RX 450h Towing??
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Discussion

Frankychops

Original Poster:

1,845 posts

32 months

Sunday 16th March 2025
quotequote all
factory warrant is nearly up on our xc90(2019 car that was 'volvo selekt').

Volvo want £1400 a year for an extended warranty. The cars not been faultless so I'm not wanting it without a warranty.

Apart from normal large family use, it does get used to tow a horse trailer, all up weight of about 1750kg, every sat am for around 20 miles.

I can't really see past getting a Lexus rx450H, as I can get a 2020 year for the same WBAC as the volvo, along with a the lexus 10year warranty.

anything else I should consider? I guess around £30ish K.

Phunk

2,090 posts

194 months

Sunday 16th March 2025
quotequote all
My dad has a 2010 RX450h that he uses to tow his caravan of a similar weight. Averages around 20mpg when towing.

Plenty of power and pulls well, his has air suspension which helps too.

Only thing to watch is the low nose weight of 75kg, this may be different for newer models.

He’s had it about 10 years, never put a foot wrong apart from last weekend where we had to replace a couple of boot struts.

Frankychops

Original Poster:

1,845 posts

32 months

Sunday 16th March 2025
quotequote all
The xc90 isn't great on fuel on short trips, will do 40ish on a long long run, however only low 20's normally.

Frankychops

Original Poster:

1,845 posts

32 months

Sunday 16th March 2025
quotequote all
This is what I was looking at, although its over priced.

https://used.lexus.co.uk/approved-used/lexus-rx-su...

Pickle_Rick

696 posts

83 months

Sunday 16th March 2025
quotequote all
The xc90 was voted most unreliable car last year, so not surprised you want shot of it. The fall of volvo since Chinese ownership has been sad to see.


I can see the appeal of a lexus due to potential 10 year warranty, just be aware servicing prices are v expensive at lexus (my NX was £800 for a minor service with 2 new discs and pads some 6 years ago, probably £1000 now) . Lexus don't negotiate on price, but if you can get a year or two servicing thrown in that's worth over £1000.

grudas

1,382 posts

191 months

Monday 17th March 2025
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I have a 2010 rx450, not towing with it but it's been a good car.

650 for major service - every other year
260 for minor - every other year

hybrid battery still ok after major check, at 130k miles.

totally recommended.


andy43

12,574 posts

277 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
If you’re buying a Lexus under ten years old you probably already know you can get another years warranty with a dealer service - that’s partly why services can be a touch pricey - mine are 400-odd and 700-odd over alternate years (LC500).
It also means buying a car from a main dealer might not make sense if there are cheaper private sale cars available - the vast majority have full dealer history and therefore a warranty anyway, they’re just that kind of car.

paralla

5,160 posts

158 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
A Mazda CX-60 has a longer wheelbase than the Lexus, a drive mode specifically for towing that aids stability, an 8 speed auto rather than a CVT, a (braked trailer) tow rating of 2500kg with a ball weight of 100kg.

Both 3.3L Diesel and 2.5L PHEV's are available within the £30K budget, Homura and Takumi spec are suprisingly refined and luxurious.

Frankychops

Original Poster:

1,845 posts

32 months

Tuesday 18th March 2025
quotequote all
That’s a good shout. Only 3 year warranty in the uk but 6 in the eu!?

Down on the Farm

231 posts

76 months

Tuesday 18th March 2025
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Just regarding the Lexus 10 year warranty be aware although there is some leeway on mileage and time limits for the first 3 years warranty the subsequent years do not have any leeway to keep the remaining 7 year warranty! Not even a day late so you would need to check the service history is within time / mileage limits for the warranty to be intact.

My Lexus dealer has been superb, by the way. Better experience all round than Merc, BMW, Audi.

Matt_T

1,136 posts

97 months

Tuesday 18th March 2025
quotequote all
Does it make more sense to buy a family car without towing limit (like a Sante Fe / Sorento at £25k) then buy an old Hilux / LC200 (£10k) for the 20 miles once a week horse box trip?

There are a few websites that allow you to search tow cars by towing capacity etc.

Frankychops

Original Poster:

1,845 posts

32 months

Tuesday 18th March 2025
quotequote all
Matt_T said:
Does it make more sense to buy a family car without towing limit (like a Sante Fe / Sorento at £25k) then buy an old Hilux / LC200 (£10k) for the 20 miles once a week horse box trip?

There are a few websites that allow you to search tow cars by towing capacity etc.
not at all for us, its another car to insure/tax/mot park etc etc. 2 tonnes leaves plenty of headroom, just looking for a nice, reliable experience!

Matt_T

1,136 posts

97 months

Tuesday 18th March 2025
quotequote all
Frankychops said:
Matt_T said:
Does it make more sense to buy a family car without towing limit (like a Sante Fe / Sorento at £25k) then buy an old Hilux / LC200 (£10k) for the 20 miles once a week horse box trip?

There are a few websites that allow you to search tow cars by towing capacity etc.
not at all for us, its another car to insure/tax/mot park etc etc. 2 tonnes leaves plenty of headroom, just looking for a nice, reliable experience!
No probs, just asking!

How about the Toyota Highlander? Same engine/drivetrain as the most recent Lexus RX.

Otherwise you are with Land Rovers / Touaregs / X5s etc
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15656434

Edited by Matt_T on Tuesday 18th March 17:07

Frankychops

Original Poster:

1,845 posts

32 months

Wednesday 19th March 2025
quotequote all
Matt_T said:
No probs, just asking!

How about the Toyota Highlander? Same engine/drivetrain as the most recent Lexus RX.

Otherwise you are with Land Rovers / Touaregs / X5s etc
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15656434

Edited by Matt_T on Tuesday 18th March 17:07
Sorry if it came across wrong, good shout, just not what we really need/doesnt suit.

I’ve had a look at the highlander, another good one for the list

Frankychops

Original Poster:

1,845 posts

32 months

Saturday 5th April 2025
quotequote all
so by way of rounding out. Looking at every option, however the mrs took one for a drive, really liked it, so have put a deposit on this.

https://www.group1auto.co.uk/used-cars/lexus-rx-45...

Main reason also being warranty till near the end of 2012. a lack of hassle thats not to be sniffed at.

Newc

2,163 posts

205 months

Saturday 5th April 2025
quotequote all
Make sure you get the dealer to confirm they have done the anti-theft retrofits.

Without them you can essentially walk up to a Lexus, plug into the canbus inside the wheel arch, and drive away.

Frankychops

Original Poster:

1,845 posts

32 months

Saturday 5th April 2025
quotequote all
They changed the hardware for the 2022 model years.

Also not living in London helps!

Frankychops

Original Poster:

1,845 posts

32 months

Saturday 5th April 2025
quotequote all
https://mag.lexus.co.uk/lexus-uk-statement-on-vehi...

This year was updated on the hardware side,

Omegatt

52 posts

105 months

Saturday 5th April 2025
quotequote all
Frankychops said:
https://mag.lexus.co.uk/lexus-uk-statement-on-vehi...

This year was updated on the hardware side,
They did but only for new models I think the Gen 4 2022 RX is still at risk.

The latest Gen 5 which came in at the beginning of '23 is fine. As above I'd suggest the buyer checks all that can be done has been.

From a Lexus notification below:

Which models are affected by year?
Lexus models Affected years/months

Lexus LC / LC-C 2017/03 – 2024/03
Lexus RC 2017/03 – 2024/03
Lexus RX / RX L 450h 2015/10 – 2022/10
Lexus ES 2018/10 – 2024/02
Lexus GS / GS-F 2015/11 – 2020/11
Lexus NX 2017/09 – 2021/10
Lexus LS 2017/10 – 2022/09
Lexus UX / UXe 2018/10 – 2023/12

Frankychops

Original Poster:

1,845 posts

32 months

Saturday 5th April 2025
quotequote all
Omegatt said:
They did but only for new models I think the Gen 4 2022 RX is still at risk.

The latest Gen 5 which came in at the beginning of '23 is fine. As above I'd suggest the buyer checks all that can be done has been.

From a Lexus notification below:

Which models are affected by year?
Lexus models Affected years/months

Lexus LC / LC-C 2017/03 – 2024/03
Lexus RC 2017/03 – 2024/03
Lexus RX / RX L 450h 2015/10 – 2022/10
Lexus ES 2018/10 – 2024/02
Lexus GS / GS-F 2015/11 – 2020/11
Lexus NX 2017/09 – 2021/10
Lexus LS 2017/10 – 2022/09
Lexus UX / UXe 2018/10 – 2023/12
Yes, but that’s model years, as per the press release they made changes from late 21. I will check though.