2009 Lexus RX User Reviews

Pros

decent fuel economy, cargo space, turning headlights

Cons

transmission hesitates & shudders - not responsive -center console is chintzey

Purchased As New

I have had this car for 1 year and I have brought it to lexxus 5 times for the transmission issue plus weird rattling noises in the cabin and in the engine compartment almost like tht heatshield is loose. The dealer tells me there is nothing wrong with the car, the transmission is supposed to hesitate and shudder in traffic or upon acceleration after a turn. this is the way it is designed. Its computerized and it tries to anticipate your next move which causes the hesitation. I also called lexus about it. they said the same thing. nothing they can do. i wish I knew before I shelled out 40K. the console in the middle is chintzey.do yourself a favor and test drive tons of cars before you buy one of these and drive it in traffic....read morehide

Pros

Lux package, backup camera

Cons

bad seats for a bad back, automatic trunk door

Purchased As New

I bought my 2009 Lexus RX 350 brand new last year. Overall I love the car, but there are some minor (maybe for some major) problems. I have a bad back and even though there are many buttons to adjust the seat and "blow" the seat up it is still not comfortable. My husband who doesn't have back problems agrees with this (especially on long drives). We are not very tall (5'2 and 5'7) so that could be a reason, the seats were probably made for taller people. Another thing which is pretty bad if you have kids is that if there is an automatic door for the trunk. The door doesn't have a sensor. So, if it is an automatic and it is closing and you left your hand or something else there than you are in trouble. Lexus dealership told me there is a censor but it is in the middle of the door, but I am sorry how many of our kids will actually put their hands right in the middle?
The car runs great, very smooth ride, we live around hills (San Francisco) and it does great on our "rollercoaster's"....read morehide

Pros

looks, interior design

Cons

transmission, mpg, handling, expensive wheels

i have owned a 350 fwd for about 3 yrs now and I have to say, it has been a disater! I recently changed my tires for $220 a piece which Miliken only makes, then a month later the radiator cracks! I then towed my 350 to the dealer and they asked for $1700 for a new radiator, coolant $140, and a new battery for $230.. I told the service that Lexus should never breakdown like this especially a radiator cracking and the service guy said that Lexus do tend to overheat!

Not to mention, the handling on this car is a joke. Everytime it rains, I have to put the car on to snow traction or else the car would slip and slide on freeways.

The only good thing about this car is its interior design. It feels very luxurious with the wood trims and the blk leather.

If your looking to buy an RX think again. Try the BMW X3, or the new MB GLK.....read morehide

Pros

too much trouble to program gps unessesarily complicated..

Cons

ride much better than comp bmw

other than the lack of room in the drivers seat to put your right leg (it must lean on the tunnel cover and after about a half hour you get sore) and the inability for the temp control to hold temperature within 15 degrees of a setting the car is a nice ride, handles excellent in snow, is more than snappy, and gets good milage (altho you must use super unleaded fuel)...read morehide

Pros

Similar to my RX330 have good performance

Cons

The RX350 will be changed next year by a new design

Lexus RX300 used to be similar to Highlander, from RX330 it is different. RX350 has 3.5 liter engine than the 3.3liter engine, but everything else is the same. Lexus 350 is build in USA, not like highlander that is build in Japan.

Lexus RX350 is smaller than Highlander, unfortunately, which has option for seat of seven and $10K cheaper.

Another thing about Lexus 350 is the model is undergone redesign in the 2010 model, so this RX350 design started in the RX330 will be the last year of this shape. It may fixed most the problem of this model from previous years, but also make this model less resell value in the years to come.

Also Lexus RX350 did not pass the Safest Car of 2009 tests, Toyota Highlander 2009 did pass....read morehide

Pros

Pretty Interior, Navigation Easy To Use

Cons

Mushy ride - not safe on curves. Rattles and wind noise

It has a pretty interior and a nice navigation system that is easy to use. Be careful on curves like mountain roads - the mushy ride can get you in trouble (see the Consumer Reports review), but it also gives a very smooth ride - I would rather a bit less mushy ride for safety sake. The front seat is comfortable and the rear seats give good leg room. The instrument panel is easily laid out and also easy to use. The wood in the interior gives it a very nice luxury look. It sure could use some extra power and will undoubtedly have more in future cars (see the Hybrid, its a 400 which flies right by the 350 I have). The engine is fairly quiet and I get about 18 MPG average which is ok. I have the AWD - All Wheel Drive which I have read is much safer for my family. The heated seats are a good feature on cold days and nights, my kids love them. MAKE SURE TO GET THE BLACK FLOOR MATS, THE LIGHT COLOR MATS SHOW DIRT QUICKLY AND ARE NOT EASY TO CLEAN....read morehide

Pros

Very comfortable interior, good engine performance and gas mileage for a SUV

Cons

slight humming noise from transmission that dealer says is standard for at least the AWD.

The sloped styling limits interior load capibility. My 4 runner had quite a bit more more inside due to the styling. MP3 plug in should be standard for this price, but don't think it is even available. The care is very comfortable in town and on longer road trips. Took 4 adults on a 12 hour road trip with golf clubs and we were all very comfortable. I really like the way the seats fold down without having to flip the rear bench seat forward. Would like to see seat cooling for this luxory brand. Leather gets very hot in our Sacramento summers. Overall a very satisfying vehicle and you can't beat Luxus service and reliability!...read morehide

Pros

Beautiful. Comfortable. Roomy. LOVE the bluetooth for my phone. Crazy about this car!

Cons

The nav system is not very intutive. Love having the tape player and 6 CD player! Audio great.

Lush lush lush. And handy. Like the way the back seats snap down flat to put big things in the back. I love everything about this car. Grateful for the bluetooth and talking on the phone through the sound system... glad not to have the phone or bluetooth to my ear. Feel safe on the road. It's beautiful....read morehide

Pros

Smooth,quiet ride, rain sensor wipers, good mpg for SUV

Cons

Bulky storage between front seats, uncomfortable shallow front seats

As a previous Lexus owner, the discomfort of the front seats is very surprising. I am hoping the seats become more comfortable in time-I have only had this 10 weeks. I do like the paint color, interior finish(except bulky storage) and handling. The transmission did seem to be slipping quite badly-service tested and drove withe me-assured me it was normal as the computer for the car learns my driving style and slower speed,. I did compare it to a loaner on the lot-it did not have the "slippage" as it was driven more aggressively by the salesman. MPG is pretty good-22mpg overall....read morehide

Pros

Excellent driver visibility forward, interior comfortable and quiet for SUV, nice looking exterior

Cons

Controls and NAV are not very intutive needs improvement, not confident taking curves at high speed

After owning an Infinity I decided to switch this year and check out Lexus. Huge difference in performance, handling and control. Lexus iinterior controls are not as intutive as other cars and SUV, the handling is similair to my 1997 Cheep Grand Cherokee which I love but not confident handling at high speeds especially around turns. If you owned a Tahoo it seems you are in love when you switch to Lexus. The jury is still out for me as I only have ahd this Lexus 350AWD for 2 weeks, so I may eventually come to like it, but I miss the performance and excitment of driving Infinity's and not sure how I will survive 3-years in this lease....read morehide