"WAY better" is an exaggeration i'd say they're very similar.

 

Thanks for the pics and info, because it opened my eyes. I like to build furniture and have trouble hauling much in my 450HL, and so I was looking for something larger. The TX doe not do much either. I had a sienna and I could fit a piece of 4x8 sheet of plywood in it. The console was removeable so I could haul 10 foot boards in it. They stopped making them with removable consoles, so I bought an Oddy, and it was not any better, and was a terrible mountain vehicle as I there was no choice in gearing. The car was either in drive, or low. The CVT is perfect for mountains with its 6 speeds. I haul plywood cut into 2x8 sheets and 8 foot boards in my RX. The TX does not look to be much better than what I have, since I do not have a need for a people hauler. The TX looks like it has somewhat more space with the 3rd row sown, so it would provide some additional room to haul items. I would buy one of the larger Lexus SUVs, but they do not have the CVT, which is a big deal breaker for me.

 

I have sat in the third row of the GH, I'm 6' and 225 lbs (not a small guy) and I fit fine. Its not quite as spacious as the third row in the Pacifica, but its plenty close.

Looking at those pictures I would still say I think the GH looks way better. The front end is much more attractive to me.

 

GH front end is def WAY better.

Something is just off on the front end of the TX.

 

True, I think GH front and C pillars look more purpose built, while TX looks like an afterthought.

So TX 3rd row almost as spacious as MPV 3rd row.
In width too?

Also just out of interest, how spacious is 3rd row in: GX, LX, X7 and GLS?

 

This may be the first time I've ever heard anybody say they prefer a CVT to a traditional automatic transmission.

 

point of clarification, a CVT does not have 6 speeds, it has constantly variable gearing.

 

I will say having had the gas Pacifica with the ZF 9 speed and now with the CVT in the hybrid, I much prefer the CVT. Thats because the 9 speed is so terrible though

 

The CVT in a Toyota is poorly named, because it is nothing like other manufactures CVTs. It has no belts or pulleys to cause slipping. It has no gears as such, but does have the effect of gearing when wanting to slow down or control speed when descending down a mountain pass . Its is inherently smooth during acceleration and there is never a hesitation or hunting for gears. I just cannot imagine wanting any other kind of transmission. There are numerous articles on Toyotas CVT. Here is one. And you do not need to be changing the fluid like normal transmissions.

 

I think it depends on the engine and how well the car is isolated from engine noise. I HATED the CVT in our Prius, and I hate it in most other Toyota/Lexus Hybrids that I have driven. I just hate that monotonous engine drone that comes from accelerating with a CVT.

The CVT in my Pacifica (which is the same design as the Toyota e-CVT) I like because the 9 speed that the gas van comes with is terrible, for one, and in acceleration you typically only get a little burst of engine vs EV power so you really don't hear that monotonous tone.

Mountain driving is actually when I dislike CVTs the most, going up a hill you just hear WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA all at one steady tone and that really irritates me.

 

Not sure why you "hate" the noise, because most people like hearing the engine vs EVs lack of noise.. I like the noise, but it does not drone on unless I really have my foot in it. You may be right that it is not as noticeable in vehicles where there is more noise reduction. I suppose there is some trade off between the noise and the searching for a gear or hesitation on a regular transmission. The gearing going down hill is most effective in limiting speed, because I rarely need to use the brakes. 75500 miles and the brakes are like new.. Never any software update fixes for the transmission. Look at this recent post on the RX forum https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ion-issue.html.

 

The same RPM droning of the engine note is not an appealing noise, its like some piece of machinery or equipment just running. The engine revving up and down is typically an appealing noise. I'm not even a little bit alone in this opinion, like Brett Jacks said most people who are enthusiasts complain about this the other way and avoid vehicles with CVTs. Its also why vehicle manufacturers use a lot of software to make CVTs feel more like regular transmissions

And with an EV, the silent acceleration is incredible. You can keep your engine noise lol

Exactly, it depends on how you drive. If you drive sedately and never accelerate hard you don't get that droning as much, but if you drive in a spirited way like I do and a lot of enthusiasts do the droning sound and the loose disconnected feel of the CVT is just really unappealing, especially in lower powered cars. My wife likes CVTs too.

A good automatic also doesn't hesitate or search for gears, its in the right gear all the time. Hence why I said in my Pacifica I actually prefer the CVT because the regular transmission in the non hybrid is terrible. Going downhill I never use the brakes either because I just downshift to a lower gear and use engine braking on a long grade. Your brakes haven't lasted this long because of the CVT, its because your RX is a hybrid. The regenerative brakes do most of the braking and that makes the service brakes last much much longer (can last 100k miles)

 

The Grand Highlander looks very similar to the RAV4. It’s like a bigger version of it especially the interior. That’s one thing I didn’t like about it. Even the platinum hybrid max didn’t feel premium. It reminded me so much of the RAV4.

 

I 2nd this. We have Toyota/Lexus 6 speed and 8 speed transmission in different vehicles and I prefer the ECVT Toyota uses because it’s smooth and responsive like an EV. Toyota makes good traditional transmissions especially the one that comes in the LS 460. That thing was 🧈

 

Why would you assume or expect the TX to be for enthusiasts? That alone makes no sense. Have you driven the TX? It handles really well without the harshness and the powertrain is responsive. Armchair enthusiasts need not apply.