Drove the new (2016) Lexus RX350 the other day.

[JulesMaximus]

My wife and I are thinking of getting her one of these next year so we went and test drove one. I really liked it. Looks are kind of polarizing but I think it looks good in person and the interior is really nice. Ride is nice, it is smooth but it doesn't wallow and feels pretty composed if you pick up the pace a bit. Inside the cabin is very quiet and very comfortable as you would expect from a Lexus.

Engine is rated at 295hp and it doesn't require premium. Fuel economy is rated at 20 city and 28 highway which is on par with her ES350.

I've always liked the outgoing model but this one just seems a bit better in every way and the interior looks fantastic which is something I did not care for on the 2015 model (we get them as loaners every once in a while).

 

[nakedfrog]

That front grill... man, is that thing ugly.

 

[evident]

looks great, and im sure it's only improved since the second gen. Not sure why lexus can't find a place to put sunglass holders anymore. thats one of the most irritating things on my IS.

 

[HitAnyKey]

That front grill... man, is that thing ugly.

Agreed. That is just plain awful to look at. The odd camera angles on their site suggest they know its ugly. That grill looks like pretty common across their lineup. Parts bin savings and an ugly front grill.

The rest of the vehicle is absolutely brilliant. But that grill is just plain ridiculous. Reminds me of the Mazda smiling grill except without the smile.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Agreed. That is just plain awful to look at. The odd camera angles on their site suggest they know its ugly. That grill looks like pretty common across their lineup. Parts bin savings and an ugly front grill.

The rest of the vehicle is absolutely brilliant. But that grill is just plain ridiculous. Reminds me of the Mazda smiling grill except without the smile.

None of their lineup carry the exact same front grill. They all share the same design cues but they are also significantly different enough that there wouldn't be any parts bin savings across the lineup.

Honestly, I wasn't crazy about it when I first saw it but they seem to be selling well and the look has grown on me. Plus, my wife likes it and if it keeps us from getting into an X5 or GLE350 and saving $10k plus in the process I'm all for it.

I do think it looks better in person.

 

[eng2d2]

My SIL has one. Its a good car or its a lexus. Just like any other lexus.

 

[shabby]

Agreed. That is just plain awful to look at. The odd camera angles on their site suggest they know its ugly. That grill looks like pretty common across their lineup. Parts bin savings and an ugly front grill.

Whoever at toyota came up with that grill design should be fired.

I mean ffs... wtf!

 

[Brian Stirling]

That front grill... man, is that thing ugly.

+ 6.0221409e+23


Brian

 

[darkswordsman17]

Its not just the grilles either, Toyota's styling as a whole now is just...its like they're forcing their designers to work the clay models with hatchets or something.

I know Lexus has good brand loyalty but they went from conservative but tasteful styling to "let's make cartoon caricatures of cars" in like a decade.

I'm actually surprised that their new design language hasn't worked against them considering the Lexus drivers I see tend to be 50+ year old affluent white people that decided they'd buy anything but a Cadillac (and can't really afford a German car and the maintenance) to try and delude themselves that they're not getting old. But then that's probably just this area. But then maybe that's actually working to their advantage (instead of them buying a sports car for their mid-life crisis they can roll in hideous luxury)?

 

[evident]

predator grill on my is350 fsport looks great. i do admit, i wasn't sure at first but it really grew on me. regardless of the front, the rest of the car's styling is just on point.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Its not just the grilles either, Toyota's styling as a whole now is just...its like they're forcing their designers to work the clay models with hatchets or something.

I know Lexus has good brand loyalty but they went from conservative but tasteful styling to "let's make cartoon caricatures of cars" in like a decade.

I'm actually surprised that their new design language hasn't worked against them considering the Lexus drivers I see tend to be 50+ year old affluent white people that decided they'd buy anything but a Cadillac (and can't really afford a German car and the maintenance) to try and delude themselves that they're not getting old. But then that's probably just this area. But then maybe that's actually working to their advantage (instead of them buying a sports car for their mid-life crisis they can roll in hideous luxury)?

Yeah, I'd much rather pay $10k more for a less reliable vehicle that will cost me more to maintain... that makes perfect financial sense. :sneaky:

Honestly, I've driven the Mercedes-Benz GLE350 and I wasn't overly impressed by it and the ML it replaces isn't exactly known for its reliability and the X5 is rated even worse and Audi is even worse than that. Does Cadillac even make an SUV in this segment that isn't utter crap? I hadn't considered that brand at all actually.

Anyway, we have plenty of time. Just looking at various options here at this point. She likes the Lexus though and since she is ferrying 3 teenage boys (our son and two of his friends) to school every day she kind of does need the room.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Does Cadillac even make an SUV in this segment that isn't utter crap? I hadn't considered that brand at all actually.

XT5 is a winner - should be out this summer.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/19/2017-cadillac-xt5-la-auto-show-official/

Cadillac will sell 65,000 SRX's this year.

I'd strongly also consider the MDX which was redesigned in 2014 and has a 3rd row.

Other choices:
2017 Mazda CX9 - http://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/18/2017-mazda-cx9-official/

 

[JulesMaximus]

XT5 is a winner - should be out this summer.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/19/2017-cadillac-xt5-la-auto-show-official/

Cadillac will sell 65,000 SRX's this year.

I'd strongly also consider the MDX which was redesigned in 2014 and has a 3rd row.

Other choices:
2017 Mazda CX9 - http://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/18/2017-mazda-cx9-official/

Why would you think they'd sell 65,000 SRX's this year? They sold slightly less than 57,000 of them in 2013 and a little more than 53,000 in 2014. Are they wheelin' and dealin' on the price?

The XT5 isn't available yet and I'm not sure I'd buy a first year GM of any sort quite frankly.

My experience with Acura has always been very poor in the customer service rating compared to Lexus, which is top notch.

That Mazda looks nice but again, not available yet.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Why would you think they'd sell 65,000 SRX's this year? They sold slightly less than 57,000 of them in 2013 and a little more than 53,000 in 2014. Are they wheelin' and dealin' on the price?

The XT5 isn't available yet and I'm not sure I'd buy a first year GM of any sort quite frankly.

My experience with Acura has always been very poor in the customer service rating compared to Lexus, which is top notch.

That Mazda looks nice but again, not available yet.

You did say you were looking at next year, correct? Both of these will release mid 2016 and you are looking at a first year RX. Chevy beat Lexus in JD Power initial quality, Cadillac was trailing Lexus though.

Cadillac has sold 62K SRX's to date - 1 more month and they will easily hit 65K. Auto sale for 2015 are way way up - and Crossovers are making up a higher percentage of sales as gas prices are low and wages are up.

For 2015:
Explorer - highest selling year in 10yrs
GMC Acadia - highest selling year ever
Honda Pilot - highest selling year in 9 yrs
4-Runner - highest selling year in 8 yrs

Overall car sales are down year over year.

Grand Cherokee was the best selling mid-size SUV in America this year. I'd recommend it but I think your wife want something very car like. My buddy has the 3.0L Diesel in his Overland 4x4, but he is also a die hard Mopar guy with a 392 in the garage as well. It's much more manly and less soccer mom.

 

[core2slow]

Ugly as sin.

I do question the people who buy into Toyota's/Lexusss corporate grille but I take it that 75% of them are blind as a bat and the other 25% genuinely like to ride in an abominable, grotesque-looking SUVs who still hold onto the belief that ONLY lexus make reliable cars these days.

I'm gonna throw up...

 

[AdamK47]

I've never understood why every luxury brand insists on having an analog clock. I think it looks tacky and pretentious with marginal usefulness.

 

[Jimzz]

That front grill... man, is that thing ugly.

Yea I can't get over that. Hyundai has a larger opening now on some of its cars but Toyota took it to another level.

 

[Beer4Me]

I think it looks great, and the interior is amazing. Waiting 1-2 years so I can grab one CPO for the wife to replace her aging IS250. Should be enough room for the 3 of us. Huge fan of the Cabernet interior. My GS has the Cab interior too.

 

[dawheat]

Any chance you did a comparison with the MDX? Seem to be quite similar.

Not a huge fan of the front or interior design in pictures, though I assume the interior especially looks better in person.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Any chance you did a comparison with the MDX? Seem to be quite similar.

Not a huge fan of the front or interior design in pictures, though I assume the interior especially looks better in person.

I'm not a fan of Acura vehicles in general and their customer service is shit compared to Lexus.

 

[Midwayman]

predator grill on my is350 fsport looks great. i do admit, i wasn't sure at first but it really grew on me. regardless of the front, the rest of the car's styling is just on point.

I kinda like it on the IS350. However when they scale it vertically for a SUV its just comically bad.

 

[soulcougher73]

Not a fan of the new lexus looks

 

[Aharami]

the Lexus predator grill has grown on me. I really like the new IS

 

[JulesMaximus]

You did say you were looking at next year, correct? Both of these will release mid 2016 and you are looking at a first year RX. Chevy beat Lexus in JD Power initial quality, Cadillac was trailing Lexus though.

Cadillac has sold 62K SRX's to date - 1 more month and they will easily hit 65K. Auto sale for 2015 are way way up - and Crossovers are making up a higher percentage of sales as gas prices are low and wages are up.

For 2015:
Explorer - highest selling year in 10yrs
GMC Acadia - highest selling year ever
Honda Pilot - highest selling year in 9 yrs
4-Runner - highest selling year in 8 yrs

Overall car sales are down year over year.

Grand Cherokee was the best selling mid-size SUV in America this year. I'd recommend it but I think your wife want something very car like. My buddy has the 3.0L Diesel in his Overland 4x4, but he is also a die hard Mopar guy with a 392 in the garage as well. It's much more manly and less soccer mom.

:thumbsdown: I would never buy a Jeep in a million years. They are garbage.

That Cadillac looks interesting. Any idea what they will cost? I would only consider it if it came in around $50k well equipped.

 

[twinrider1]

I've grown to like their grille styling on the cars a little. But that thing just looks too big on the RX350. Maybe if it weren't big slats. Or the vehicle was black. Maybe a smaller pattern.