Been looking at getting an upgrade in the next couple of years (own a 2nd Gen RX 2005), and was contemplating getting either the 2009 RX350 or the 2013 RX270. The cars are the same price given that the 2009 RX350 is a 6 cylinder and the 2013 RX270 is a 4 banger. I know that the RX270 is recommended against towing but most of that is if towing involved a boat or a caravan. The towing I am thinking about is a typical small - medium sized trailer so nothing in the vicinity of a boat or caravan? Would this cause damage to the drive train if this was done on an RX270?

 

We don't have the four banger but, my wife's Third generation is heavier than my truck with a V8.
Can't imagine it with a four, much less any kind of trailer behind it.

For me, the Lexus is just too expensive to subject it to towing and if it was a four cylinder well, good luck with all that.

 

The Toyota Venza, in the US, offers the same engine options (2.7l 4cyl and 3.5l v6) as the RX offers over in Australia. While the cars themselves are not exactly the same (The Venza weighs a bit less, and is considered a wagon, while the RX is a compact luxury SUV), I would still go by their same towing capacities. IIRC, the Venza has a max towing capacity of 2500 lbs with the 4cyl, but that's only if it has the towing prep package (HD alternator, bigger rad, coolers, etc), while the v6 is 3500 lbs. If neither have the prep package, max towing capacity is 1000 lbs. Believe the RX350 max towing capacity in the US is 3500 lbs, and I know since 13, the RX has had the towing prep package standard (at least in the US).

Use that to make your decision. Another thing to consider is the RX was redesigned in 2010, with a refresh in 13, so you're getting a much better/newer car overall in the case of the 13 over the 09.

 

Towing with 4 banger, what safety margin will you have when towing something, Also MPG will suffer doing it. I always go for over powered vehicle for the task on hand.
I used to pull small 18' tandem axle trailer, big 7000 lbs. fifth wheel, etc. Always my priority was safety. What would be tongue weight? What kinda hitch? What kinda brake?

 

""The towing I am thinking about is a typical small - medium sized trailer so nothing in the vicinity of a boat or caravan? Would this cause damage to the drive train if this was done on an RX270?"

Very likely, yes. I towed a small, covered motorcycle trailer with my rx350 and it burned DOUBLE the fuel. That was with the trailer empty exclusively at highway speeds. That's a tremendous load due to wind resistance and I would not subject a small engine/tranny to that.

 

I was more thinking a small trailer to cart around things such as mulch etc. A box or caged trailer. Nothing to cart around anything near the size of a motorcycle or larger.

 

I've done this in a Prius, which did really well. Shouldn't be a problem with the RX.

 

The rx270 is noisy as hell. Too under powered. I tried it before getting a rx450h.