10 REASONS WHY LEXUS 450h+ IS BETTER THAN TOYOTA RAV4 PRIME // ENGINEER'S FULL REVIEW

This is the battle of two Plug-in Hybrid SUVs: 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ compared against the Toyota RAV4 Prime. Is it worth paying extra for the Lexus NX vs the RAV4 Prime? Automotive Engineer David Chao does a very detailed comparison and provides 10 reasons why he thinks it's worth paying premium to buy the Lexus NX 450h+. Full comparison includes quality checks inside and out.

Automotive Press is owned and managed by David Koichi Chao, a global expert in the field of automotive evaluation, consulting, and strategy. David is known around the world as an authentic specialist of Lean Thinking or Toyota Production System. Born and raised in Japan, David has an engineering degree from University of British Columbia and post-graduate education from MIT and Harvard Business School in Boston.

[averagejoesbackyardgarden]

10 reasons I got the prime over the nx:
1. More fuel efficient
2. Roomier interior
3. Quicker from 0-60
4. Better pricing
5. Has spare tire
6. Rugged/sportier look
7. More storage space
8. Uses regular gas
9. Physical buttons on screen
10. More economical to operate

[rickelliott]

My wife’s 2015 Toyota RAV4 has 115k on the clock and has been absolutely bullet proof. Would buy another one tomorrow

[patricksoon]

The Lexus 450h+ is more expensive, has higher maintenance costs, uses premium gas, has less EV range, is less efficient, has slower 0-60 acceleration, has less interior cabin room, has less clearance, and lacks a spare tire compared to the RAV4Prime. Those are pretty big differences. The rest of it comes down to looks, the door latches, and infotainment. There are some who say the Lexus is quieter too (but it's probably not by much).

[kvmanchow]

Got my 450h+ yesterday (USA) and LOVING it so far 😎❤️

[mikej]

and you can't buy either one as there are none available anywhere. 1 to 2 year waiting lists

[stevebucciacchio]

Great review. Funny, I actually prefer the exterior styling of the RAV4 especially the XSE version thanks to it’s gorgeous wheels. Also, it looks like the 2023 RAV4 XSE is getting the same 12.5” digital cluster and the infotainment display is going to be 1” bigger than the 2022 model but still smaller the one in the Lexus.

[chewie]

I like the RAV4 Prime more because I agree with you- roomier interior, quicker 0-60, bigger cargo area, regular gas, less expensive to maintain, more fuel efficient, better sportier look, physical buttons, spare tire and also have heads up display. But the inside of the Lexus have better seats.

[craigyamasaki]

I have not looked at the NX, but on the surface, there are 3 things I don't like compared to the RAV4 Prime. Two that you mentioned, the price and the slightly less EV range, and my third would be lack of physical spare tire. My understanding is that the NX does not have or even offer a spare tire but only an inflation kit. No spare may not be a problem around town, but I don't like the idea of no spare when travelling distance.

[badpurvis]

Right now, my local Toyota dealer is adding $5000.00 “market value” to MSRP. The Lexus sealer is not. That makes the difference in actual cost much lower. Looks like I’ll wait about 45 days for my NX450h+.

[jskaggs]

The biggest problem with the NX is I can’t afford it. I bought the RAV4 and don’t regret it. I also saved a ton of cash.

[EL-]

I’m debating between these two cars. Your review helped me tons. 👍🏻

[donnalmich]

My son just leased a Phev (BMW), he loves it, its both electric and gasoline, so he can run all his errands with the electric, and than for road trips, he can use the gasoline. Is the Lexus like my sons car? A phev?

[robertwenrenyeh]

I never knew you were based in my city. It is too late to order the NX450+ I would have to wait until 2024, and I have been in line for the RAV4 Prime since the winter of 2020.

[edgherr]

i owned the nx450 plug in.its been 2 years my ev range went to 53 from 37 mi when i purchased.53mi during summer 46mi during winter..

[payrocoin]

I've been in love with the design of the Rav4 Prime since I first saw it. The ONLY reason why I didn't try to get one was due to the lack of interior color options. I wanted a Rav4 Prime in a white exterior with nutmeg interior color combination but the Prime only comes with a black interior. I told myself that I would never own another vehicle with a black interior. A black interior is like a sauna in the summer and an ice cave in the winter. I hope Toyota rectifies that in the next iteration of the Rav4 Prime.

[jonharry]

The Rav is a far better car good value for money 😮

[donaldbanner]

…..Glad you LOVE this own the 2022 450h+ F sport..Note the Heads Up display on the windshield W/14” Crystal clear display on both, alone makes the Lexus is In Atomic Silver Glows in the Sun Light with Lil" grey metal flake" and same Circut Red interior.. but with Electric battery...Has 306 Horse power 0 to 60 in 5.6 sec (Via Road and track at drag strip!.) This model DOES- NOT have a TURBO...But rather, a Naturally aspirated / because it is well known that TURBOS stress engines)...simply said: see euro cars shop time!....this car combines the Elec Batt and engine to achieve *89 miles per Gallon in Hybred mode with HIGH torq, And VERY quick out of the hole...Jus' blew the doors off a 735i beemer...albeit for only a block ...( I am no dummy a V* will eventually pass many cars in the long dist. (in all fairness)

who cares the thrill is initial take off and tickets are for high speed & SPEED...Kill's! My car has Red Calipers against Powder coated Gloss spoke Black mags and All red "F" Sport FAR better built than euro's (mine built in Japan) sadly, new releases are now being made in Canada! Like USA Union shops...no one gets fired for a hang over and bad work??? However, Lexus is Far more reliable...Far better Re-Sale that Euro beemers or mine has Gone UP in price...Not many cars you can find Like that!... IF YOU CAN FIND ONE ANYWHERE do grab (3) elec. motors gett'n 0 to 60 in 5.6 sec (road and track) HIGH torque QUICK out of do I use gett'n 43 miles per 120 Volt charge (real world driving my experience.) and NEVER USE GAS....and almost Silent operation in elec....So do your this is Far better than any European beemer or mercedes that are depreciating the moment you drive off the lot BIG TIME! And are un- reliable offering to say nothing of the GAS HOG unproven G 70, & RDX not worth mentioning. Z Best of the BEST F Sport 450h+ !

….One more thing, Jus' a heads wife drives the RX 2020 model...Consider putting Michelins on your NX 450h+ F and away EVEN a much smoother ride Much better ride than the HARD Run Flat Bridgestones that come stock. Carry a Batt. quality inflator ( DeWalt 20V MAX Corded/Cordless Air Inflator ) and string tar impregnated rope insert-er and Do-Not wait for AAA.

[graham]

I have deposits on the Rav4 Prime (summer 2021), Rav4 Hybrid (spring 2022), and NX350h (spring 2022). The NX is about $10k more than the top of the line Rav4. I think the NX features, interior refinement, warranty, etc is worth around that $10k difference. Personally I'd save the money on the Rav4 but I'll likely end up getting the NX350h because the wait is 4-6 months vs 1.5-2 years for the Rav4 Hybrid and 3-5 years for the Rav4 Prime. Considering I'll be saving around $5k/year on gas compared to my current car the extra year+ wait makes it worth the difference.

The NX450h+ really seems like a bad value when you consider it's $10k more AND you don't get the $6.5 rebate. $16.5k more is way too much IMO.

[artemaung]

Rav4 hybrid is a $30-35k LE, XLE and XLE Premium is affordable and incredibly versatile AWD vehicle with fuel efficiency better than 5 year old cars and more cargo space than most comparably prices SUV's and the cheapest insurance cost for a hybrid vehicle in US. (cheaper than any other hybrid in US).

Rav4 Prime is a better and more powerful rav4 but for a whooping $10k more money. It's definitely worth it with $7500 federal incentive, but when it is cut to half $3750 (like right now) or a quarter $1875 (9 months from now) it is a simply vehicle competing in a different price bracket and couldn't compete with rav4 hybrid, instead it competes with Lexus NX and loses.

[marklinked]

I wasn’t convinced about both, until u did the punch test. Am sold