UCSB

Here in N. CA I went with FWD. A good friend of mine has the exact same RX as mine except an AWD model. In fact, he purchased his first and I liked his car and just bought the same vehicle. We were discussing FWD vs AWD the other day after his 10,000 mile service and he said he thought the AWD system was just extra weight to drag around. So only get it if you need it. I went with FWD because when I purchased the 450h I wanted the best mileage I could get. The FWD works flawlessly. I wouldn't take my RX up in the snow ... I own a Subaru Outback with a real AWD system for ski trips and vacations.

Here in CA they put chain requirements on roads when it snows. You have to use chains with FWD, but can not use chains with AWD. If I was driving in snow, I would get the AWD model to avoid the use of chains. My family is from MN. I don't remember chain requirements up there, but it has been a long time since I was in MN in the winter. We just drove normal FWD and RWD vehicles in MN during those years. It wasn't a big deal, but if I was living year around up there I would definitely own something like my Subaru Outback (AWD, plus 22 City, 29 HWY). I can easily get 30 to 33 MPG on the freeway with the Subaru.

Remember in addition to the initial $1,500, you will be paying an addition few hundred extra dollars in gas every year. Gas prices are moving back up above $4.00 here in the San Francisco bay area. Projections of gas prices approaching $5.00 in my area have been discussed as a possibility by summer.

NC244GLT

We have an awd, and after driving both the fwd and ours, we feel the awd has better "composure" on the road. It seems to corner a little better, plus we have relatives in Cleveland, Ohio and travel back in the winter months. We became fans of awd after owning several Subaru vehicles and driving alot in heavy snows without any issues. Very happy with our choice on this one...my wife loves her RX!

GRPFAN

Same could hold true for extended warranty's

Sfcyclist

Well put UCSB, and also along with the extra weight is loss in performance. I clearly felt the AWD's increased weight in all facets, acceleration, braking and handling during test driving.

It's also interesting watching commercials selling it as a safety feature. I just can't see how one would need to accelerate to get out of a situation.

NTL, if you climate conditions need it, get it.

Johnknee

I would get AWD. Better safe than sorry when you do get a lot of snow and get stuck.

Cibalo

the dealership had AWD marked $500 more than FWD down in Texas. don't really need it for the roads that much but those few times when it does snow or ice and the entire state shuts down it will be nice to have.

also will come in handy when the zombies come

BertL

Yup, completely agree with you. I don't really need AWD living here in mostly sunny Southern California, but I give up 1 MPG for the safety aspect and piece of mind. While I prefer my very-fun-to-drive SLK if I'm only taking one passenger, my RX is the vehicle I always drive even solo, if there is the possibility of inclement weather. My AWD RX is hands-down the better choice over my sporty RWD in icy or somewhat flooded road conditions. ...well, and in my case with a RX450h, I get a tad better 0-60 when the ICE and both electric engines kick in. Yee-ha!

DweN

AWD system work not only for snow but it always monitors wheels for stability.
Below video explains for Toyota but I think it's the same thing for Lexus.

salimshah

I stay away from the roads as much as I can when that happens .. partially because I am not adept in driving in snow/ice and mostly because I want to be away from other drivers, who do not adapt to the road conditions.

Safety includes, protecting your self from others.

Salim