Differences between RX350 vs. RX330
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Differences between RX350 vs. RX330
Has anyone figured out all the new changes made to the RX350 versus the RX330. I read somewhere that their are 27 new changes that have been made to the RX350. Has anyone figured all of them out yet?
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,868
Likes: 394
From: Ohio
That's pretty much it. I picked up a 350 brochure and compared it to my 04 330 brochure, and all the accessories and options and standard equipment are the same. Even the colors are the same.
For all practical purposes, you get a slightly larger engine, although I have heard that there is a greater difference in performance between a 300 and a 330 than betweeen a 330 and a 350 -- but I have not driven a 350.
It sure looks the same.
For all practical purposes, you get a slightly larger engine, although I have heard that there is a greater difference in performance between a 300 and a 330 than betweeen a 330 and a 350 -- but I have not driven a 350.
It sure looks the same.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 818
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
Other Changes
Sure hope they got rid of the dash noises(rattles).
If I don't read that they are back we just may go back to a RX 350 this fall. If they are still there its over to the Caddy Dealer.
If I don't read that they are back we just may go back to a RX 350 this fall. If they are still there its over to the Caddy Dealer.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: MD
Originally Posted by xfirechief
Sure hope they got rid of the dash noises(rattles).
If I don't read that they are back we just may go back to a RX 350 this fall. If they are still there its over to the Caddy Dealer.
If I don't read that they are back we just may go back to a RX 350 this fall. If they are still there its over to the Caddy Dealer.
Well then you will have more rattles than your dash. LOL
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,474
Likes: 2
From: Tennessee
Originally Posted by LEXIRX330
Well then you will have more rattles than your dash. LOL
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
From: Texas
One reason for the less impressive performance improvement with 50 new HP is the change in the final drive ratio on the RX350 (lower)
RX 330 3.48
RX 350 3.29
This improves gas mileage, but decreases performance.
RX 330 3.48
RX 350 3.29
This improves gas mileage, but decreases performance.
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Originally Posted by drfishalot
it has plenty of performance for me-its an SUV after all. can't have to much gas mileage (22-24 combined after 5 tanks)
S in SUV means Sport. To me, Sport should mean performance.Aloha
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 265
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From: Arizona
The RX350 also has soundproofing improvements. The wind noise in my RX350 seems lower than I remember in the RX330s I've driven. However, I wouldn't say that the wind and road noise are at "luxury sedan" levels, as some have said.
I noticed a few differences:
-Added a lower grill on the front bumper of the RX350. (Kinda a duh, since it's pretty obvious)
-Added a lower foot A/C vent in the rear seats.
Anyone know why sometimes when the windows are open at higher speeds, ie. highway speeds, the wind makes a high thumping noise. Occured in 2 RX330s I've been in, also happened in a X3.
-Added a lower grill on the front bumper of the RX350. (Kinda a duh, since it's pretty obvious)
-Added a lower foot A/C vent in the rear seats.
Anyone know why sometimes when the windows are open at higher speeds, ie. highway speeds, the wind makes a high thumping noise. Occured in 2 RX330s I've been in, also happened in a X3.
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,868
Likes: 394
From: Ohio
Dark asks: "Anyone know why sometimes when the windows are open at higher speeds, ie. highway speeds, the wind makes a high thumping noise."
I'm not sure why, because I'm no engineer, but many cars do this under various conditions, the most common being when the sun roof is open and all the windows are closed. Sometimes just opening a single window makes it happen until you open another window. My guess is that you have 20 pounds of air rushing around inside a 10 pound box.
In my RX (like in my old Audi 5000) just opening the sun roof creates some mighty thumping. Crack a back window an inch or so and everything calms down.
It has something to do with the laws of physics, but I never studied AE so I don't know exactly what's going on.
I'm not sure why, because I'm no engineer, but many cars do this under various conditions, the most common being when the sun roof is open and all the windows are closed. Sometimes just opening a single window makes it happen until you open another window. My guess is that you have 20 pounds of air rushing around inside a 10 pound box.
In my RX (like in my old Audi 5000) just opening the sun roof creates some mighty thumping. Crack a back window an inch or so and everything calms down.
It has something to do with the laws of physics, but I never studied AE so I don't know exactly what's going on.