Today I dropped off my GS350 at the dealership for the valve springs recall. They will keep it 'till Friday, so they gave me a loaner, 2010 RX350 w/9K miles on it.

I am very familiar with the Gen2 RX, because my wife has an '08 RX350, so I had a chance to compare the two.

First of all, I don't like the Gen3 exterior style, IMO the Gen2 looks so much better. The power, acceleration, handling, etc. of the Gen3 feels the same.

The interior is very different, feels much tighter. The door map pockets pinch fingers when you close them. The solid console between the front seats feels big and it has odd storage space underneath the Nav control, which is useless, because you can't reach into it while you are seated. I loved the new Nav screen graphics and the little joystick deal that runs it.

Overall I like the Gen2 much much better. I maybe somewhat biased, because we own one. However, I hardly ever drive it, because I drive my GS. I suppose this fact makes me slightly more objective.

The bottom line is this: I would not trade the Gen2 for the Gen3. Will see what the next one, the Gen4 will be like.

 

I agree, I also had a loaner for two days and put 300 miles on it. Much heavier power steering, and the same issues, liked the dash less, the center console, and I would not trade our 2007 for the 2010 loaner. I did like that they finally put the outside temp where you can see it without touching the climate button. Overall the 07-09 dash for me does the trick. Dealership said that most do not like the center console, but prefered the previous sliding console.

 

kind of explained why there are so many Gen 2 on the road vs Gen 3

 

I am actually a fan of the new exterior redesign, but agree with the interior layout preference of our 07.