(LEXUS) ES350 vs RX350 for commuting

wsar10

wsar10

Joined
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PA
Looking for real world feedback from actual owners of both vehicles. (circa 2014-2018 ES350 and RX350)

I understand the high level items and grasp the potential common sense differences in fuel economy, power and maintenance costs, etc.

I'm looking for more actual details and experiences. I love my ES, but I am strongly considering getting into an RX of similar year for two main reasons:
1- Higher ride height (I love the sleekness of a car, but prefer the drivers position to be higher)
2- AWD, I am accustomed to having AWD or 4wd and just feal better having it. I have not had an issue with FWD, but paying top dollar for tire has allot to do with that as well.

The extra cargo area and ability to tow light stuff would be a plus as well, but none of these are deal breakers and I can simply go to an AWD LS and be REALLY happy! I would love to hear real world comparisons like one I received form a coworker. His family owned both at the same time, 2017 ES and RX. They put 200k mi on both of them commuting to work over the exact same time period. The RX averaged 5mpg less than the ES, aside from factory recommended maintenance on both, the RX gave them an extra $1,100 in maintenance items (CV shaft and an exhaust leak), and the RX obviously cost a bit more in fuel. The ES had an exhaust leak as well but he fixed it with a gasket for less than $75 and an hour of his time.

In my opinion that's not even a comparison! It almost makes the RX cheaper to own if you consider it safer overall with more room. I would love to figure out if my coworkers experience is the norm or if his is unique. If I went to an RX it would probably be around a 2017 or so, with some miles but nothing above 75k mi. Again, the main purpose of the Lex is commuting.

Thanks guys!
 
I'm not that much of an SUV guy, but wifey loves her's. 2021 RX450h F Sport. I found the AWD to be great one stormy early morning traveling up Interstate 280 North of Palo Alto. The high winds, rain and slightly flooded roadways were not a problem at all.

The F Sport has a much more substantial suspension than the standard RX. Highly recommended unless you like that squishy Lexus ride.
1762383291882.webp
 
wsar10 said:
Looking for real world feedback from actual owners of both vehicles. (circa 2014-2018 ES350 and RX350)

I understand the high level items and grasp the potential common sense differences in fuel economy, power and maintenance costs, etc.

I'm looking for more actual details and experiences. I love my ES, but I am strongly considering getting into an RX of similar year for two main reasons:
1- Higher ride height (I love the sleekness of a car, but prefer the drivers position to be higher)
2- AWD, I am accustomed to having AWD or 4wd and just feal better having it. I have not had an issue with FWD, but paying top dollar for tire has allot to do with that as well.

The extra cargo area and ability to tow light stuff would be a plus as well, but none of these are deal breakers and I can simply go to an AWD LS and be REALLY happy! I would love to hear real world comparisons like one I received form a coworker. His family owned both at the same time, 2017 ES and RX. They put 200k mi on both of them commuting to work over the exact same time period. The RX averaged 5mpg less than the ES, aside from factory recommended maintenance on both, the RX gave them an extra $1,100 in maintenance items (CV shaft and an exhaust leak), and the RX obviously cost a bit more in fuel. The ES had an exhaust leak as well but he fixed it with a gasket for less than $75 and an hour of his time.

In my opinion that's not even a comparison! It almost makes the RX cheaper to own if you consider it safer overall with more room. I would love to figure out if my coworkers experience is the norm or if his is unique. If I went to an RX it would probably be around a 2017 or so, with some miles but nothing above 75k mi. Again, the main purpose of the Lex is commuting.

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
How is RX safer?
It doesn’t handle as good as ES (not that ES is some handling benchmark, quite opposite, but still it is a sedan) and it will stop faster than RX considering same braking system and less weight.
They are both built on the same platform. RX won’t have any advantage in crash but considering what I mentioned, you have more chances ending up in crash with it.
 
Wife’s ES 350 has been stellar for her 10 years of ownership. Very safe and reliable car. I ask her about once a year if she’s ready for a new car and so far she has said no. Never a bolt turned on her car but for oil changes and tires. Having said that, there is a stigma attached to the ES 350. If I’m outside and she pulls into the garage I’ll occasionally ask her how many houses she sold today?

IMG_1812.webp


IMG_1807.webp
 
I’m a sedan guy more than an SUV guy however I’ve had plenty of both. Both being Lexus, they are very nice however I think the ES sedan would give a more comfortable and quiet ride, and the RX, while very nice on its own would offer more cargo carrying utility and stability and foul weather. It Really depends on what you want to drive in the everyday-ness and how you’ll be using your vehicle. I typically buy vehicles based on how we will be using it 90%-95% of the time.
 
edyvw said:
How is RX safer?
It doesn’t handle as good as ES (not that ES is some handling benchmark, quite opposite, but still it is a sedan) and it will stop faster than RX considering same braking system and less weight.
They are both built on the same platform. RX won’t have any advantage in crash but considering what I mentioned, you have more chances ending up in crash with it.
Click to expand...
The RX350 actually scored 4 out of 5 for front and offset vs 5 out of 5 for the es350
 
I'm a sedan guy, but my high mileage 2011 RX 350 I bought a few months ago has been a pleasure. Extremely easy to drive with great visibility and surprisingly maneuverable in tight spaces. Throw in the easy entry/exit for my 91 year old father, and it's been a winner for me. That said, I would choose the ES in a comparison (2013 and newer GS 350's are my favorite Lexus cars).
 
gman2304 said:
Wife’s ES 350 has been stellar for her 10 years of ownership. Very safe and reliable car. I ask her about once a year if she’s ready for a new car and so far she has said no. Never a bolt turned on her car but for oil changes and tires. Having said that, there is a stigma attached to the ES 350. If I’m outside and she pulls into the garage I’ll occasionally ask her how many houses she sold today?

View attachment 308683

View attachment 308684
Click to expand...
LOL. perfect realtor car for sure.
 
edyvw said:
How is RX safer?
It doesn’t handle as good as ES (not that ES is some handling benchmark, quite opposite, but still it is a sedan) and it will stop faster than RX considering same braking system and less weight.
They are both built on the same platform. RX won’t have any advantage in crash but considering what I mentioned, you have more chances ending up in crash with it.
Click to expand...

Easier visibility due to driver seat position, more impact stability due to its size, AWD in bad weather... Easily increase its safety for me.
 
wsar10 said:
Easier visibility due to driver seat position, more impact stability due to its size, AWD in bad weather... Easily increase its safety for me.
Click to expand...
Impact stability? In an SUV? Those are some new laws of physics.
How does AWD improve safety? No one died from not being able to go fast enough forward. They did because they couldn’t stop.
Prime example is any snow in CO. It is Subaru than JEEP, followed by some truck in the ditch.
 
Depends on the year? I’ve not owned one but had a GS and test drove ES and RX.

The RX I was looking at was mid teens, the previous bubble body. The seat layout was a little weird for a guy with a tall back, similar to an early 2000s grand Cherokee. I was too tall for it. I’m only 5’ 9” or so. The cabin seemed a little small for the footprint, but I did like the vehicle and those years have stellar reputations for being long lived.

ES was very much a better Camry. Road like a Buick and was quiet. I don’t like nose heavy FWD and chose a GS instead and loved that car in every way.

In traffic here, sedans simply get zero visibility. I’d love to commute in a sedan but it’s almost literally impractical now. I’d score another p2 Volvo s60 if i could.
 
meep said:
Depends on the year? I’ve not owned one but had a GS and test drove ES and RX.

The RX I was looking at was mid teens, the previous bubble body. The seat layout was a little weird for a guy with a tall back, similar to an early 2000s grand Cherokee. I was too tall for it. I’m only 5’ 9” or so. The cabin seemed a little small for the footprint, but I did like the vehicle and those years have stellar reputations for being long lived.

ES was very much a better Camry. Road like a Buick and was quiet. I don’t like nose heavy FWD and chose a GS instead and loved that car in every way.

In traffic here, sedans simply get zero visibility. I’d love to commute in a sedan but it’s almost literally impractical now. I’d score another p2 Volvo s60 if i could.
Click to expand...
Awesome feedback!! I can easily relate from being a long time JEEP guy.
In full disclosure, I think the RX is not a very attractive looking vehicle, unlike the GX which is most likely our next family vehicle when I can pry the CX-5 out of our hands (we love it).

That is one of my issues (maybe my only) with the ES, that's its heavy and FWD. I wanted the GS but with them being discontinued I worried what effect that may have on my ability to maintain the vehicle in the far future. The IS was just simply too small... I feel as though I sacrificed and landed on the ES (which is ok by me as I do love the car). The mention of easier to get in and out of is creeping closer to the list of considerations than what I feel comfortable with.
 
edyvw said:
Impact stability? In an SUV? Those are some new laws of physics.
How does AWD improve safety? No one died from not being able to go fast enough forward. They did because they couldn’t stop.
Prime example is any snow in CO. It is Subaru than JEEP, followed by some truck in the ditch.
Click to expand...
One in every group...

let me be clear in that you are attempting to debate or argue, that you would rather be in an accident in a sedan than an SUV of any size. Let that sink in for those in Rio Linda...

Now, I surely hope that NOBODY tries this at home. I personally have already "tried it at home" by no fault of my own...
Wrap a car around a Jersey barrier, then when you're feeling up to it again wrap an SUV around a Jersey barrier IF you survived the first one, you will most likely survive the second one. Let me know which one panned out better...
 
wsar10 said:
One in every group...

let me be clear in that you are attempting to debate or argue, that you would rather be in an accident in a sedan than an SUV of any size. Let that sink in for those in Rio Linda...

Now, I surely hope that NOBODY tries this at home. I personally have already "tried it at home" by no fault of my own...
Wrap a car around a Jersey barrier, then when you're feeling up to it again wrap an SUV around a Jersey barrier IF you survived the first one, you will most likely survive the second one. Let me know which one panned out better...
Click to expand...
You do know ES and RX are same vehicle?
They are actually both Camry.
RX is basically ES station wagon. You don’t have frame there etc. that will add weight and in crash transfer energy onto lighter vehicle.
But, ES will deal with laws of physics easier, hence, lower probability of ending up in crash.
You are like those tourists that rent 6,000lbs SUV here at Denver airport thinking that is vehicle to have in snow. And then realizing hard way that 6,000lbs on slick road and 9% 2mls long downhill grade is really bad, bad combination.
SUV is better family vehicle than sedan. That is about it. That is it. Nothing else.
Not to mention that ES has better crash test results. So, not sure what you basing your arguments.
 
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