Originally Posted by euroja153

Im surprised no one has mentioned this, but I just can not understand why the 4wd lock button doesnt keep the car 4wd at all speeds. Why on earth does it switch back to 2wd after 40km/h? If the conditions are bad enough for me to press the button, I want 4wd at all speeds. I guess people in less harsh climates are not concerned about this feature.

Originally Posted by jgr7

That button is not to keep it in 4 wheeel I believe the manual stated it is for if you get stuck or have traction issues. I was happy to see the button till I read the manual.

Originally Posted by jgr7

That button is not to keep it in 4 wheeel I believe the manual stated it is for if you get stuck or have traction issues. I was happy to see the button till I read the manual.

Originally Posted by eightblack

The RX is always in AWD - but when you push the 4 wheel lock button it sends up to 50% of power to rear wheels. Lexus thinks that a sophisticated set of computers coupled to ABS and traction control systems can do a better job than the average driver (which is probably true). I'm quite impressed with the all paw grip of the RX in our Colorado winters, but I am running winter tires.

Originally Posted by corradoMR2

Minor correction/clarification. The RX 350 AWD is always in FWD mode (not AWD) to help save on fuel economy, until slippage is detected (by VSC and VDIM-equipped models) then power is transferred to the rear differential for additional traction (i.e. becomes AWD). The 4 wheel lock button by the armrest allows the driver to lock the rear differential to manually enable AWD. This only works up to 25 mph (40 km/hr) afterwhich it becomes FWD again. (until slippage...)

The RX 450h has electric motors to propel the rear wheels, no mechanical differential.

Originally Posted by chuckGS350

You misread the manual. RX350 AWD is always in AWD mode. It's the engine torque the manual talks about, not the mode. The 4 wheel lock button by the armrest allows the engine to put more torque to the rear wheels. After 25 mph, the engine torque goes back to the front wheels. I believe it's 75/25 torque distribution in normal condition.

Originally Posted by Maertens

The "user interface" - does it belong to of functionality? The functionality may exist, but its usability is poor. Yes there is a clock in this car but driver can't see it. Yes, heated seats but try to find it and turn it on without looking at it, yes it has an FM radio but no way to know which station is on, yes it has pre-sets but you have to scroll through all of them to get to the one you need. Yes there is a snow mode but you have to do 3 clicks to turn it on and so on. Yes there is a big screen but it has a lot of useless and very little useful info on it. Yes the screen is high quality but the user interface is like Windows 3.0 circa 1990. Yes you can select where the heater blows but you have to go through a couple lf screens and series of clicks. Yes it has the 17 speakers ML radio but the sound is just OK.
What is good - mechanical reliability, looks, HUD, auto folding mirrors, ride, park assist, rear view cam, cargo, power tailgate, the driver seat auto-retracts back for easy exit. I am having seconds thoughts I did not go with XC60. The leather in Volvo was at least twice thicker, looked better and more durable.

I am referring to the 2010 model.