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So we upgraded from a 2015 LX to a new 2018 a few weeks ago.
One of the first things I noticed was how tinny / hollow the doors sound.
The 2015 was a bank vault.
You let go of the outside handle and there was a thunk.
Now it sounds like a Kia Rio...hollow metal.
Do I have a defect?
Did they forget some insulation?
It's not unique to your's. We've got a 2017 and a 2013 and previously had a 2010. One of the first things I noticed about the 2017 was the tinny sound it makes when you close the doors. I assume it's structurally just as sound but it sounds like crap compared to the 2013 and 2010.
It's not unique to your's. We've got a 2017 and a 2013 and previously had a 2010. One of the first things I noticed about the 2017 was the tinny sound it makes when you close the doors. I assume it's structurally just as sound but it sounds like crap compared to the 2013 and 2010.
I'd make the same generalization between my '13 and wife's '01. Neither of the trucks has wind noise up to ecu governed speed.
Steel that's just a little thinner, not as much internal bracing, and plastic fasteners instead of steel all help with lighter weight. Which allows Toyota an easier time with CAFE standards and more profit.
my lx470 was a tank, both my 570s feel like they shed a lot of weight in the door area, as in they are hollow. so yea i think 570 make a sound sound which is worse than my LS460/ when you close the doors. you dont hear a nice thud sound.
I agree the doors don't provide your typical luxury car sound. Then again, all of our luxury vehicles have soft-closing doors now, except the newest one (the LX). You'd be surprised how hard it is to get used to fully closing the doors again! Especially since I still drive the others. I find myself shutting the LX doors twice every time I get into it.
Loved our 2015 too.
Here's an action shot - Tahoe.
Wish our 2018 had the door insulation of the 2015.
I find it hard to believe LEXUS cheaped out.
They are masters of perceived quality.
The feel / touch of the switchgear...etc.
Thanks for the responses...I was sorta hoping I was the only one.
Maybe someone enterprising can take off the door cards and see what we can do about it...
It would be interesting to remove the door panel of a 2015 and a 2018 side-by-side for comparison. Curious if it is a metallurgical change or a sound dampening/insulation change (or both). And perhaps a dB measurement at highway speeds w/ mic next to the door panel of both, same highway, same speeds. Because the door may actually be improved, stronger, and more insulated - but not provide the closing-door feedback we're accustomed to. Or it could very well be downgraded, weaker, and/or less insulated. A lot of variables and tough to measure with just our perception. Metallurgical changes (improvements or downgrades) can be completely invisible as well.
I do have a hard time finding Lexus downgrading insulation - that would be a mistake as most luxury vehicles are moving further along cockpit noise reduction (insulated windscreens, thicker door glass, noice reduction wheels, dampening materials, etc.). I personally feel that the tin-sounding door when closing doesn't necessarily translate to inferior materials...it could very well just be a change in things like the latch mechanism design, weatherstripping thickness, or something else that is providing a feedback we would prefer to sound differently.
Hello there! Could it be that many 2016’s + are manufactured in Canada? 🥺.
I completely LOVE my 2010 and if and when I change so far I have said it must be another RX. I am actually looking around and testing options, reason why I’m reading these threads. During mu research I discovered through the VINs that the 2010 is made in Japan while the newer are in Canada. Sadly seems that I may want to hold on to my current “tank” because of its sturdyness. Any feedback on this welcomed before I make the upgrade to a 2018+ RX. Thanks!
I completely LOVE my 2010 and if and when I change so far I have said it must be another RX. I am actually looking around and testing options, reason why I’m reading these threads. During mu research I discovered through the VINs that the 2010 is made in Japan while the newer are in Canada. Sadly seems that I may want to hold on to my current “tank” because of its sturdyness. Any feedback on this welcomed before I make the upgrade to a 2018+ RX. Thanks!
My only feedback is that you're in the LX/Land Cruiser forum, and you probably should be in the RX forum.
I think it s engineering evolution. You don't need the heavy door to feel save. But if you really want that feel, you can always get a G wagon (MB). That door close feels like my 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88 back in the days. Smart engineering is what we going after.
Regarding soft close doors, I can't believe how many people slam my 7 series door because it feels heavy. And the damn thing has soft close feature. Same with the 3rd Gen LX. Just because it's an SUV, they feel like they have to slam the door to get a nice close. Geez.
10-20-18, 12:34 PM
2015 v 2018 Doors / latches sound tinny / hollow
