BrickHead

Is the 3.3 liter engine in the '04 ES330 louder than the 3.0 liter engine in the '03 ES300? I am curious because some RX330 owners have commented the 3.3 L engine being more rough and loud. Has any ES owner noticed this?

Push

Its probaly the same, just bigger engine, most drivers won't even notice a difference in sound.

gs400jon

The engine on the ES330 is quiet and smooth. I don't know how it compares to the ES 300. The RX330 definitely has a deeper exhaust note than the ES330. I was surprised to hear the louder exhaust when driving the RX330. I think a different muffler is being used to give a more masculine rumble, if you will. The RX300 has long had the reputation of being a woman's car and Lexus wants to get away from that. Also, the RX330 has five more horses than the ES330 which means the engines aren't identical 3.3 liter engines unless, a more free flowing exhaust system is where the extra power is picked up.