I decided to go out for a test drive today.
I drove two RX's - a RX350 Premium Plus and a RX350h Premium Plus.
As I mentioned in the other thread, I can definitely see why the hybrid is the preferred powertrain. Both powertrains are pretty slow by 2024 standards (mid 7 sec 0-60 time), so you may as well choose the one that is quieter and smoother. Even with the usual CVT drone, the hybrid powertrain is a lot quieter than the turbocharged 4 in the RX350.
For the record, the RX350's turbocharged motor performed very well with no turbo lag. The 8AT programming was reasonable. I have no complaints, but it feels like every other turbocharged 4 on the market today; nothing special.
This generation of RX is definitely sportier. It is still quiet and rides well, but it definitely doesn't have the cushy feel of the last two gens. Depending on the buyer, this can be a bad thing. Both of the vehicles I drove had the 21" wheels.
Lastly, I think the gap between Toyota and Lexus products continues to close. CUV's are easily costing over $40K nowadays, and regardless of brand, buyers spending this amount of money demand quality interiors, good NVH characteristics and technology features. At one point, one could argue that buying a Lexus meant significant upgrades over the comparable Toyota product. Nowadays, I am not so sure....the differences are minor at best.