Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
I mean to be fair, the ES is an Avalon
(LEXUS) ES350 vs RX350 for commuting
- Thread starter wsar10
- Start date
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Which is stretched Camry
Stretched Camry FTW!
Actually that explains to me why I was surprised how the ‘15RX I test drove seemed so small inside - I expected more space out of what appeared to be a larger vehicle from the outside.
I have healthy respect for both. Aside from brake modules on the hybrid models, the RX line has incredible longevity.
And to the OPs point about maintainability concerns of a GS, mine had a number of problems when I bought it. I bought it through Carmax and picked up the extended warranty. I made money on the warranty. Multiple (all, if I remember) door lock motors and sunroof mechanism. Seat belt tensioner. Carmax warranty did me a solid and fixed them all, no issues. But I was surprised. Oh and fuel pump recall somehow was addressed while they had it back as well. I’ve not heard of those parts as typical Toyota problems, but none would have left me stranded either.
It was also, otoh, a performance oriented vehicle and ran like a scalded dog. With a “downgrade” to 18” wheels it handled incredibly well. The engine was pretty eager to play ball and the transmission was smooth and tight as well. My transmission had a 1-2 flare, but it seemed pretty obvious that the prior owner was lax on maintenance of any kind.
M
Actually that explains to me why I was surprised how the ‘15RX I test drove seemed so small inside - I expected more space out of what appeared to be a larger vehicle from the outside.
I have healthy respect for both. Aside from brake modules on the hybrid models, the RX line has incredible longevity.
And to the OPs point about maintainability concerns of a GS, mine had a number of problems when I bought it. I bought it through Carmax and picked up the extended warranty. I made money on the warranty. Multiple (all, if I remember) door lock motors and sunroof mechanism. Seat belt tensioner. Carmax warranty did me a solid and fixed them all, no issues. But I was surprised. Oh and fuel pump recall somehow was addressed while they had it back as well. I’ve not heard of those parts as typical Toyota problems, but none would have left me stranded either.
It was also, otoh, a performance oriented vehicle and ran like a scalded dog. With a “downgrade” to 18” wheels it handled incredibly well. The engine was pretty eager to play ball and the transmission was smooth and tight as well. My transmission had a 1-2 flare, but it seemed pretty obvious that the prior owner was lax on maintenance of any kind.
M
Same token would you want to be in a Tiguan or Atlas in collision vs Golf? They both were built off same platform (MQB) akin to Toyota/Lexus although they are closer in size.Which is stretched Camry
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
In the crash test, the RX has a lower rating than the ES. ES is not a small vehicle inside. That is where the SUV advantage might come, headspace, etc. But ES, compared to RX, is not that much smaller.
But then we come back to the fact that ES, while not a handling benchmark, still is a better performer.
For example, I use my BMW daily, hauling 8 month old, two other kids. Compared to my Atlas I had before, or especially now Sequoia, it is a vehicle that will do much better in not ending up in a crash.
I test drove an ES and was extremely impressed with it. It’s what lead me ultimately to the GS. The stretched body of the ES was excellent for people and highway ride. If I had purchased it, I would have had to do something about the soft engine mounts. During acceleration or coming to a stop, there was a lot of movement going on, and feeling the secondary movements from the engine rocking around up there seemed really noticeable. We almost bought the ES. And of course almost, but didn’t buy the RX. Between the two, it would be which one keeps my BP the lowest in traffic.
I feel like ending up in crash is other drivers hitting me not me heading into one and avoiding. The only accidents I have been on are where I was sitting(stopped traffic) or slowly taking off thru a light a person ran at high speed behind a building.
Which is stretched Camry
Yep. Auto manufacturers hardly use a single platform for a single vehicle; that would be stupid costly. A huge manufacturer like Toyota makes so many products. And their manufacturing process, started by Dr. Deming revolutionized manufacturing with its statistical process control. This is taught in both schools of Engineering and Business.
I'm just not sure, it depends on the numbers.
I am not willing to lose 5+MPG, no... If I went from 27 to 25 I would not really care when factoring in other things the vehicle would provide.
I am around 130mi round trip, so 5PMG loss can get pretty extreme over time.
I mean aero matters - the ES should get better mileage numbers hands down. I’d expect it to be roughly 5 mpg better over the distance, but I could be easily mistaken. I can’t imagine the RX getting better than 24-25 on the highway. The hybrid version gets 30.
