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One look at the weight as well as being awd, 15-20 mpg for a mid size 6 cylinder cuv w/ awd. IDK if you even checked out a 400h or a 450h, if your looking at better mileage. I'd pass on any cvt equipped vehicle, even thou they're suppose to get better mileage. My wife loves this vehicle as a couple of her g/f's have them as well......
One look at the weight as well as being awd, 15-20 mpg for a mid size 6 cylinder cuv w/ awd. IDK if you even checked out a 400h or a 450h, if your looking at better mileage. I'd pass on any cvt equipped vehicle, even thou they're suppose to get better mileage. My wife loves this vehicle as a couple of her g/f's have them as well......
I have the 450h. It drinks a lot of oil @150k, but is otherwise a much better choice for a family car.
I also have a Toyota Sienna minivan and it is far and above a better family vehicle. The RX is more sporting (sporting being a relative term) but the added space in the minivan makes it a MUCH better people mover. Same drivetrain but programmed for regular gas, 4WD, all the bells and whistles and then some, all the same problems but much more room, a softer ride and three row seating! It's also MUCH cheaper to acquire as no one wants to be seen in a minivan!
I also have a Toyota Sienna minivan and it is far and above a better family vehicle. The RX is more sporting (sporting being a relative term) but the added space in the minivan makes it a MUCH better people mover. Same drivetrain but programmed for regular gas, 4WD, all the bells and whistles and then some, all the same problems but much more room, a softer ride and three row seating! It's also MUCH cheaper to acquire as no one wants to be seen in a minivan!
2021 RX350 can be configured with third row bench seat, designed for regular gas, all wheel drive, and MORE bells and whistles than a soccer mom's wagon, an extremely soft ride. Go configure one. Not cheap, but certainly luxurious and classy.
The Sienna and my gen 1 Highlander are definitely better at "budget family hauling" due to their better practicality and cheaper price tags. However, at least where I live. People forget how fast these are, and the early 350s are pretty darn cheap and a lot of car for the money. Toyota's awesome 3.5 L 2GR-FE V6 with lots of tuning capability, likely 91 octane was used and the car was probably babied and serviced at Lexus, same chassis as my Highlander which is an easy platform to work on and parts are cheap, capability for good handling (Yes, there are surprisingly suspension mods available for it). Finally, I bet you could easily tune that engine to make more power and let it run on 87 no problem. My 3rd gen runs on 87 all day and runs beautifully.
Realistically the title of this thread should of said a great $8000-$12.000 around $10K mid sized reliable luxury cuv/suv.....If you'd be looking a family vehicle, I'd think of a 3 row, such as a mini van, Tahoe, Expo, ect. would be a better fit.....
03-30-21, 12:58 PM
Second-Gen Lexus RX350 Is the Perfect Budget Family Hauler
