rx450hso

Hello Lexus owners, I am new to this site. I have a 2005 rx330, which has 145,000 miles. I love my rx330 and still runs good. I recently purchased another rx, it's a 2015 rx450h with 55,000 miles. It looks great and runs good too. The only minor issue I've noticed is "loud sound". My 2005 rx330 is quieter than 2015 rx450h. When I press the gas pedal, it sounds like the Tacoma V6 truck or 4 runner, I used have those vehicles and loved that low base sound at that time. It's not that loud, but I got used to the quietness of rx330 and wasn't expecting it from newer model with hybrid. I checked the muffler but it seems okay. Any idea?
Thanks in advance!

Clutchless

Well sorry to tell you this but you just have to get used to the new sounds of the 3.5 V6 engine. That noise is just the nature of the beast. It is a great engine, very reliable, but as you noticed it is louder than the 3.3 liter engine your old vehicle had. You are not the first RX330 owner to complain that the RX350 was noisier and many complain that it rides worse than the 330 too.
Some have had luck installing some exhaust dampeners on the tailpipe near the cat. Look at this thread especially post 78. I installed 2 of these on my RX and they helped reduce the engine exhaust noise.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ine-sound.html

rx450hso

Thank you so much for your reply. I will try to install the exhaust dampeners, hope that works.

Non

The exhaust dampers work on RX350 models, I'm curious if they will make any difference on your RX450h.
I'd like to know if anyone tried installing some sound insolation material in their RX, and if that made much difference. I'm thinking about it, but it looks like a lot of work, because there is a lot of interior trim pieces to remove. Not sure if it's worth it.

Clutchless

I installed paint on sound deadener inside the wheel wells after removing the fender liners. It made some difference, mostly for tire and road noise. I then removed every trim piece behind the rear seat and under the cargo liner and installed Raamaudio brand stick on sound deadener. That helped a little, but I did not think it was worth the overall effort. The link below has photos and project info.
Look at this old thread, https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...n-this-rx.html

RX in NC

My wife had a 2000 RX300 from 2003 until 2007, a 2004 RX330 from 2007 until 2012, and has had her current 2015 RX350 since 2018. She has never complained about excessive engine noise in any of them. Maybe she needs to get her hearing checked....

NjoyTheSho

I have or had a 2005 RX330 which I have to my mom and I bought a 2011 RX350. My 2005 runs nearly as quiet has a hybrid even under hrs acceleration it’s fairly quiet. My 2011 is considerably louder, exhaust wise and motor wise. I’m used to it now but every now and then I drive the 2005 and it still smoother and more quiet than my 2011. I miss the 330

Non

Louder engine is the price we pay for having the timing chain and not the timing belt.

I noticed the same thing with Accords, when they switched the 4-cylinder engine to timing chain, the engine got louder. People complained that the old Accords were quieter, but they were upset even more when they had to spend more than a $1000 on a new timing belt at 100k miles

sunnyside

Yes the 3.5 is a little louder, but the main cause of noise in the hybrid is the CVT. The engine revs and the trans catches up. Once you are at a constant speed the car is quiet. My 450h is pleasant to ride in. We also have a 350 and being an old sports car guy, the exhaust note is not objectionable at all. There are dampers on the exhaust on both of the cars.