LillyMay

I currently own 2011 GS350. Great car but need to move to something with more cargo space. I need taller space than what is offered in sedan. I am considering 2015 or 2016 CPO RX or 2016/2017 CPO Highlander limited. This will be my first SUV and I will miss the HP of the GS350. I am looking for feedback from lexus owners that have had a 3rd and 4th generation RX or a highlander. For the RXs am not sure I love the new grill and it seems the 4th generation feedback suggests reoccurring issues with wind or drone like or vibration issues. As for the highlander limited, great ratings and customer satisfaction but the body style does nothing for me. I realize the highlander is larger but the RX cargo area is large enough for what I need to transport. Based on research and test driving I have eliminated Acura, Mercedes, Audi, Honda and am down to Lexus and Toyota. Thank you in advance for your feedback and help.

RGSW

I've owned both the 2014 & 2016 RX350s and liked both of them. My only suggestion is to DRIVE the prospective car on an extensive test drive. Be sure that it performs to your satisfaction and does not have the issues that you mentioned above. As for horsepower, the RX has got enuf for me. Be sure it has a good set of tires.

LillyMay

Thank you RGSW!

rxtimes2

Freds430

Had a 2015 RX 450h which we really enjoyed. When I first saw the 2016, I really disliked the grill and lack trim around the wheel wells. Loved the interior. We both said will never buy one. They were really different. Fast forward two years and September of 2017 bought a 2017 RX 450h. IMO the 2015 and older just look so dated both inside and out. I bought a 2017 ES 300h in June of 2017. Drove it for six moths and really loved it. My wife asked if I wanted to switch vehicles so said yes and started driving the RX. Never thought I would ever drive a SUV. I really really enjoy the drive and looks. I would never had agreed to switch if her vehicle had been the 2015 RX 450h. The hybrid was $1,500 more than the RX 350's on the Lexus lot. We bought it used and was one year old. In a year and a half have averaged 29 mpg. About 75% of that is city driving. A recent trip of which 90% was highway travel averaged 31.5 mpg. No drone vibration issues. Super quiet.

LillyMay

Freds430
Thank you for your response. I was back test driving yesterday. The sales guy was smart because he parked the 2015 and 2016 side by side. I agree that the 2015 appears very dated and the inside feels very small in comparison. I also drove the ES which does not really meet my needs for cargo space but the drive of the sedan was so nice.

The service department at my local Lexus dealership is wonderful and it is a locally owned dealership. When it is all said and done I may not be able to switch brands due to the service department.

Thank you for providing your feedback.

LillyMay

Rxtimes2
Thank you for the response and the suggestion for getting the 2017. I do need to get CTO. The CTO puts these cars in a price range that I am willing to spend on a car as I hate car depreciation. I like the extension of service with the CTO. The dealer does not have a CTO 2017 but I am sure some will start to be turned in,

Thank you for your time and feedback.

JDR76

Kansas

By "CTO" did you mean "CPO (Certified Pre-Owned)"?

The Lexus Safety System+ that fellow "old fart" Rxtimes2 referred to that was standard on the 2017 RX was previously optional on the 2016 RX. Safety System+ has "All-speed" radar adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The all-speed cruise control works down to zero miles per hour - nice in stop-and-go traffic.

A simpler version of Safety System+ was optional on the 2015 RX but wasn't called that. We have the older simpler version on our vehicles and I'd far rather have the higher tech Safety System+. The older optional non-all-speed radar cruise control on the 2015 RX works down to around 25 mph when it shuts itself off. The optional automatic emergency braking on the 2015 RX cannot sense pedestrians.

The simpler versions of this safety technology that were optional on the RX before 2016 are still better than not having anything at all. I've become completely hooked on adaptive cruise control. I've had two rental cars without it recently and couldn't wait to get rid of them.