Today my 2003 RX300 went in for its 100,000 mile service and audio system repair, so I was given a shiny new 2010 Lexus RX 350 as a loaner for the day. It's been a memorable day with the 350, so I just had to review it here and compare it to my 2003 model. For some reason, it has the ridiculous color scheme of silver exterior and white interior. A black interior would have been more appropriate.
Engine and Drivetrain:
Outstanding. The engine is powerful and purrs, the 6 speed transmission with manual shift option shifts imperceptibly. In contrast, my 2003 RX feels sluggish and slow. But... my 2003 uses regular fuel and this baby requires premium. Still, worth it... Advantage 2010.
Comfort and Driving position:
The "Captains Chairs" are gone so I keep banging my elbow on the center console when I put on the seat belt. Driving position is OK but a piece of trim hangs down above the brake and accelerator pedals. As a result, my foot gets stuck on the accelerator and I have to awkwardly twist it to depress the brake and vice versa. Not good Lexus considering the recent concerns about acceleration. The seats are heated and cooled. I didn't notice the cooling, my passenger didn't like it and turned it off. The AC is powerful butt surprisingly drafty! The rear seat reclines but toe room and foot room are very tight. No contest here, my 2003 is far more comfortable. Not good Lexus... not good! Access to the power outlets requires removing the I-Phone holder and the "garbage can" from the center console. I found a phone charger attached to the power outlet. It's easy to forget about, and difficult to access.
Handling:
A small turning circle makes for easy parking but the steering gives little feel of the road. However, the 350 takes sharp turns in stride with minimal body lean. Nice work Lexus. MUCH better than my 2003.
Braking:
Except for that piece hanging down that interferes with braking, excellent.
Ride:
Poor!.. Yes, poor! The 2003 Lexus had a slightly firm ride and soaked up bumps easily. The 2010 feels like a boat in choppy seas half the time. The other half the time it feels like a plane in turbulents. The Lexus rocks from side to side constantly, and then kicks sharply painfully so. This is one of the worst riding vehicles I've ever driven.
Visibility:
The rear view camera is a really nice touch, but the rear side areas of the vehicle are still invisible in the camera or by turning around and looking. There is much too big a blind spot in the rear of this car.
Controls:
Technology gone crazy! A couple of years ago, I had an RX loaner that was ruled by "voice commands" and controls on the steelring wheel. It was an amazing vehicle. The 2010 RX is ruled by a mouse and pointer. Who the hell has time to use a mouse and pointer while driving to adjust the radio, the climate control, the GPS, etc, etc. !!? It's the worst design I have ever seen. The 2008 loaner I had used voice recognition and simple controls on the steerng wheel to do the same things, and was much more intuitive. I called Lexus to talk me through raising the volume of the voice for the GPS. But the 2010 doesn't mute the audio system when the GPS is speaking.. the 2008 model did.
I do like the Satellite Radio although I kept getting "No Signal". while driving home. I called Lexus to ask about some of the mysterious buttons. One turns the stability control off. I'm not sure why I would ever want to do that in an SUV... maybe in the IS, but not in the RX . Another goes into permanent 4 wheel drive. I didn't ask about the button that showed a picture of the vehicle with wings coming out of the rear. Maybe that is nitrous mode? Or maybe it flies over traffic?
As, for that GPS, it kept sending me the wrong way down one way streets and it doesn't like left turns.
Overall...
Good handling, quiet, nice satellite radio, excellent engine and transmission. But... horrible ride and technology gone crazy. No, I wouldn't buy another RX. Oh, and how is Lexus doing with the "passion for perfection". Well, the audio system part that arrived was the wrong one, so they have to re-order it. So I have the pleasure of driving this 2010 at least through Friday, if not through Tuesday of next week.