What are the differences in the 2011 and 2012 RX350 Models?

 

I traded an '11 for a '12, and my observations are:

1. Quieter - slightly less engine and exhaust noise.
2. Engine mapping changed to allow use of regular gasoline vs. premium.
3. As my sales guy said, the new car feels "tighter". This is probably due to changes to the electric steering calibration. To me it also felt like changes to the suspension tuning, but my tech says there are no changes there...

 

The new Nebula Grey replaces Smokey Granite and the climate control's Cold/Warm buttons are Blue/Red arrows instead of white

...and that's about it

 

I believe the "Lexus" badge on the lower left of the rear hatch was removed with the 2012 model year. Other than the newly available Nebula Grey paint color, that's the only visible exterior difference.

Interior should have the newest navigation update (if equipped with nav package) and latest electronics package mod which fixes some reported issues with iPod/iPhone scolling of playlists

 

Lexus badge was removed on the 2011 RX.

 

Are the home link buttons illuminated in 2011 and 2012?
Thank You.

 

No illumination for 10,11,12. I tried to do a mod to get them lit and it is not possible. I am not hopeful for the 13 either, but only Lexus knows.

 

Maybe they'll move 'em down into the mirror.

 

+ 1 on this.
the base 18 inch rim is different. or is it a dealer dependent issue?
other than that, unless you own an RX, you will have a hard time differentiating a 2011 from a 2012. unless the color is nebula gray.

 

Maybe my mind is tricking me but my wife '11 AWD RX always feel "tighter" in handling versus the last 4-5 front wheel drive RX loaners.

 

what's happening to your 2011? 4-5 loaners.. meaning 4-5 times back in the service bay?
Admit it, you're hooked with the free cookies.
On a serious note, if you're driving on a typical road or highway, the FWD and AWD should be the same..
driving it on a dirt road, snow, sand, uphill etc there you will feel the difference

 

Kind of a silly thing but when I had a 2011 loaner and test drove 2011's while deciding CPO vs. new I felt the pedals were a bit tighter on the 2012's. I would leave off the brak pedal on the 2011's I drove and the thing would pop up and bounce when released and the 2012 didn't do that. Maybe the 2011's just needed some TLC on the mounting bolts.

Other than that and the other items listed I don't see any difference.

 

The exact changes are as follows:

Performance
-Fuel requirement changed to Regular fuel
Exterior Colors
-Nebula Gray Pearl replaces Smoky Granite Mica
Exterior
-Alarm window sticker discontinued
Interior
-Temperature control switches changed to red/blue arrowhead design
-Multi-mode automatic transaxle malfunction warning added to multi-information display
-Revised wiper and dimmer switch graphics
Appearance Package Added
-19-inch, seven-spoke wheels with Superchrome finish and 235/55VR19 all-season tires
-Halogen headlamps with black housing

 

One of my friend has the 2011 RX350 and the one minor difference I took notice (in addition to the ones listed), is the rear hatch door. When I close the 2011 hatch manually, it would lock almost instantly when I pull it down to close it. Meaning, once I manually close the door, the lock engages and you hear the mechanisms do its thing. On my 2012 RX, I feel that there's a bit more resistance and even when I close it all the way trying to close it faster, it would still take a bit longer before the lock mechanism engages. I'm not sure if this is only on my RX or if it's the same on all 2012's. I'll have check when I see another 2012 model.

 

kartah, I haven't noticed that between a '10 and a '12 450h I had. Perhaps it's yours or your friend's that has the problem. Or the mechanism is different between those two cars or how they were assembled at the factory.