My 2019 RX 350 needs brakes, brake fluid, and I'm also doing the fluids for the rear differential and transfer case. I called around to my local Toyota shop and three independent shops in town and I was surprised that the Lexus dealership was less expensive than all of them. They could also get me in right away (wife has been riding on no pads for a while but didn't say anything) and I get the complimentary loaner.
They gave me a a red 2025 RX 350 with 3500 miles and I am incredibly impressed. After a half day with it, here are my thoughts:
The Good:
1. The platform is leaps and bounds better than the last generation. Incredibly tight, the suspension is MUCH more isolated over bumps and from road noise, and the steering is MUCH better. Turn-in is much more natural and the understeer much less noticeable.
2. The engine is ever so slightly less refined sounding around 3500-3800 rpm than the 3.5L V6, but is basically just as refined sounding/feeling everywhere else. It's certainly very refined overall, it has a TON more torque, and a much more linear feel to the throttle. The 8-speed has been completely ironed out, no harsh up or down shift, no constant up and down shifts, no vibrations, it's quick to react, basically my compliment is it is completely transparent - what you notice is you don't notice it.
I can't express how much I HATE the engine/transmission combo in the 2019 - to the point that I gave it to my wife after a year because she doesn't care at all about the drivability of the drivetrain. It has no torque, shifts are terrible and clunky (I have had the ECU reprogramed several times), constant up shifts and down shifts, a harsh vibration in the driveline when in park (every same generation loaner has done it), when you apply the gas from a stop the car doesn't move at all for 1.5 seconds and then it takes off like a rocket, one of the least linear drivetrains I've ever driven. EVERY single one of these issues has been perfectly solved with the new drivetrain. It is smooth, predictable, with great drivability.
3. The interior is gorgeous and there seems to be more room, especially some extra width, and it feels less claustrophobic. They made the doors a little taller (at 6'5" I have to really squish myself and duck my head down to get into the 2019) and getting in and out of the 2025 really is easy for tall people. The infotainment is one of the best I've used - gorgeous screen, things logically laid out, very quick responses to inputs, just enough hard knobs. The stock stereo is much better too. The driving position is also much more natural and comfortable.
4. Fit and finish is typical Lexus quality both in and out. The red pain is gorgeous and I really like the two-toned interior.
The entire driving experience has been greatly improved.
The Bad:
1. The gimmicky door handles and gear shifter don't add anything and I'm not a fan of adding complexity for complexity's sake, especially when complex things stop working.
2. While overall the entire cabin has improved isolation from NHV, the moonroof had a very audible wind noise at highway speeds. The fans for the ventilated seats were also loud enough that I thought a vent was partially closed behind my head but it was the fan for the seat.
3. The safety nannies seem much more intrusive than in the old car. I haven't exactly figured these out yet and if I can turn them off for good but all I want on is blindspot, rear cross traffic, and forward collision. I don't need lane centering or adaptive driving in any way.
Overall:
One of the best overall driving experiences I've ever had in any vehicle. The RX 350 is paid off with only 65k miles so the idea to keep it for another 2-4 years and then probably give it to a child, but the newest generation RX 350 will be on my list of new cars!
Sorry for the garage picture - it's +90F here.
They gave me a a red 2025 RX 350 with 3500 miles and I am incredibly impressed. After a half day with it, here are my thoughts:
The Good:
1. The platform is leaps and bounds better than the last generation. Incredibly tight, the suspension is MUCH more isolated over bumps and from road noise, and the steering is MUCH better. Turn-in is much more natural and the understeer much less noticeable.
2. The engine is ever so slightly less refined sounding around 3500-3800 rpm than the 3.5L V6, but is basically just as refined sounding/feeling everywhere else. It's certainly very refined overall, it has a TON more torque, and a much more linear feel to the throttle. The 8-speed has been completely ironed out, no harsh up or down shift, no constant up and down shifts, no vibrations, it's quick to react, basically my compliment is it is completely transparent - what you notice is you don't notice it.
I can't express how much I HATE the engine/transmission combo in the 2019 - to the point that I gave it to my wife after a year because she doesn't care at all about the drivability of the drivetrain. It has no torque, shifts are terrible and clunky (I have had the ECU reprogramed several times), constant up shifts and down shifts, a harsh vibration in the driveline when in park (every same generation loaner has done it), when you apply the gas from a stop the car doesn't move at all for 1.5 seconds and then it takes off like a rocket, one of the least linear drivetrains I've ever driven. EVERY single one of these issues has been perfectly solved with the new drivetrain. It is smooth, predictable, with great drivability.
3. The interior is gorgeous and there seems to be more room, especially some extra width, and it feels less claustrophobic. They made the doors a little taller (at 6'5" I have to really squish myself and duck my head down to get into the 2019) and getting in and out of the 2025 really is easy for tall people. The infotainment is one of the best I've used - gorgeous screen, things logically laid out, very quick responses to inputs, just enough hard knobs. The stock stereo is much better too. The driving position is also much more natural and comfortable.
4. Fit and finish is typical Lexus quality both in and out. The red pain is gorgeous and I really like the two-toned interior.
The entire driving experience has been greatly improved.
The Bad:
1. The gimmicky door handles and gear shifter don't add anything and I'm not a fan of adding complexity for complexity's sake, especially when complex things stop working.
2. While overall the entire cabin has improved isolation from NHV, the moonroof had a very audible wind noise at highway speeds. The fans for the ventilated seats were also loud enough that I thought a vent was partially closed behind my head but it was the fan for the seat.
3. The safety nannies seem much more intrusive than in the old car. I haven't exactly figured these out yet and if I can turn them off for good but all I want on is blindspot, rear cross traffic, and forward collision. I don't need lane centering or adaptive driving in any way.
Overall:
One of the best overall driving experiences I've ever had in any vehicle. The RX 350 is paid off with only 65k miles so the idea to keep it for another 2-4 years and then probably give it to a child, but the newest generation RX 350 will be on my list of new cars!
Sorry for the garage picture - it's +90F here.
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