gffounder

It would be very helpful to hear grass-roots owner opinions of the 2012 RX's.

We're most likely upgrading from our tried & true ES350 to an RX??? 2012 in February.

Thanks for your time and input!

InRBigness

Well as you are at a Lexus site you are likely to hear mostly good things but dont let that hamper your desicion. I did a ton of research on different vehicles for almost a year including lurking here at some BMW and Audi and Benz sites before I made my decision.

Overall all I can say is that for the first 2500K this car has been more than what I expected. I would recomend it highly to anyone who is in the market. I have the 450h with all the bells and wistles and do not regret it for a minute. I love the Hybrid and am so stoked about it my sister is going to get a Prius V after having 2 Jetta TDI's after driving my Lexus.

RXSF

if you love your ES, you are going to feel familiar in the RX.

marcarl

We have a 2010 RX 350 and I got a 2012 RX 450h in October. I have over 7500 miles on the 450 and love it. I get about 26.5 mpg without trying. I towed a trailer from Erie PA to Fort Myers FL a few weeks ago and got around 19 on regular gas. Not bad for a 2 ton car and a tag-along UHaul.
The proof is in the pudding when someone drives GM Cadillacs for thirty years and am now we are 100% RX.

em500is

We have a 2010 ES 350 and still love it. We added a 2012 RX 350 on New Years' Eve and love it also. I really enjoy the sense of safety I get in the RX, like the higher-up view, the mouse-like controller, and the auto back hatch is something I'm going to really like. The RX does have a faint rattle in the driver's door that I'm confident service can take care of. At this point the ES is tighter/quieter but we don't regret buying the RX at all.

Enjoy your decision-making process.

MX5NES350

I came from a 2007 ES350 into my 2012 RX in November. Like has been said, you'll feel right at home in the RX. The interior is roomier (my wife and I no longer bump elbows), IMO it also has better quality bits and pieces. My ES was a workhorse and I am more than satisfied so far with the RX. Also, my ES wasn't nearly as hooked up as my RX. All I had on the ES was the cold weather package. My RX has all kinds of neat gizmos that can keep me entertained.

The ride is a bit more firm than the ES but is not uncomfortable. I also find the behavior of the RX to be more predictable when you need to be responsive to any avoidance issues which may arise on your commutes.

The one thing the ES did have over the RX is fuel economy. My ES computer would give me 30-32 highway and the RX cracks at best 23 so far. But the benefits of the RX outweigh the few extra dollars for gas.

Good luck with your decision!

07LexusGuy

I also came from an ES350 to a 2012 RX350 - I bought mine a little over a month ago..

Coming from an ES, here's what you can expect to see (based on my own observations)
- the ride on the RX is NOT as soft and quiet as the ES
- expect your great gas mileage to decrease with the RX compared to ES
- RX have BETTER handling
- RX handles very well in snow; our ES got stuck yesterday
- the Mark Levinson system in the RX is BETTER than the one in ES
- the semi-aniline leather on the RX is not as good as the ES (just doesn't feel as soft)

Going from getting 29mpg average in the ES to a 22mpg in the RX was the biggest negative I saw but that can be expected when changing to an SUV. Overall, both cars have their pros and cons; the RX does great in poor weather and the ES is a good daily commuter. If you get the Luxury package with the RX, you'll receive some additional safety features that the ES doesn't have - certainly worth a look.

kartah

Similarly we also owned a Lexus before finally making the decision on the 2012 RX350. We had the 2003 IS300 for about 9 years before admitting that the Northeast weather has gotten us beat with the IS. It's a great car and I miss it.

When we started our search for the next vehicle with luxury and AWD capability in mind, we narrowed down to a few choices (Audi Q5, Acura MDX and the RX350). We test drove all three cars and shopped around with different dealerships. The first time I got behind the wheels in RX350, nostalgia set in and everything just felt right. It reminded me of the first time I fell in love with the IS300 and why I fell in love with in. The moment you sit in the cockpit, you just know that you're home. Everything just makes sense and where they should be. Nothing more, nothing less, just zen. As we pull off the lot I noticed something about the RX350. Even though it's a super quiet car, the moment you step on the gas you will still hear the beautiful engine note. Not too loud, not too subtle but just enough as if your engine is saying Hi back to you and all in perfect harmony. About two months ago, we drove home in our 2012 RX350 with Comfort, Premium, Nav and few other options.

Write down all the options you want in your car and price them out. Then I think the next thing to do is test drive all the models you have narrowed down to. See how you feel. I'm assuming you'll be owning it for as long as you have with your ES. Good luck!

Cruiter

I like your quote, it makes a lot of sense in very few words .

DunWkg

Amen, very well stated.

Alpy64

RX 450h after RX 400h and 2 Volvo xc90 for SUV's.
I bought the RX last April and I am always very satisfied with it. Low comsumption (around 30 mpg US) complete silent and amazing Mark Levinson premium surround system with 15 spk. Very comfortable, spacious and high level of technology. This car is not a show off like German SUV much more expensive with the same level of equipment. I love this car and my children too. Do not hesitate you will be happy with.
Alpy from France😉

GRPFAN

I went from a 2000 Rx 300 w/90,000 miles.
Traded for our 2012 RX 350, and I think "I died and went to heaven."

I really believe you get what you pay for.

My problem now is keeping the Wisconsin salt off it.

Some weeks it gets more baths then me.........................

mklemovitc

Great line. Thanks for the laugh.

Shane7003

We just purchased traded our 2007RX for a new Nebula Gray 2012 and couldn't be happier. The 2012 rides better, has more room and feels put together better than the 2007. I was able to test drive the ES as a loaner vehicle and it drives too much like Grandma's car for me. Of course, my second vehicle is a 2007 GS350. Good luck with whatever your decision is, but the new RX is incredible.

Shane

gffounder

Well Alpy64, since you're in France you probably see many Mercedes on the road .. do you have any friends driving those??

I am also reviewing the Mercedes ML350 4MATIC as an alternative .. looks like superior technology inside and out for nearly the same money.

Thanks for all your valuable feedback!