AndrewTO

No, all 3RX F-Sports had an 8-speed transmission. That was one of the features they used to tempt you towards the F-Sports.

U880F was the transmission model for the 3RX F-Sports, while they slightly updated it for the 2016 and newer RXs, changing the model name to U881E/F.

xxx350L

My 2019 RX350L has all the hesitation issues, and the TSB’s made no difference. The software is garbage, and with drive by wire, the driving experience is annoying to say the least. I tested the Pedal Commander, and it helped, but the actual control unit with yellow plastic trim looked out of place, so I changed to a Sprint Booster. I’m happy with the way it looks, but more importantly, how it eliminates the throttle hesitation. I run the transmission in sport mode, and the Sprint Booster in “ Sport Level 3.” The throttle response is immediate, and not overly sensitive. It’s plug and play, so the installation is fast and easy.

GSFRX350

Going by numerous reports if the TSB didn't make any difference they failed to install it correctly. For some reason they forget to reset the ECU by disconnecting the power for a while. It's like a computer update that requires a restart, until that restart happens the computer hasn't finished installing the software.

WIZARD1325

iTrader: (1)

Thank you never heard of this ......was going to buy a pedal commander till i saw you post.

Thanks again ordering a sprint booster... just gotta get a coupon lol

dibl

Ummmmm .... not according to Motortrend: https://www.motortrend.com/cars/lexus/rx350/2015/

"U660 6-speed"

Maybe the Canadian models had an 8-speed?

AndrewTO

Yes, the U660 6-speed transmission was used in the regular non-F-Sport 3RXs. If you had a 3RX F-Sport, you had an 8-speed transmission.

Here's a Motortrend review on the 2013 RX F-Sport: http://www.trucktrend.com/truck-revi...rt-first-test/

Canadian 3RX F-Sports only differed from the U.S. ones in that we didn't get a roof rack as standard equipment and how the option packages worked.

Rxyen

This is very good information. Thanks for sharing. How do they remap it on the Tacoma though? Do they overwrite the program/maps in the ECU/TCU?

dibl

Aha! OK, that sounds right -- I did love my 2015 F-Sport. I would still be driving it if a lady hadn't turned her Volvo in front of me when I was going 40 MPH.

websurfer

I had test drove the 2021 RX350 (non-sport) and I noticed it's like 1-1.5 seconds before the car goes. I assume that's hesitation that you'll are referring to, right?

dibl

No. I understand they have changed the transmission software to move shift points higher, but on 2016-2019, the shift points are very low and the transmission will "hunt" for the correct gear at times. It feels like the engine is momentarily losing power, in some slow-speed scenarios. I'm not sure about the 2020.

GSFRX350

1 - 1.5 seconds sounds like an exaggeration, it may feel like it but it's not that long.

I believe the hesitation being talked about throughout this thread is the way the transmission changes up gear too soon, always trying to be in the highest gear possible to try to get the best fuel consumption. As you give it more gas it will then abruptly change down a gear and accelerate. Worse if you are trying to go fast in the suburbs, slowing down and speeding up, also if you are in hilly terrain as the gear will always be too high and keeps changing down, very unrefined. Sport Mode tends to alleviate it mostly.

Don't know if the current models still do this or not, it was by design and they only did the fix for people asking as some people are happy with it, depends on how you drive it. It was just a software update, maybe the new models have it but I'm inclined to say no. Someone on here will know.

gadgetman1

My 450h was in for service & they gave me a 2020 RX 350 for a loaner. This loaner had about 14,000 miles on it. I don’t know how Lexus can get away with such a garbage transmission! It was horrible to drive in the hill country. There’s no way in hell I would ever buy a 350!

golferjack

AMEN.. One of the major reasons I bought a hybrid was for all the features a hybrid provides like a very smooth transmission with no software updates or need of maintenance. MPG was way down the list of criteria and one I do not even look at.

bamalam

My 2020 RX350 has 12K miles on it and it shifts and behaves just fine. I live in the hills. Once in a while I'll put it in Sport mode, but generally don't bother.

TechNut

We test drove a non F Sport 350 when we were considering our recent purchase. We were definitely disappointed with the different driving behavior, but then we had also driven the 450h first so that may have colored our expectations. We have also owned mostly hybrids for the past few years (since trading our 2013MY 350) so we have become accustomed to the unique qualities of the CVT transmissions. We definitely like the driving characteristics of the 450h better, but once again, every model has design compromises and that's why there are different drivetrains (and different tastes).