I had a chance to run my RX-350 (AWD) on some rocky/gravel/dirt/sand roads out in the desert during the past month. The performance was pretty good. (Yes, I am careful to not take on too much in the way of bad roads)

The tail pipe hangs down a bit on the right hand side, so I steered around road features that might bump the tail pipe. The AWD worked perfectly, and the rear camera was really, really nice for turning around on narrow roads.

On washboard gravel roads the RX-350 was not as smooth as my 99 RX-300, but the 350 is much better than your average pick up truck/jeep/etc.

Hopefully, I'll never have to drive the 350 off road with the stupid "funny spare".

 

Great to hear. However I'd be concerned about rock chips and such.

Now what we need are some video's like these of the 2010 RX,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAORFjO3cGI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8ocBswvwh4

 

i do some light offroading in my RX350 almost every weekend to go snorkeling.

so far other than ground clearance, it been performing superbly on soft beach sand, and in worst case lowering tire-pressure before you go into deeper soft sand makes a great difference in any vehicle.

i have taken it places where no Lexus should go including driving in some muddy salt marshes that turn your wheels into slicks within a few minutes and its didn't disappoint so far.

here is a pic at one of our spearfishing spots:



i will try to take some other pics of the RX offroad.

 

Good to hear the car performs well, but make sure to wash that salt off!

 

^^^ That's a really cool pic

 

GREAT! I'm glad I'm not the only one who goes off road. I do have some rules for mine:
1. Clean it well after "mistreating" it.
2. Try to not drag brush down the sides. (I carry a small brush clipper just in case)
3. Remember that 4WD can get you stuck in a much worse place than 2WD

 

Be especially careful with the front end. The lower control arms are not very beefy and bend easily. I know!