Had the pleasure of driving a brand new Lexus RX350 for a day. Loaded vehicle with a sticker close to 50k with all the bells/whistles. I now own a 2010 Outback 3.6 Limited and it completely blows away the RX350 in so many ways. The only real bonus of this extra cash for the Lexus was a much softer ride, nice steering wheel and the service department was incredible. (I had to bring my mother's Lexus IS250 in for service and was amazed at the customer service.)


Here is a list of Outback features that were much nicer than the Lexus:

• Engine power and transmission smoothness - much faster
• Leather softness and comfort
• Radio controls and other dash functions
• Overall fit/finish of wood trim, etc.

Ironically, the impact of wind on the vehicle was the same as driving my Outback. I suspect this is from the height of the vehicles. Of course, the Lexus did not have any vibration and I hope my replacement 2011 will be shake free also.

Despite the incredible service department and prestige, I see no value in spending the extra cash on the Lexus. It certainly would not be a good vehicle to take on a mountain road in Vermont.

Sorry I must disagree with you on this. The Lexus is a much much better driving vehicle. (I wouldn't pay that much more) But you can get a a new rx350 for about 38K these days. (without navi)

Overall fit and finish-Lexus wins
Leather softness-Lexus wins on softness and much better quality leather
Engine Power and smoothness-Again Lexus wins..

If you drove both vehicles for a week you would be hard pressed to give that Lexus back.

But, all that said, the Outback 3.6 is a great vehicle with a great price. The outback has more room and is easier to get dirty. The lexus is a highway cruiser though!

 

We bought our first Lexus RX in 2000 and have been in one ever since. We were about to get a new RX when the Motor Trend picked the Outback SUV of the year over the RX. I told my wife we would go to the dealer on a Sunday when no one was there just to look. I was pretty sure we wouldn't like the OB. It turned out we both loved it. We went back when the dealer was open and did some test drives and ordered one. I can agree with you on almost all the points you make above. OB leather is softer and more comfortable. I have a 4 cyl so I can't comment on being more powerful but I do enjoy the increased gas mileage with the OB plus the RX requires premium fuel. RX may have the edge on fit, finish and softer ride but the OB is close enough. OB has the edge on handling and AWD performance.
Lexus has incredible service department and prestige but at a very, very steep price. I almost consider it borderline fraud what they do to people when they go in and unknowing request something like "do the recommended 30K service". But you do get cappuccino, croissants and a very nice loaner.

 

A close buddy of mine has the RX its about 3 months older than our OB both of us have kids just turning 1 and are hauling all the associated crap that comes with a 1yr old. We both have the same car seat the biggest **** thing on the market Britex model.

Both of us are about the same height and when it comes to the RX he has the kids car seat crammed behind the front passenger seat given he can't even get into the RX with the car seat centered or behind the driver seat. And the front passenger seat in the RX is pushed pretty far forward as a result. He was completely shocked when he saw the OB and my kids seat behind the driver seat. He even got in the driver seat to see if he could fit. Not only did he fit but he said there was more room than what he had in the RX. Then he sat in the back with the kids seat - and said no way in **** that he could ride in the back of the RX for any distance but the OB he could see him self hanging out back there with his son while his wife drove ha ha.

As for quality the Lexus is a step up regarding materials and fancy bits but they can do that with the price people are paying for them. Does the difference in quality justify nearly 18K more on the price tag? Not really. As for handling the RX has a stiffer more direct ride which gives you the impression that its more sporty but once you get sporty with the RX its weight comes into play quite fast and its pretty clear the OB is more tossable if you want to call it that. Regarding off road ability we all know the RX is just a AWD paved road runner with slightly better snow ability than a FWD car.

I like the RX but when it comes to space - value and ability the RX is lacking.

 

RX is a perfect car...... for Pharmacist....
Went to a kid party last year where the parent where both pharmacists and over half the guest wehre their co-workers.... almost all of them drive an RX!

I wonder if I get invited to an OBgyn parties what would I see.....LOL

 

RX is a perfect car...... for Pharmacist....
Went to a kid party last year where the parent where both pharmacists and over half the guest wehre their co-workers.... almost all of them drive an RX!

I wonder if I get invited to an OB parties what would I see.....LOL

The SVP of my org that pulled in 350 million last year drives a 2006 OB and my ski bum cousin has a 2003 OB guessing the range of people with OB is much greater LOL

 

I've logged a couple of thousand miles in a rx hybrid and I too prefer the OB. My 3.6 is way more fun to drive the rx feels more detached from the driving experience than any car I've drive. The lexus gets high marks for fit and finish though and I imagine the dealer treats you better.. Apart from the drive the other things that drove me nuts about the rx was poor ability to drive in deep snow and the poor user interface to the nav.

 

poor user interface to the nav.

What's funny is the Nav in a OB is the very same system found in the RX.

 

Britex, I'm sorry that thing is ginormous!!!!! My kids are 4 and 9. Luckily we didn't see those around with our oldest.

Also, I think this shows just how the tastes of people are different. A "good" handling car can mean many different things. I live in Michigan and the roads suck, so I want a car that can take all the potholes, frost heaves, bad pavement, etc.

 

Let's face it, just talking about the OB vs the Lexus say's allot about the overall quality and value the OB presents. Guy up the street leased one-$486 for 36. A very cheap lease for a 50k car. It looks like a Mazda from the rear and those small triangle windows up front say minivan. I would never buy this car for 50k. Really, it's a glorified Highlander when it comes down to it. I'm in my 50's and I see most of the people that are driving these are 60+ and female.

 

I was dead set on getting a 2006 RX 330 before considering the Outback. I'm not crazy about the Lexus image (I'd rather just see a Toyota label on it), but unlike the Land Cruiser vs. LX-470 comparison, the Lexus is a much much nicer than the Toyota equivalent.

Anyway, when comparing to similar cars (X5, ML, etc) the RX is hard to beat in terms of fit, finish, resale, and reliability. However, after driving the OB, I realized I could have a brand new car for a few thousand more, and have it be under warranty, better AWD, 50,000 less miles, more room, and a car that "fit" my age and demographic a lot better (late 20's, two kids).

For those who don't care (or don't even like) the Lexus image, the Subaru is likely a great candidate.

 

For all its "shaker flaws," no product from Subaru has been associated with unintended acceleration as far as I know, especially that which has resulted in deaths, as Lexus has.

I'd stick with the Outback (once the shaker issue is resolved). It is a safer and more rugged car with a superior AWD system to the Lexus. And the value quotient is MUCH higher.

 

haha... I was counting how many posts it takes for someone here to mention the "unintended acceleration" on Lexus!!!

shaker vs unitended acceleration!!!! that's a tough one....LOL

 

I like Lexus paint but as far as fit and finish I don't see anything special with the RX. Sure it's a notch above the OB but I thought the inside quality was on the cheesy side for a near 50k car. Has anybody been in a new Toyota and looked at the interior quality? They are going with the Venza type plastics which are down right ugly IMHO.

 

Toyota is on record as stating they are going to cheapen their cars.

REPORT: Toyota cutting supplier expenses by 30%, probably means using cheaper parts — Autoblog

The result of this rash decision is already becoming evident in their quality which is falling while their prices are either staying the same or rising.

Personally I don't think I'd feel either happy or safe riding around in a vehicle in which "parts roulette" had been played.

As for the new Outback, it is my impression that the quality generally has gone up and not down with the possible exception of the "shaker" problem which may or may not be a consequence of a cheapened part or parts. I hope not.

 

My brother-in-law drives a leased RX330 that his company pays for. He made fun of me for ordering an OB because it's a station wagon. He had mentioned how nice and big the new RX350 is and I told him the OB got much bigger inside for '10. We passed by a new OB on the highway last week and he said it looks small. So the next day I sent him this email:

Based on your comments that the RX 350 is big and the Outback is small,
I did a little research. They have identical 107.9" wheelbases, but the
Outback is 0.4" longer at 188.2". The Outback has more headroom and
more rear leg room (front leg room is within 0.1"). But get this: the
RX 350 weighs an astounding 709 pounds heavier!! Hence, the Outback is
faster and gets better gas mileage. On the other hand, the Outback is
considered a "station wagon." Maybe that's why it costs $12,500 less? =)

 

Just tell him his RX looks like a turtle on wheels seriously they do. Granted he could care less given his RX costs him nothing its on the company dime. Just a fancy looking AWD Camry when it comes down to the actual parts that make up the RX.

 

The camry platform has the following cars built on it. The sienna, Venza - RX - the older Highlander before they supersized it like a truck - guessing a few of the Lexus 4dr cars also sit on the same platform. That weight difference is what you pointed out - AWD gear and a few heavier bits here and there but the "platform" is a camry. Just like Subaru only makes three platforms Impreza, legacy and Tribeca - the Forrester sits on the Impreza platform and the Outback sits on the Legacy platform.

If people find the Honda Civic too small chances are the CRV is also given they sit on the same civic platform. LOL

 

Leather interior....Biggest scam from all auto maker..... you always have to get the most expensive trim to get it..... On my Wife Toyota Sienna, I think that leather option cost us $10K in higher trim + option packages (most of them we don't need).....
I like OB in that you can still get heated cloth seat...that way, you can get after market leather seat installed and still get heated seat..... Unlike toyota sienna ....(well at least in 2007)

 

We have both 2008 RX 350 and 2011 OB 3.6. I agree with the fact that Lexus has prestige and the service department is super, except that you pay $200 for oil change. (No wonder that they have money for coffee and donuts).
With driving experience, like someone said here, RX is a highway cruiser. Great, comfortable and very quiet ride. On the other hand, it is horrible in snow. We had many times when it would go sideways on an icy road. (Luckily it was on local roads and slow speeds)
Took RX off road in the mountains a couple of times, and got to tell that it is definitely not off road vehicle. First, going on pretty smooth gravel road, it would shake a lot, and swirl from side to side on speeds over 40mph. Had to go at about 20mph (was afraid the car would fall apart (civic had to go around us))
When we had to cross a creek, the car got stuck in the mud before even reaching the creek. (Had to turn off awd to get out and turn around)
I had not have a chance to test OB off road or in winter conditions, but from some reason I feel more confident it will be better.

 

The RX ghost walked on the icy road? Geeze man that comment might start a multi year zillion post thread on this site! HA HA Yes the cheap Toyota AWD system is AWD light not to be confused with the AWD system they put in the 4Runner - Landcruiser etc.

 

I thought the RX added the ability to turn off trac and AWD in 2010 with their new AWD system but I could be wrong about that. Hopefully Outnaboutback will post back and straighten me out. He has the car. I got rid of my last one for the OB. I didn't get another one due to service cost and premium fuel requirement.
I was never a big fan of my RXs AWD system but I have to admit it did climb out of my snow covered driveawy better than my CVT OB. I don't know but suspect that the 3.6 OB has a better system.

 

When I bought my 07 OBW this summer, I considered 05 & 06 RX330s. I preferred the RX interior, V6, ride, and solid feel. I preferred the OBW AWD system and exterior styling. The RX was a bit too tall for my wife to transfer into easily from her wheelchair, plus my target was more of a utility vehicle rather than luxury. Finding an OBW for about $8K less than an RX certainly helped things.