2019 Lexus RX350 review

[Ws6]

Originally Posted by glock19
Originally Posted by Ws6
"By the numbers", the BMW should be better able to abruptly change direction at speed...but it just isn't so.

Why?

The BMW has better weight distribution, wider tires, and a longitudinally mounted engine. It should easily have handled superior based on static data. Not so, in reality.


A X3 is 1,000lbs heavier than a CX-5. If they weighed the same, it would be no contest.


Okay, how about the fact that a Civic Type R is much faster about the track than a 370Z? Go look at the weight distribution on those two and the lap times they turn on the same track. Eye opening. The civic has over 60% over the front axle, and weighs within 250# of the 370z, which has a longitudinal engine and is only pushing 53% or so over the front axle, AND is rwd...AND has almost 30hp more. Go look at them lap times!

There is more to handling than where the engine is and which way it faces...
https://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/4j0a9ozdieh4

Ps, that civic R lapped the 'ring in 7:43...again...more to it than engine location.

 

[glock19]

Originally Posted by Ws6
There is more to handling than where the engine is and which way it faces...


I didn't say there wasn't. I just pointed out that a X3 vs a CX-5 is a terrible example.

 

[Ws6]

Originally Posted by glock19
Originally Posted by Ws6
There is more to handling than where the engine is and which way it faces...


I didn't say there wasn't. I just pointed out that a X3 vs a CX-5 is a terrible example.

That's fair, so I revised the example as I could find a lot more data on civic r and 370, etc. For lap times.

 

[KrisZ]

The notion that a German make will automatically have a superior handling is quite laughable. My recent experience with a BMW 328d leads me to believe many people simply repeat a commonly accepted opinion.

Just like many Toyota owners will automatically proclaim superior Toyota reliability, many BMW owners will do the same but for handling and being sporty.

 

[edyvw]

I kind of had a feeling insecurities about their own choice of vehicles in certain people would pop out

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by Skippy722
Originally Posted by Ws6
Originally Posted by edyvw

When someone mentions luxury in a vehicle with transverse engine, I get a rash on my liver.


You've said this before, but all you have is "static data". You are under the impression that front engine/transverse vehicles "don't handle as well", when the truth is that there is far more to the equation than just which way the engine is sitting and the F/R weight distribution.

Compare, for example the BMW X3, which has a 50/50 weight distribution (depending on trim level), and a longitudinally mounted engine.


To a CX5, which has nearly 60% of the weight up front, and a transverse mounted engine:


"By the numbers", the BMW should be better able to abruptly change direction at speed...but it just isn't so.

Why?

The BMW has better weight distribution, wider tires, and a longitudinally mounted engine. It should easily have handled superior based on static data. Not so, in reality.


Edyvw you never fail to crack me up lol

But he's right. I loved how my Durango handled, v6 models even have 50/50 weight distribution... and yet it still gets outhandled by pretty much everything in the 3 row crossover segment.

Where did I mention handling? Just because engine is in longitudinal position does not mean that it needs to set up record on track. I have seen numerous fast cars with transverse engine etc. but I have never seen RR, Bentley etc. with transverse engines, and they are not known to set up records on the track.
However, that X3 will still obliterate any CX5

 

[Ws6]

Originally Posted by edyvw
Originally Posted by Skippy722
Originally Posted by Ws6
Originally Posted by edyvw

When someone mentions luxury in a vehicle with transverse engine, I get a rash on my liver.


You've said this before, but all you have is "static data". You are under the impression that front engine/transverse vehicles "don't handle as well", when the truth is that there is far more to the equation than just which way the engine is sitting and the F/R weight distribution.

Compare, for example the BMW X3, which has a 50/50 weight distribution (depending on trim level), and a longitudinally mounted engine.


To a CX5, which has nearly 60% of the weight up front, and a transverse mounted engine:


"By the numbers", the BMW should be better able to abruptly change direction at speed...but it just isn't so.

Why?

The BMW has better weight distribution, wider tires, and a longitudinally mounted engine. It should easily have handled superior based on static data. Not so, in reality.


Edyvw you never fail to crack me up lol

But he's right. I loved how my Durango handled, v6 models even have 50/50 weight distribution... and yet it still gets outhandled by pretty much everything in the 3 row crossover segment.

Where did I mention handling? Just because engine is in longitudinal position does not mean that it needs to set up record on track. I have seen numerous fast cars with transverse engine etc. but I have never seen RR, Bentley etc. with transverse engines, and they are not known to set up records on the track.
However, that X3 will still obliterate any CX5

Transverse engine mounting...
-More interior space in less weight/external size.
-more efficient drivetrain
-easier access to components for maintenance and repair


Longitudinal:
-better weight distribution

I fail to see the point.


In MSRP, and in M level trim, and in maintenance, yes it will! Otherwise? Lol


As to insecurity over vehicle choice? If my vehicle got totalled tomorrow, I'd turn around and buy the same thing again. Nothing out there comes close for features/mpg/reliability/performance, as a cross section, in the smaller/2 row SUV world. The amg43 is faster but mpg sucks. The acura rdx A spec has a few more features (and looks sharper imo), but is slower and mpg is less, etc. I keep looking for a better mousetrap and have yet to find it. One will come out mind you, but not yet.

As to that x3, its slower than my cx5 (in 30i trim), and gets similar mpg. Handling is a bit better on the skidpad, but not dynamically as shown. Reliability is worse. Interior is nicer. All in all, kindof a wash in my book, so why blow the extra money?

 

[edyvw]

Quote
better weight distribution

Longitudinal mounted engine does not mean better weight distribution.
But then, you already admitted that it is too complex for you:

Quote
I fail to see the point.

 

[Ws6]

Originally Posted by edyvw
Quote
better weight distribution

Longitudinal mounted engine does not mean better weight distribution.
But then, you already admitted that it is too complex for you:

Quote
I fail to see the point.




Actually, yes, it does, as the transmission is then free to be mounted in the rear of the vehicle (corvette), or under the firewall, vs the engine bay area. I'm sure you can find an example where it does not pan out, but it would be very very rare.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by Ws6
Originally Posted by edyvw
Quote
better weight distribution

Longitudinal mounted engine does not mean better weight distribution.
But then, you already admitted that it is too complex for you:

Quote
I fail to see the point.




Actually, yes, it does, as the transmission is then free to be mounted in the rear of the vehicle (corvette), or under the firewall, vs the engine bay area. I'm sure you can find an example where it does not pan out, but it would be very very rare.

Yes it is rare, like all Audi's, Lexuses etc.
Longitudinal engine that is pushed too much forward can create more understeer than transverse engine. Weight distribution is not primary reason why luxury cars have and always had longitudinal engine.

 

[Ws6]

Originally Posted by edyvw
Originally Posted by Ws6
Originally Posted by edyvw
Quote
better weight distribution

Longitudinal mounted engine does not mean better weight distribution.
But then, you already admitted that it is too complex for you:

Quote
I fail to see the point.




Actually, yes, it does, as the transmission is then free to be mounted in the rear of the vehicle (corvette), or under the firewall, vs the engine bay area. I'm sure you can find an example where it does not pan out, but it would be very very rare.

Yes it is rare, like all Audi's, Lexuses etc.
Longitudinal engine that is pushed too much forward can create more understeer than transverse engine. Weight distribution is not primary reason why luxury cars have and always had longitudinal engine.

Audi is weird. Longitudinal fwd? [censored], lol!

That said, please, enlighten us all as to why longitudinal is preferred in some luxury cars...

 

[edyvw]

Quote
Audi is weird. Longitudinal fwd? [censored], lol!

That said, please, enlighten us all as to why longitudinal is preferred in some luxury cars...

Longitudinal engine is preferred in most or real luxury cars, not some. Stop thinking your Cx5 plays in that league where BMW, Audi, MB etc. are playing. Get on line with RAV4, that is where it belongs.

 

[Ws6]

Originally Posted by edyvw
Quote
Audi is weird. Longitudinal fwd? [censored], lol!

That said, please, enlighten us all as to why longitudinal is preferred in some luxury cars...

Longitudinal engine is preferred in most or real luxury cars, not some. Stop thinking your Cx5 plays in that league where BMW, Audi, MB etc. are playing. Get on line with RAV4, that is where it belongs.

RAV4 is so far behind it's not even funny. CX5 lacks in ways I cannot really appreciate (audio system isnt top notch, etc). But makes up for it in ways I can (does not have reliability issues).

Now...please tell us why you feel luxury brands require longitudinal mounting of the engine.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Originally Posted by Ws6
Originally Posted by edyvw
Quote
Audi is weird. Longitudinal fwd? [censored], lol!

That said, please, enlighten us all as to why longitudinal is preferred in some luxury cars...

Longitudinal engine is preferred in most or real luxury cars, not some. Stop thinking your Cx5 plays in that league where BMW, Audi, MB etc. are playing. Get on line with RAV4, that is where it belongs.

RAV4 is so far behind it's not even funny. CX5 lacks in ways I cannot really appreciate (audio system isnt top notch, etc). But makes up for it in ways I can (does not have reliability issues).

Now...please tell us why you feel luxury brands require longitudinal mounting of the engine.



RWD??

 

[Ws6]

Originally Posted by BMWTurboDzl
Originally Posted by Ws6
Originally Posted by edyvw
Quote
Audi is weird. Longitudinal fwd? [censored], lol!

That said, please, enlighten us all as to why longitudinal is preferred in some luxury cars...

Longitudinal engine is preferred in most or real luxury cars, not some. Stop thinking your Cx5 plays in that league where BMW, Audi, MB etc. are playing. Get on line with RAV4, that is where it belongs.

RAV4 is so far behind it's not even funny. CX5 lacks in ways I cannot really appreciate (audio system isnt top notch, etc). But makes up for it in ways I can (does not have reliability issues).

Now...please tell us why you feel luxury brands require longitudinal mounting of the engine.



RWD??

Audi uses it for FWD, lol

Also, everyone does awd now. I'd buy "appeal to tradition" though...

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Originally Posted by Ws6
Originally Posted by BMWTurboDzl



RWD??

Audi uses it for FWD, lol

Also, everyone does awd now. I'd buy "appeal to tradition" though...


Right because FWD is the default layout for Audi but other than Audi who else? Volvo? Lexus has one FWD model. RWD is the default layout for luxury vehicles because historically the added production cost can be readily absorbed by some brands. Of course AWD is now taking over because of a change in what consumers desire (Luxury SUV/SAV).

The implementation of FWD by any brand is largely done in order to reduce cost. It's a compromise in almost every way which engineers try to overcome by implementing other changes on the vehicle (suspension, chassis design, etc).

In 5-10 yrs this is going to be a moot point with EV's anyways.

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted by Ws6


Now...please tell us why you feel luxury brands require longitudinal mounting of the engine.


I would like to hear his expert opinion as well. So far he's dancing around it. Perhaps google is not returning anything useful?

 

[user52165]

Thanks for keeping this thread ON TOPIC!........................not

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by user52165
Thanks for keeping this thread ON TOPIC!........................not

Well, I sad that IMO RX350 is not real luxury car due to transverse layout but more importantly, it is just disguised Toyota Highlander.
It fits needs of most customers that prefer something like "that," but it is nothing but plushed Toyota HL.

 

[Malo83]

Originally Posted by Pelican
Originally Posted by Lolvoguy
Originally Posted by mclasser
- We were in stop & go traffic and the idle felt a little rough at times. Not something I'd expect in a brand new Lexus

Most Lexus models NEED to run prem.
I made the mistake of trying to run mine on mid grade and that's how it felt.
After switching back to prem, all running irregularities and longer crank times were eliminated (despite being 13 years older).


Exactly, but you are talking to the walmart crowd here

This coming from Mr. Kmart.