utterly reliable&comfortable, surprisingly fast after being broken in, best mileage in the lux suv class, smooth and quiet, gorgeous design, good brakes&handling, standard sound system is excellent with exception of 6 cd magazine in glove box, great car for long toad trips. One of the safest cars on the road. Lexus design team is great down to the smallest detail.

not for offroading. Don't buy this vehicle if you like to take a $40K toy into the brush and rocks. Not much towing capacity. It can fit 3 large guys and their golf clubs, but thats about it. Should come with better quality tires. (even though the MDX uses the same Goodyear Integritys). I'm having a small problem with the rear cupholder

Smooth and surprisingly powerful, tracks true no matter how fast I go (up to 110). This car just oozes quality. I have to question some of the folks who were critical of the RX. Their experience with this car must be very limited. Suspect they own lesser cars. The RX surpasses my expecations everyday. In the real world you don't find disatisfied RX 300 owners.

Similar Products Used:

test drove the BMW, MB, Infiniti, and Accura, Lexus the best value by far

Very comfortable - great ride and luxury, interior materials are above average, prestigious brand name, quiet

serious ergonomic flaws

This SUV just sucks as far as ergonomics are concerned - glovebox CD player is painful, cup holders suck, storage drawers suck! Not recommended!!

Similar Products Used:

ML320, BMW X5

car ride handling and quiet interior

no true suv road handling capability. Relatively underpowered

I regret buying it. GET THE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER--THE SAME SUV CLONE FOR 10 GRAND LESS--I feel like a sucker when Lexus produces Toyota clones that costs so much less and yet uses the same transmission, drive train, suspension etc--should have gotten a European SUV with no comparable cheaper clones.

Similar Products Used:

ML 320, BMW X5--like these better but more pricey

This suv is awesome! I don't get why so many of these people are writing how much they hate this car?! It is so smooth, just like my dads old LS400, and the Xenon headlights are so cool. The wood and leather steering wheel and shifter are really luxurious looking and feel great with a unique contrast in texture. The engine is buttery soft and the transmission is flawless. The optiron intruments are really intriguing and they are very visible, and the center mounted LCD screen for audio and climate is a nice, futuristic touch, though mine isn't equipped with the unneccesary navigation system. The shifter's popsition is very convenient. The suspension soaks up bumps and large potholes like no other SUV- with ease. It is also nice that this year Lexus finally decided to change the window markings from reading Toyota to Lexus. The car is so comfortable and intoxicating. I try to think up excuses to go out to the garage to sit and look at it and I am constantly trying to wipe off the paint or vacuum the floormats. I love this car!

NONE! Well, actually there is one. When I returned to my lovely Lexus after dinner out one night I discovered a note on the windsheild. It read that a child had jammed a car door into the right rear side door of my car. I was and still am horrified that this could happen only 4 days after the car was picked up from the dealer. I am still waiting for a call from the nearest dent removal shop. I cant wait to get it fixed!!!

This car is a beautiful machine and is a flawless performer. I would definitely recommend the 4WD model to people looking for an SUV for commmuting in snow or rain but not for folks who are interested in serious off roading, as the RX300 has no low range. I would also recommend the FWD version to those who live in a warm and dry climate where they wont encounter snow or alot of rainy conditions. I believe that it is one of the best luxury SUVs out on the market right now.

Similar Products Used:

BMW X5, Acura MDX, Infiniti QX4- though all have their own distinct personalities. The BMW has a spporting character, the Acura- a more utilitarian disposition, the Infiniti possesing a truckish attitude and the lexus, with an obvious gearing toward luxury and comfort.

Silky smooth "Cloud9" feel
Exceptional customer service
Flawless fit and finish
Fairly peppy engine
Good looks!
Superb resale value
Fantastic 4-wheel traction control

Lousy turning circle of 41+ ft
Glovebox CD changer sucks bigtime!
Very inefficient design of cup holders and storage compartments

I actually just sold my Lexus after 3 months of leasing it. I am amazed at how many people were willing to buy the vehicle, of course it was in mint condition, I lost almost nothing - that is some kind of resale value.

My reasons for giving up this vehicle were many... Although I loved the comfort level, I could somehow never get used to using the CD changer in the glovebox...I have a great CD collection and I ended up seriously scratching several rare CDs because of the convoluted way the system is designed, which was very aggravating!

The rear passengers also complained about having to reach out and place their beverages near the front seats which is definately a stupid design!

Lexus says that it strives to provide a total luxury experience as its top priority, strangely the really bad ergonomics negates a lot of that comfort.

However, the vehicle has some positive aspects also. I took it to the mountains in very rough wheather (frozen roads with thick sheets of ice) and the vehicle skid control with the ABS kept the vehicle in control at all times.

I would personally not recommend this vehicle since there are better alternatives (MDX, X5 etc). I am looking to buy the X5 soon :-)

Similar Products Used:

None

Carefully engineered to finest detail.
Plenty of rear-seat leg room with front seat back.
Wife and I love that "Up-High" feeling.
Far better than any other SUV at passing over rough pavement...like a luxury sedan.
Commanding acceleration; very quiet; great "Urban Prowler" look.
Wife's favorite...heated seats; unfortunately no variable thermostat.
Engine knock sensor allows cheapest regular under any condition; good mileage for SUV: actual 18 town & 22 @ 75 mph is routine.
Flawless fit & finish; no defects when purchased used at 12,000 miles.
Rear seat quick conversion to flat floor & return.
Display screen useful and well done.

Unable to U-turn midblock in neighborhood. Could be a deadly design weakness on a narrow two-lane rural highway.
Small fuel tank requires frequent fillups. Could leave one stranded if low on fuel on a Sunday/holiday night in a big state with few towns.
Under seat area boxed in; I miss the storage space.
No protective side moulding; paint marks/dings of neighboring doors appear.
Foot-operated parking brake...Easily overlooked and burned out because it does not hold well when driving away - as a friend has done twice. Much prefer center console handbrake which is obvious and can be operated by a passenger in an emergency (like teaching the teen to drive.)
Like everybody else - cupholders/storage drawers need a redesigned for front and rear folk so as not to conflict and SO THE DOG WON'T SPILL DRINKS WHEN SNEAKING INTO THE FRONT SEAT!!!
The vinyl security cover won't retract in winter temperatures.

Having experienced every imaginable dealer-provided auto during my thirteen years/3,000 students as a public school driver training chairman, I predict my RX-300 to be a trouble-free 200,000+ mile package. Three homes in our 17-home gated community have purchased RX-300's in the last year. The ladies especially love the secure feeling of being up high in a solid car that is provides a great ride with all the bells and whistles.

Similar Products Used:

After tesr-driving other all-wheel/4-wheel drive SUV's, this is the ONLY ONE that was designed from the ground up to have a luxury-car feel and yet could deal with the worst Idaho backroads in any season.

Smooth, quiet ride and I feel save even at high rates of speed on the freeways

poor paint job It is full of nicks and scratches. Gas tank too small

Have had this SUV for almost 18 months and generally pleased with performance. I live in Oregon and California and this car suits both climates. I have had three other SUVs, this is the most luxurious, but I would like a larger gas tank. I am not happy with the paint job and wish the entire car was about a foot longer

Similar Products Used:

Ford Explorer, Tracker and Honda CRV

Quiet and smooth. I actually need a 4X4 for business and am surprised the Lexus is as good as it is. Dealer service is outstanding!

Large turning radius. Interior quality should be better. Small gas tank.

I loved the Expedition I leased, but got tired of feeding it. The Lexus' gas mileage is roughly 50% better than the Ford's for my kind of driving. However, with regular gas the Lexus' surges and stumbles slightly on low-end acceleration, so using premium reduces the savings over a larger SUV that uses regular gas.

I cannot say enough superlatives for the dealer's attitude. When I bought my RX300, I accepted about four minor dings on the outside of the car because it was used (it had been a dealer loaner car). When I returned it for service, the sales manager met me and apologized for the car's condition, saying it should have never been released to me in that condition. He kept it, gave me a 2001 loaner, and is now having the car brought up to a standard far above what I was willing to accept...and I'm pickey! ...at least I thought I was.

By contrast, I just bought my BMW M3 at the end of its lease and paid the dealer for a "Certified" status. They sold me a tire and wheel warranty that specifically excluded tires sold on every BMW; have taken nearly six weeks to process the title work; cannot figure out how to align a foglight; and have no clue into the terrific customer service mindset of the Lexus dealer. The distance between Japan and Germany is much greater than a straight line between the two countries.

Similar Products Used:

I was considering an Acura MDX. Fortunately, my dealer had a 2001 MDX with 4100 miles on it. I tested the MDX and was impressed (except for the stupid running board, which, if you use it, makes getting in almost impossible for a man). I then got in the Lexus. My first thought was Ahhhhhh. The Lexus made the MDX feel very uncomfortable. I can't imagine it on a long trip. The Lexus is great on the road.

All of the practicality of an SUV without being a beast. Great gas mileage, I've experienced 22mpg since I left the dealership and I'm no light foot.Terrific runabout yet rides like its on rails when on the highway.With 220hp it'll get out of the way when you need to and is very quiet.Most comfortable interior of any car I've ever driven. The seats are exceptitional and the back seat passangers have unusually good leg room for its'size. Excellent build quality. Exceeds my 98 Sevelle and 10 grand less.

Uses preimum gas, needs more room for front passagers knees, get rid of the CRT screen, needs better radio controls. I made them trade out the Goodyear tires due to my poor experience with them on my Caddy for Bridgestones(don't be confused these tires are made in Japan).

Right size, right refined quality, right price, best residual value, best ride,four year warranty,great dealership experience with Sewell.

Similar Products Used:

99 Jeep Grand Charekee Larado, 01 Tahoe, 01 Pathfinder,01 4 Runner,MDX.With the exception of the MDX, they are all trucks, handle like trucks, ride like trucks. A lot of gas, a lota beef,a lota look at me I'm bigger than you are if thats the way you wanna go. The MDX is the only competion out there, but they wouldn't budge on the price. In short the RX300 was 4 grand cheaper,has a higher risidual, and better dealerships.The best auto purchase I've made in a very long time.

The quality of the interior materials appealed to me far more than the MDX. The ride and handling are excellent for an SUV. My Nav system works well, far better than previous Lexus Nav systems in other vehicles.

My transmission is not very smooth. Especially annoying is a "clunk" that I hear every time that the car downshifts just prior to stopping. I would be interested in getting an E-mail from anyone owning an AWD model letting me know if this occurs in their vehicle.

Overall a very nice vehicle, but transmission clunking is annoying.

Similar Products Used:

Test drove the BMW and Acura and thought this was the best vehicle from an overall refinement standpoint.