brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

Hello all,

Currently driving a 2012 ES350 (which I love) but thinking of a RX350 (2010-2012). I think the extra room and higher driving position might be nice. Ditto the AWD.

I am curious about the ride comfort/quality issue. I very much like the comfort of my ES350 and assume it to be similar to the RX. Is that a decent assumption. These brief test drives make it hard to determine same.
Any input would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Clutchless

I had a 2008 ES350 for a few years before buying my 2010 RX350 in 2012. The ES350 is much quieter and rides much more smoothly than the RX350. I think the RX exhaust was tuned to be louder and I know it drones more at certain speeds. I do like sitting up higher and appreciate the cargo capacity, but would not buy another one, the mid-size SUV market is much more crowded now with many excellent competitors, even in the used market.
The infotainment system and Nav in the 2010-2012 RX350 is terrible but may be the same as what you have in the ES350. The RX350 was refreshed in 2013 and I would get one of those if in the market now.

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

Thanks, that is very useful info. Yes, the info center in the 2012 sucks, but I do love the rest of the car.

lex_rx

If you're going for the RX, avoid sport models and bigger tires. Get the 235/60 R18 and stay close to the recommended tire pressure, e.g. 32 PSI. See if you can find the year and model that you like on Turo and maybe rent it over one weekday to simulate your commute and one weekend to go through the different driving conditions like highway, speed bump roads, etc.

Good luck and let us know what you end up getting.

lexuspleus

On your test drive, take some hard turns, drive over a curb, run over some road patchwork, a couple of speed bumps, and small potholes. This will give you an idea of how much more comfortable it is than the ES.

The seating position on the RX is bus driver style. My trouser length size is 32, and I can stretch my legs left and right, and I will just touch the center console and the door card. When you fold the rear seats down you basically get all the room to throw stuff in that you could want. Hopefully my testimony adds to the existing data you have.

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

These are great ideas. Please keep them coming, I will use them all.

takeshi74

Defintely test drive again (and for a longer duration and over rougher roads and more conditions) as comfort is very subjective. If you can't tell the difference then maybe there isn't much of a difference for you but from what I recall the ES has a more comfortable ride. I think our 400h had a more comfortable ride than our 450h though the handling is a bit better on the latter.

MellonC00

Here are some of the longest and the most controversial RX threads out there. Law of large numbers don't lie. You should pay heed to these issues before jumping in.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...d-threads.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ine-sound.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...uidelines.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...d-threads.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...n-on-dash.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ps-system.html

Non

I test drove an ES350 before I bought my RX350 last year, and the ES 350 is smother and quitter, but:
I love the RX's higher seating position, the seats are comfortable for me.
I love and use the AWD.
After I improved my RX by adjusting the doors, fixing the droning noise, and equalizing the tire pressure and lug nut torque, its quiet enough for me.
I love driving my 2015 RX350.

MellonC00

I acknowledge the issues mentioned above exist. But things like droning noise and firm suspension are sort of moot points for me, as the additional 500lbs takes care of the firm suspension and the engine turns off during low speeds which makes it dead quiet. The reason why I drive this car is because of the instant torque. For the CPO money I spent I don't think I could have bought this much torque from any make or model.

Droid13

My 2 cents (actually, my advice has to be free from Canada as we don't have a penny anymore and need to round).

The ES350 is a nicer drive when solely focused on the act of driving. But the RX will be better at many of the peripheral activities of driving:

a) Getting in, getting back out
b) Seeing out the window, somewhat better visibility all round.
c) Loading lots of stuff in the back
d) Driving in less perfect conditions (bit more clearance, AWD if equipped)

If these things have value to you, you'll overlook the minor step down in "the drive". If "the drive" is truly cherished, you might not make the transition too well.

RX in NC

Also important to be aware of the lack of steering wheel road feel in the RX. The steering feel in my 2013 Outback 3.6R is almost like a track car compared to the lack of any steering feel in my wife's 2015 RX350. That may be due to the fact that the RX's steering is electric whereas the Outback's steering is conventional Dexron ATF flowing through a steering rack. Some folks may prefer the RX's essentially numb steering, but not me.

ColAngus

Is that how a steering rack works?