javadude

I love my 2020 3 LR despite the cosmetic issues and customer service problems I've had. I added acceleration boost option so 0-60 is 3.7s, range is 220-300, charges in 20+ mins... But I wouldn't buy another though for various reasons. I want indicators and parking sensors. They've closed my local service centre (Reading) so any warranty issues would mean an hour's drive to somewhere like Winchester. I've owned 4 Lexus cars and would buy another if they had a good NX/IS sized EV. I would have done 4 years ago but they didn't have one then and still don't so I'm still waiting. UX is too small, RZ wouldn't fit in our garage.

They are meant to be better built these days, although quality and comfort is not on Lexus level. I've not heard so many issues on the Tesla FB group. Since they've been built in China they've been better quality (than the US ones). Some things to be aware of: They no longer come with indicator stalks. These have been replaced with buttons and I've heard mix reviews from owners from "not as good as stalks but you get used to them" to " my wife hates them and won't drive the car". The buttons aren't so great on roundabouts as they obviously move with the steering wheel. Some people have complained that they need a firm push or pushing in the right place. Best have a test drive and see what you think. Parking sensors have been removed and now the cameras are used to give a rough idea of obstacles. The front camera is at the top of the windscreen so accuracy at the front is not great. Auto-windscreen wipers can be a bit hit and miss as they use the cameras again instead of proper sensors. I've found mine work pretty well recently. The over the air updates do mean things like this should improve over time, although you get the occasional bug. Auto-steer on the motorway is great, when it works which is most of the time. Occassionally it will try to steer you off a slip road if the road markings are worn. You can just use adaptive cruise control without it though. Customer service is variable and nothing like Lexus standard. eg Rangers fixing the car on your drive is great but I've had an issue where it took multiple appointments because they didn't have the part, had the wrong part etc. Efficiency, range, performance and charge speed are all excellent as is the charging network and the cars have a CCS plug like every other modern EV except for the UX 300e. Dog mode is very useful if you have a dog (or child)

I think my NX had a button you pressed on the interior sensor to disable it before closing the door but that was a 2015 NX300h and it was a few years ago so my memory is a bit fuzzy. My current car has a dog mode which you can set in car or via app that disables the interior sensor, displays a "driver back soon" message with the interior temp, keeps the air con running and allows you to keep an eye on the dog in the app via an internal camera. I'd hope other new cars can manage something similar or I'm going to be missing it when I change next.

You'll find that pretty much every other EV on the market has a CCS connector and faster charge speed.

My 2008 RX400h was really nice. I changed to a 2015 NX300h and it was similar sized. The newer RX is bigger (and wouldn't fit in our garage). NX had newer tech than the RX400h and was nicer in many respects. Handling was better round corners but a hit harsh after the RX. Seats were still good but not as comfortable as the RX. Comfort: RX won, Toys: NX won.

Same 😞

The IS220d Sport did have a different gear ratio. Non-sport really lacked flexibility in 6th on the motorway at 70mph. Go up a hill and you'd be dropping to 5th. The sport, which I had, was much better. The downside was poorer MPG though. I'd get 40 mpg on a long journey if I was really careful. It had super-duper clean diesel engine tech that impacted the fuel economy sadly. I loved mine. Loads of torque and the usual Lexus quality and comforts. It did have some fuelly thingy sorted under warranty. Buying again I'd have probably gone for the IS250 to be honest. Not that I'd buy a petrol or diesel even as a hybrid these days.

Bluetooth is meant to be safer from intercept/replay. That might be one reason why very few Tesla 3/Y have been stolen as you use your phone as the key with blutooth rather than a traditional radio keyfob. Having said that I do what you do and disable blutooth. If you haven't done so already then you can set up an automation with both iphone and android to switch off bluetooth at a certain time or linked to your sleep mode.

🤑That's a very nice export rate.

We export our excess solar with Octopus for 15p/kWh and charge the car for 7.5p/kWh overnight. It's only a small saving but over the years it'll add up.

The Kia e-Niro I test drove was very nice. Better than my NX. And the EV6 might be my next car if Lexus haven't got their act together on EVs by then.

Charging at public chargers used to be occasionally free and usually cheaper than petrol. Tesla Superchargers are often still cheaper than petrol but with the rise in electricity prices with the Ukraine war, 20% vat and large amount of capital investment in new chargers its usually around petrol prices to charge away from home. If you can mostly charge at home then its about 10% the price of petrol but for those that can't cheaper fuel is not a draw towards EVs at the moment. Then there's all the ridiculous FUD spread in the media and online from people who are just proving their lack of knowledge. That puts people off too. I keep being told by friends who've never driven an EV and needed to charge one that the infrastruture isn't there yet. It depends on where you are and your usage but I've never had a problem charging away from home.

Seem to be more difficult to steal from what I hear (as long as you have "pin to drive" enabled) although high insurance groups because of the performance.

Or buy a brand new Tesla 3 for £39,990 with a range of 318 miles, 0-60 in 5.8 sec and access to the Tesla supercharger network.

I wouldn't say 10 years behind but yeah they're still playing catch up with the competition. The RZ is very nice inside, better than my 3, don't know about an X. It will suit some people who aren't too bothered with range, charge speed or performance and just want a nice car. As a car its good, but there plenty of better EVs out there. I see that Lexus are planning better in 2026, which is about a decade too late but will be interesting to see what they produce: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/lexus-ev-concept-tokyo

I used to get really good service from Lexus Reading although its been 3 years since my last experience of them.

Good point. I thought the Y was a bit smaller, certainly the X and Y are more aerodynamic at the front. Excuses aside Lexus do have a way to go. Hopefully their third EV will be better... whatever/whenever that arrives...

It's huge and not very aerodynamic so its no surprise. If you want efficency then a saloon would be better. It's a shame they're not doing an IS or RS EV. Apart from that its a very nice car. The interior is a nice place to be.

No. Is it something to do with lemon cake?

The plus side is you can pick up a used Tesla pretty cheap these days which is good news for some. As mentioned the insurance can be high, one reason being the insurance group (my LR is group 50) but it depends on circumstances: I pay £760 but I'm 55 which helps.

I used to think the same. I had an IS200 with big exhaust and induction kit and it was fun. My Tesla is more fun with the g force of acceleration and instant response. No gears, no faff, just linear acceleration and buckets of power/torque whenever you want it. It's AWD with Mitchelin Pro Sport 4s and just sticks to the road. I find being about to do 0-60 in about 3.7s in near silence makes me smile. (Best done on a quiet dry road and I do tend to keep to the speed limit, just have fun getting there sometimes.) For me now the noise of old ICE cars now seems a bit well... pathetic, even BTCC and F1 which I enjoy. When I'm just cruising, which is most of the time, the acceleration, silence and one pedal driving make it effortless and relaxing to drive. I'd never go back even if it cost me more to run.

The yellow ones are pretty rare.

Sadly there is no analogue input in the console of an RX400h.

Having to queue to charge is rare in my experience. I've only had to wait once and that was at the small/busy gatwick SC site and only for a couple of mins. Next time I did charge near there I charged while going to the toilet at Peas Pottage services where they have a row of new ultra rapids. This autumn there's a new charging forecort going in near the airport with 36 chargers so I'll give that a try if I need a charge. Also if you're stopping anyway then you just charge while you do whatever you're doing. It just takes the time it takes to plug in and start the charge, no standing around at a smelly petrol pump and queuing while someone pays for their latte and chooses their lottery numbers. Wafting along in near silence is pretty awesome though. I'm looking forward to Lexus producing a fast/efficient EV saloon or medium sized SUV that has all the comforts and build quality we've come to expect.

I had one for 3 years. I'd come from an RX400h so the 4 cyclinder engine seemed noisy and a bit feeble but apart from that it was a lovely car and had no issues with it in the time I owned it. I wouldn't worry about 40k mileage at all. Lexus cars are very robust and seem to be well looked after, at least the four I bought second-hand had been.