RCsGX

What?

I pass plenty of people and my '05 isnt sluggish in the least bit at highway speeds. I have no vibrations either...sounds like you need some new suspension parts and / or an alignment.

cdew002

Agree with RC - I love mashing the pedal and feeling the V8 kick in...

MSGX470

Second that, or third, my 08' is quite peppy. And the sound of the V8 is awesome when you really get into it. Not going to get that in an RX, I have driven both and the first thing I noticed was visibility in the RX is very poor while the GX's visibility, especially out the rear is excellent. Sitting up high has advantages plus if you ever need to traverse snow, mud, sand or just make a u-turn across a median to avoid traffic you can do so in confidence in a GX.

z0lt3c

iTrader: (1)

Remember this is a comparison between two vehicles.

RX350 HP 275hp around 4200lbs 0-60 mph 6.4
GX470 HP 235hp around 5000lbs 0-60 mph 7.6

The RX350 is clearly a faster vehicle, with more power and less weight with a lower center of gravity. I was being kind by describing the difference as 'sluggish' -- The GX is down right under powered by modern standards when a basic Jeep w/ a 6 cylinder engine can make around 300hp.

infinirx

I don't really understand this argument as a stock RX is WAYYYYY too high in the air and has too thin of wheels. It's really dangerous in my opinion on the off ramp compared to a wider, lower car. Even has a rolling warning in the sun visors. The RX is pretty sluggish till you put an intake and exhaust to add some torque. It's that Lexus inhibits the flow of air so badly it's almost underpowered but it's not. It's just inhibited to get MPG.

MSGX470

True, until 2005 when the GX470's output was increased to 263hp and more importantly, at least as far as acceleration is concerned, is the 320 lb-ft of torque producing 0-60 runs near 7 sec. and quarter mile times of 15.5 sec. VS. the RX with just 260 lb-ft.(being generous) at about 15.2 sec. quarter mile.

Not trying to say the GX is faster, I just don't think there is enough of a difference to choose one or the other based solely on speed, we are talking tenths of a second. If you want something fast you should be looking at different vehicles. However, I think all things considered the GX's performance is exceptional. What the GX "lacks" in speed it makes up for in capability.

Additionally, just for fun, I would love to see someone attach a two ton boat behind each and make a head to head quarter mile pass; my money is on the GX.
Youtube here we come!
Who's down for some real world testing?

SouthernSS

lets not sell the GX470 short, I thought the VVT-I variant produced 271 hp at 4800 rpm with 315 lbf·ft of torque at 3400 rpm. Regardless, its the combination of rugged good lucks, increased drive height, and towing capability that make the GX a winner in my book.

lets put it this way.....if you're NEVER going to see anything other than pavement or tow anything heavier than a couple of jet skis, get the RX....if you need something "beefier" (like my wife says) get the GX

dandg

I/we own both a 04 RX330 (wife's) and a 08 GX470 (mine) I know mine is faster off the line then hers and has better passing power on the highway.

Much different ride,the RX is a AWD crossover and has more car like feel for me,the GX is full time 4WD,sits higher and rides firmer with more power from the V8.
You should go drive both, I also drove the X5 (nice SUV as well)before a bought my GX a couple months ago. I have had Jeep GC Limited (which also had the V8's).

MSGX470

Correct, 05, 06, 07 produced 270hp although the 08-09 Lexus stated hp dropped to 263hp, I think it may have had something to do with emissions?

Spot on, SouthernSS

GX = Truck
RX = Car

Johnny Rad

No difference in hp from '05 onward, just a reporting difference.
New industry-wide hp rating standard was the "cause" for so-called lower hp.
Same motor. Same output. Now the industry follows a standard protocol for rating hp.

Can we get some legit evidence of "near 7sec" 0-60mph dashes and 1/4mi times that are almost spot on to the RX?! I'm betting this is more wishful thinking than reality for our two and a half ton SUV's, but remain open-minded. Shoot!

hypervish

This video is near 9 sec to 60 mph. I believe the GX starts to move at 4 sec, once the brake is released, and it hits 60 around 13 sec.


In this video, the run is about 8 sec to 60 mph. The GX starts to move at 10 sec, and comes to 60mph by around 18 sec.

For comparison, here's an RX350 (2007), it ran 6.67 sec from 0-60 mph according to the title.


And, a 2010 RX350, which ran nearly an identical time to the 2007 from 0-60 mph. This RX was running 87 octane, while the 2010 model year was recommended to run on premium, so it can likely run a bit faster than what's being done here. (please, let's not debate on octane, I was just putting that info. out there)

infinirx

Please don't let my thread become a debate over 0-60 for two snails debate!?!?!?!?!? It's kind of a dumb debate and not really what I was asking about. We are not taking IS 250's here....

MSGX470

Thanks for bringing us back down to earth! To answer your original question directly:
I would say purchasing an RX you are missing out on...

1. Visibility
2. Interior Space
3. Towing
4. Off Road Capability

If two or more of these factors are important you should seriously consider a GX, just my opinion.

infinirx

Thanks for that.

I am already driving an 2005 RX330.
- Visibility is great compared to a car. It's as high as any truck or SUV.
- Good interior space, just not enough storage space for my camera gear.
- I would not ever try to tow anything big on an RX. Just does not seem safe
- I don't plan on heavy off roading but yeah not the RX.

cdew002

No it's not. There are about 4 major blind spots, not to mention the rear tailgate window.