[Maik]

You simply can't compare a Lexus to a Subaru. They are in totally different classes and will, for the most part, appeal to different people. Lexus is a luxury brand and as much as folks want to think they own a luxury vehicle in an Outback Touring XT, they do not. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my Outback, but it simply does not compare to my Acura MDX even though it does have many of the same features. There is a reason why the Lexus/Acura's are $25k more....

 

[Outbakkr]

Silver Onyx,
Do you feel the Lexus TX is worthwhile? We decided to keep our 2020 Outback XT and pick up either a 2024 Ascent, TX, or Grand Highlander. My sister in law has an Ascent, so we are familiar with it. We feel it is a much better value than the Toyota or Lexus, but I believe my wife is leaning towards the Lexus.

Lexus did a great job with the TX, IF that is what you're after. Very subjective how one looks at things when shopping vehicles, this conversation can keep evolving to other models and carry-on for ever. I will personally will get one by summertime when the lease on my wife's GX is up (or maybe sooner as my wife really wants it). I will get the TX500h F-Sport.

 

[SilverOnyx]

Silver Onyx,
Do you feel the Lexus TX is worthwhile? We decided to keep our 2020 Outback XT and pick up either a 2024 Ascent, TX, or Grand Highlander. My sister in law has an Ascent, so we are familiar with it. We feel it is a much better value than the Toyota or Lexus, but I believe my wife is leaning towards the Lexus.

I just saw a review on SavageGeese about that car and according to them, the changes that Lexus did to the Grand Highlander to transform it into the Lexus TX is significant. For utility, space, all of them will do, but if you can afford the "luxury experience" and want something that feels special every time you get behind the wheel, you may want to at least test drive the TX.

 

[motoretro]

Adding all that ugly is expensive.

This has been the elephant in the room from the get-go here.

That, and also, deep down, a Lexus is still a Toyota at the core.

Ahhh, but is there a Cappuccino machine in the lounge?

 

[motoretro]

I just saw a review on SavageGeese about that car and according to them, the changes that Lexus did to the Grand Highlander to transform it into the Lexus TX is significant. For utility, space, all of them will do, but if you can afford the "luxury experience" and want something that feels special every time you get behind the wheel, you may want to at least test drive the TX.

My guess is premium fuel will be required on the Turbo 4 as the HP/Torque ratings are higher. I've driven the Toyota version of this engine and it's much less refined than I expected.

 

[puppychow]

Ahhh, but is there a Cappuccino machine in the lounge?

There is a Cappuccino machine, lounge with couches, and work-stations, at the local Subaru dealer here.

 

[motoretro]

There is a Cappuccino machine, lounge with couches, and work-stations, at the local Subaru dealer here.

Count me, surprised and impressed. I've purchased (3) new Subaru(s) at different locations and best I've experienced is a 1/2 dozen metal/vinyl chairs and a Bunn coffee pot, that's as good as it gets. Local Toyota dealer is the same, maybe a bar stool or two also.

 

[johnre]

Ahhh, but is there a Cappuccino machine in the lounge?

There is a Cappuccino machine, lounge with couches, and work-stations, at the local Subaru dealer here.

Count me, surprised and impressed. I've purchased (3) new Subaru(s) at different locations and best I've experienced is a 1/2 dozen metal/vinyl chairs and a Bunn coffee pot, that's as good as it gets. Local Toyota dealer is the same, maybe a bar stool or two also.

All these amenities only serve to tell me "you may spend more time here than what we estimated, and you may incur a higher bill than what you counted on spending".

My independent service facility has no such amenities, last I checked. I don't care; the place isn't supposed to be any more than what they advertise - competent service at fair rates and no drama unless it's necessary. And absolutely no BS.

If I want a cappuccino, I'll go to a decent coffee shop, where it isn't coming out of a pod machine.

 

[motoretro]

Oddly enough I recently stumbled across a independent shop who's lounge puts most dealers to shame. Top notch, always spotless and very accommodating. Their service rates were very fair, they found a potential problem I was unaware of.

As far as dealers go, I typically use the shuttle service to drop me off at a nearby local coffee shop whose Cappuccino is excellent and true to form. They pick me back up in a hour.

 

[HKshooter]

This has been the elephant in the room from the get-go here.

That, and also, deep down, a Lexus is still a Toyota at the core.

This. Hi priced Toyota.

Now, I like me some Toyota. Family has driven Toyota for decades and have had very good luck so don't think I'm hating on the brand. It just doesn't make sense to go out and find the most expensive model of a vehicle that can be had for much less only under a different name.

 

[Maik]

This. Hi priced Toyota.

Now, I like me some Toyota. Family has driven Toyota for decades and have had very good luck so don't think I'm hating on the brand. It just doesn't make sense to go out and find the most expensive model of a vehicle that can be had for much less only under a different name.

Funny, I hear this all the time about Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura. It is really quite ridiculous. They are not the same car. Do they share some similarities? Absolutely. I owned a 2002 Acura MDX which was a terrific car.....after 17 years and 340,000 miles it was time to move on. Believing that the Honda Pilot and the MDX were essentially the same car, I went with the top trim Pilot. Big mistake on my part. They were not at all the same, so after a couple of years I traded the Pilot for another MDX and I can tell you first hand that they are not at all the same car with a different badge. Same thing with Toyota/Lexus....do you really think that enough people buy the Lexus/Acura's to sustain the brand simply because they carry a different name plate? There is a reason why the MDX is $20,000 more than a comparable Pilot.

 

[johnre]

I can tell you first hand that they [Honda / Acura] are not at all the same car with a different badge. Same thing with Toyota/Lexus....do you really think that enough people buy the Lexus/Acura's to sustain the brand simply because they carry a different name plate? There is a reason why the MDX is $20,000 more than a comparable Pilot.

If I look at the websites for Honda Pilot and Acura MDX, I see the same sheet metal. Same V-6 3.5 litre engine. Same 10-speed automatic. The list goes on.

But agreed, option packages exist that differentiate the premium name from the base name, and are sold at a much higher price differential than what would be possible in the base name. That's intentional, of course.

But the real reason they can sustain the premium name and dealership network, given the very low volume, is not just this higher profit margin. It's also because the base parts suppliers, the manufacturing line, the distribution network, the service training, and the replacement parts system has much commonality.

If Subaru made a premium name out of "Wilderness", packed on even more exclusive options, and sold these specially badged Outbacks and Foresters out of a different dealership network, it would be much the same situation.

 

[SilverOnyx]

The bottom line is to try both the regular toyota/honda vs the lexus/acura and see if the differences in interior, driving experience, are significant. It could be that in some vehicles the differences are not so much and in others it's huge. I can take a car and just change the shocks and struts and it can feel like a different car. The tuning of a suspension can dramatically change how the car behaves for better or worse.

 

[motoretro]

While a odd comparison, the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave are built in the same factory, share WB, same engine/trans and could not be any different IMO in regards to fit and finish, both inside and out. I've driven both and the Buick IMO is much quieter and interior is definitely a notch up. Price is not as different though.

 

[Roundabout2021]

All these amenities only serve to tell me "you may spend more time here than what we estimated, and you may incur a higher bill than what you counted on spending".

My independent service facility has no such amenities, last I checked. I don't care; the place isn't supposed to be any more than what they advertise - competent service at fair rates and no drama unless it's necessary. And absolutely no BS.

If I want a cappuccino, I'll go to a decent coffee shop, where it isn't coming out of a pod machine.

I never "wait" for my car. I always feel waiting may result in a hurried job.

We used to do night drop-off with our previous cars, but the Subi dealer is further away.

So, as retirees, we now do an early appointment and semi-day trip. Wife follows me out (and vice-versa for her), we drop off the car, we have a nice breakfast at local diners (with her car the dealer gives a discount coupon for the close-by restaurant), then go to Costco, then stop at local bookstores, and finish at local wine and beer shops, or farmer's markets. I usually get a 'finished' call from the dealer while in the wine shop, we then go pick up the car, and drive home separately and stop on personal errands, or maybe even stop for lunch at a new place we want to try.

 

[eccop]

Funny, I hear this all the time about Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura. It is really quite ridiculous. They are not the same car. Do they share some similarities? Absolutely. I owned a 2002 Acura MDX which was a terrific car.....after 17 years and 340,000 miles it was time to move on. Believing that the Honda Pilot and the MDX were essentially the same car, I went with the top trim Pilot. Big mistake on my part. They were not at all the same, so after a couple of years I traded the Pilot for another MDX and I can tell you first hand that they are not at all the same car with a different badge. Same thing with Toyota/Lexus....do you really think that enough people buy the Lexus/Acura's to sustain the brand simply because they carry a different name plate? There is a reason why the MDX is $20,000 more than a comparable Pilot.

Before we bought our Ascent, we test drove the 2023 MDX and Pilot (new gen) and to me the MDX is an inferior product to both the Ascent and Pilot because the engine transmission is not as smooth as the Pilot's, the windows are smaller so harder to see out. Third row space / comfort was a joke compared to the Ascent's, I actually sat in the 3rd when the wife was driving. Visibility was not great and the fake engine sound pumped into the already noisy cabin killed the driving experience. I know that everyone's different but for people like me, the MDX (2023) is worse than both the Pilot and Ascent. If I had to go with Honda, my money would go with the Pilot.

 

[Maik]

I agree with your assertion that everyone is different with respect to what important to them in a car....my point was simply that to say an MDX and Pilot are the same is simply not correct. Your comment regarding the third row....in the 21 years I have owned a car with a third row, I have never even opened it! For me, neither the Pilot nor the Ascent possess the creature comforts that I enjoy in the MDX.
Everyone's taste, needs and affordability are different....all three are fine cars in my opinion.

 

[joepilot]

Adding all that ugly is expensive.

You beat me to it! Even if they were the same price I would never buy a Lexus, just because of the extremely ugly front end they have these days. One of the ugliest cars on the road in my book. I know, YMMV and all that, but Lexus is definitely NOT going to show up in my garage anytime soon at any price point.

 

[puppychow]

Count me, surprised and impressed. I've purchased (3) new Subaru(s) at different locations and best I've experienced is a 1/2 dozen metal/vinyl chairs and a Bunn coffee pot, that's as good as it gets. Local Toyota dealer is the same, maybe a bar stool or two also.

Yea. The dealership is swank for being a Subaru dealership. The service advisor is good, the service manager is excellent. The only thing not so great - are the gorillas masquerading as Subaru techs.

 

[StanTheMan]

I would never buy a Lexus, just because of the extremely ugly front end they have these days.

+1, that "gaping maw" front end is a complete turn off. I find that uglier than Subaru cladding.