Smitslex

I had a 4runner last year, now im thinking of buy a RX330. My question is will it climb a steep grade paved hill? I have a big steep driveway about 100 feet long wondering if the RX will climb it just as good as the 4runner. I need it to not slow down. Wondering if i have to take traction control off for it to get up the hill. Any help would be great. I"m a previous is300 owner as far as lexus goes.


Thanks,
Justin

jpg2011

I will say my rx330 lags a little on inclines more than I care for, I also had a 4 runner which I must say climbed better all round with out the same lag in my opinion.
Best regards,
Jeff

Smitslex

Yes i noticed with my is300 when it slipped in snow it would cut the throttle response off for a minute. I can't afford that to happen on my big hill because i will slid backward if the traction control kicks in. My 4runner would not do that when i cut off the traction control. I just wondered if the lexus would have any problems climbing up my hill.

lexus114

My 05 RX is not as good in snow as my 01 was. If that helps any. It`s mostly due to an eliminated viscous coupler in my year. Relies on sensors instead.

Smitslex

What about the 04 was it affected? I just need good enough 4wd or awd to pull up about a 100 foot hill that's steep. If i slide backwards i may hit a tree so as much speed and traction as i can get it most important to me.

kitlz

Pics of the driveway will help. I've driven the '04 up and down longer hills by me. I didn't bother with snow mode which starts the RX in second gear. I'd say having the right tires will help though it may not be as good as your 4runner. I had the Bridgestone Dueler Alenzas on my 330. They were awesome in the snow.

Smitslex

Here's a pic of my hill with snow in my 4runner. Like i mentioned if the rx330 can make it up without shutting the engine off or throttle response is should be ok but the 4 runner never slipped not once lol.

lexus114

You wont have any trouble with that hill..^^^^^

Smitslex

What does the RX do when it goes up a hill and starts to lose tracking does it cut off the throttle or does it keep accelerating as you give it gas. My main concern is once traction is lost does it continue to go?

kitlz

I agree, the hill isn't too bad. This is part of one of the hills I have to take in my daily commute with trees on one side and rocks on the other. It's maybe close to 1/2 a mile in length. Certainly not the steepest I've driven but the turns make it a tad more interesting I had to sit on this hill before for 45 minutes in the 330 while it was snowing. For some reason they closed the road higher up. I had no problem making it up when it reopened. The roads were semi covered and a little icy by then.

lexus114

If it`s awd it doesn't cut the power. only the fwd will do that with the traction control activated.

Smitslex

Ok good to know what about reliability? I'm looking at an 04 onxy with 100,000 miles. It's either that or a 2010 rav4 sport v6 with 67k. The lexus rx is 12500 and rav4 16100. Wondering if the RX is still good for many more miles. Never had any problems with my IS300 best car i ever owned.

lexus114

Go with the RX, but of coarse I`m bias