geko29

I don't get how you say the RX350 has no power. At 270hp and 3900lbs, it does 0-60 in 7.3 seconds. Not lightning fast, but more than respectable (and a third of a second quicker than the Pilot) for a family hauler. People who want a dose of Corvette in their SUV aren't buying the RX, but VASTLY more expensive models such as the Cayenne Turbo, X5 4.6/4.8is, ML55 AMG, or, if they don't care about luxury, the Grand Cherokee SRT-8. The RX350 is PLENTY powerful for what it is.

The G Man

I test drove and ahve friends that have the pilot, I also owned a 03 MDX. The MDX and the pilot both have very attractive packages up front. Both car are poorly engineered except for the engine. If you are a member of a Honda Acura forum, you should be well aware of Honda and ACura's transmission problems. They had recalls and have extended unsatified customer's transmission warrenties over this issue. Unlike I have already mentioned a number of times, Honda makes good cars but they dont know hoe to make truck. I notice a decline in quality on the Honda car in the recent years. The MDX and the pilot are relieable suv, but the poorly built comment comes from the transmission issue and a host of little problems that doesnt materialize til the 2nd or 3rd years. Auto magazines will not pick up on that. The MDX use ok built material, as up to par with Lexus, but the Pilot's interior is full of cheap plastic material. To each his own I guess, dollor for dollar, the pilot did have alot to offer at first.

mandyfig

You are absolutely right. The Honda can not compare to Toyota, they are a close second though, they try their best! So, more competition, we as consumers win.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I thought my cousins 05 MDX was just as well built and better in some parts than my 04 RX330. They never had any transmission problems so can't comment there. Honda/Acura only had one bad transmission line and that was the one mated to the J series V6. All their other transmission are great IMHO. Unfortunately, they use that transmission in many different cars thus the reason why people think a lot of their tranny's are bad. The same thing is happening to the Toyota Camry/RX/ES tranny.

Anyway, the way I judge fit and finish is how everything is put together where the eyes can't see. So far since I modify a lot of my cars and install aftermarket A/V systems in them, I have taken apart the interiors of most of the cars I own. I really can't say the RX uses any greater materials than other typical higher end cars. What Lexus does best IMHO is the appearance of those materials. Take them apart and look at the back of them and you see your typical plastic panel with the same feel as others. From the otherside though it looks good.

For fit and finish, Lexus used to always be better than almost anyone. Lately though that is not always the case. The way I see it, Lexus is still the leader in the industry, but they have gone done a step while others like Honda/Acura, Infiniti/Nissan has gone up a few steps. The gap is much closer now. I'd put the fit and finish of the new RL up against everything Lexus has except maybe the LS460.

That said, I'd take an RX350 over a Pilot anyway. The new MDX; however, is a different story. But then again, the RX should be redesigned in a year or two.

AM1

iTrader: (6)

^^^ all of that is 100percent right. i just didnt feel like writing it all down, but i agree. the dealer even admitted that the tranny problem is in all the FWD lexus models which is the ES and rX and most likely the other toyotas that use the fwd and tranny combo. even infiniti which has always gotten criticism for their fit and finish is as good as lexus now.

mandyfig

Lately, you hear more about fit and finish issues with Japan made cars...shows you that the price pressure is forcing Japan to cut come corners....maybe, this is speculation. With the China pressure, it is going to get worse.

cip

Wouldn't a more fair comparison be:

Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot &
Lexus RX350 vs. Acura MDX?

I'm interested in this one because my wife really likes the MDX, but when I get RX350 loaners, she likes those, too

I have not noticed the trans problems on the RX350, only the ES350 loaners I've recieved

The G Man

Thats the problem with making hundreds of millions of car a year, its hard to control quality.

silvervett

I am pretty sure the RX400H with beat the Cayenne

mandyfig

That's the challenge for Toyota to be #1 and keep # 1 is a HUGE task. While being competitive is selling price. I feel the price pressure, I work for a 2nd Tier supplier to the OEM's, we supply to Honda, Toyota, Nissan, GM, Ford, BMW, Saab, etc.. through 1st Tier Suppliers like JCI, TI auto, Denso, Omron, Bosch, etc..

Lexmex

In Mexico, a Honda Pilot is considered a luxury vehicle due to cost. In the states the spread might be 27 to 35K USD, but in Mexico...about $35 to 40K USD...and that's just the price, we also have absurd auto taxes called tenencias that can be 10% or more per year of the value of your vehicle and insurance is 2x that of the U.S.

AM1

iTrader: (6)

you make it seem like the rx400h is really fast or something its NOT. put it up against the cayenne turbo S................or even the regular v8 cayenne.

The G Man

The RX350 is only a half of second slower than the v8 cayenne S in 0-60, which is not bad at all for a car thats half of the price. The cayenne turbo should not even be mentioned since its about 3 times the price, but then again, the RX is not built for speed and the Porsche is.

iobidder

Based on what? I disagree!

Lexmex

A V6 Cayenne will lose to the RX350 AND my RX300.