I just came from an independent dealer and I asked them if their 99 RX300 was a FWD or AWD model, they had no idea what I was talking about. Is there any way visually to tell the difference between a FWD and AWD?

Thanks in advance!

 

slightly off topic, but i use "FWD" as front wheel drive. i know this post intends "FWD" to mean four wheel drive, but i use "4WD" for that.

to my knowledge, AWD is full-time 4WD (e.g. 911, audi quattro, certain subarus). thus, if you don't see a 4WD button/switch/gear in the console and if you don't see a plain (no drive train housing) front or rear axle from the bottom, then it's AWD.

 

Look behind the RX. Look underneath and if there's no rear differential or axles it's a front wheel drive model.

All the FWD RX300's I've seen had cloth interiors and no sunroof.

 

I happen to have a front drive RX, and it came with leather, and a sunroof, and for good measure a Nak sound sys. So there!

 

Billyboy, i dont want to start anything but i dont think that LexusTech was dissin owners of front wheel drive RX's or the RX's themselves. I think he was just helping out olivher.

 

I haven't seen but one other RX with cloth interior. It really depends on the area you are and what your dealer orders. LexusTech is exactly right, the best (probably only) way to tell if an RX is AWD it to look under the RX b/t the rear tires for a differential.

Also, the '99-'00 RX's had TRAC (traction control) as an option for front wheel drive models only, so if it has TRAC then it is front wheel. The '01's are a different story as they have VSC.

 

I haven't seen but one other RX with cloth interior. It really depends on the area you are and what your dealer orders. LexusTech is exactly right, the best (probably only) way to tell if an RX is AWD it to look under the RX b/t the rear tires for a differential.

Also, the '99-'00 RX's had TRAC (traction control) as an option for front wheel drive models only, so if it has TRAC then it is front wheel. The '01's are a different story as they have VSC.