Originally Posted by oldcajun

While the RX400h is quiet for an SUV, it is still pretty loud inside at 80mph compared to most luxury sedans. The ES350 is dramaticlly quieter at similar speeds. I think it has to do with the size of the "box" and the window area. As for the range issue, on the interstate I was hard pressed to comfortably go 300 miles. Between Tucson and either San Diego or LA, the gas stations are pretty far apart. With the ES350 I can go about 400 miles comfortably. That means I can gas up in Yuma at Arizona gas prices and not need to refuel until I get back to Yuma on the way home. Price difference between AZ and CA is now almost $.50 a gallon.

The seats in the RX were very comfortable for me, but I found at the end of long trips my left leg had been resting on the door and I had a sore spot on my knee. I tried shifting around, but that position always returned when I relaxed.

As I said, I really miss some of the RX400h features and will certainly look at the new one when the lease on this sedan is up. Some of the neat new features on the sedan should be in the RX by then.
Steve

Originally Posted by MD350

Interesting...my ES has been nothing but a disappointment. I now have an RX loaner which I fell in love with and am thinking about dumping the ES for the RX. True the gas mileage is better on the ES, but in my opinion the RX is a Lexus and the ES is a Camry. The quality is much better on the RX. Just my 2 cents.

Originally Posted by oldcajun

I really don't notice any difference in quality! The ES350 is indeed derived from the Camry platform and shares Camry mechanicals, but the RX is derived from the Camry platform also, although the nearest Toyota equavilent is the Highlander. Both the Highlander and RX are derived from the Siena minivan platform which was derived from the Camry. The RX350 engine is the same as the ES350. The transmissions are different - the ES has the Camry 6 speed while the RX has the 5 speed shared with the Avalon.

The RX400h shares most of its mechanical parts with the Highlander hybrid including the unique to hybrid CVT.

What makes a Lexus a Lexus instead of a Toyota in many cases is the luxury features and the dealer network. When you get to the rear wheel drive cars, in the US, they are limited to Lexus, but in other parts of the world, they are sold as Toyotas.

As I said, there are things about the Rx400h that I miss, but so far, the ES350 has been all that I could ask for in a luxury car at a very low price.

Steve