I agree with Anita. The roof rack does give it a sporty look and without it the car looks kind of naked.

FWIW, I'm also of the opinion my 2013 looks better with the rails on. The few RX I see on the road without the rails make me always feel like they are missing something ...but that's just my opinion of the esthetic. My previous RX400h came with rails and cross bars. To Anita's point, it was significantly harder to do the weekly wash job (no snow in sunny SoCal -- ah ha), and to polish when that was due. When the 2013s were introduced, Lexus changed the package so the rails came with the RXh, but not the crossbars. I thought I'd be sad with their cost-cutting ways, but I have not been, as I've not had a need to tie anything to the top of my RX450h in the past 3 years, and just like the look the silver rails provide as a contrast with my Nebula Grey.

It's great it's a fairly easy thing to remove the rails if you want to, as you can always put them back on if you change your mind. Good luck with your decision.

My black 300 didn't come with roof rails or the spoiler on the tailgate. They weren't options back then. I affectionately called the RX hippo because he looked like one with the big 'butt' and stubby 'ears,' LOL! I did buy the roof rack removal kit for the 450h but I just can't do it. That's me though. Maybe yours will look sleeker without the contrasting roof rails. How about doing a little Photoshop to see how it looks? If you don't have the program, post a few pictures taken from different angles in the Photoshop forum. Someone will do it for you.

thanks for all the replies my friends. it is a difficult decision for me. heck i already wasted money over having the body moldings installed, then removed. ...

I removed the crossbars and side rails from my wife RX350 cause the wind noise was unbearable!

Did it make a big difference?

I would say yes. Especially the cross bars removal reduce the majority of wind noise. We wanted a cleaner look so i removed the side bars and that pretty much eliminated most of the wind noise. The car is so nice and quiet now.
The cross bars are easy to remove! Try it and see/hear if you could tell the different.

I don't have the crossbars, just the side bars and I get a lot of wind noise. I'll find out in couple of months if removing them helps.

I see! From my experience, the side bars generates some noise at lower speed but were very noisy at higher speed (above 75MPH) and even worse in crosswind situation.

I don't have any love for the rack or crossbars. My "every expense spared" Sportage doesn't have either and I had to go and and look as I could not remember if they came with the car or not.

Our kids are grown and we won't be taking anyone to college in the RX so I don't see the need. We do long road trips (3 weeks or so) and "if it don't fit inside the RX it ain't goin'".

The crossbars were a line item on the Sticker when we purchased the car but the dealer would not remove them and give us a credit. :-)

I don't think I'd pay to have them removed but if someone offered to pay for a professional removal I'd give them the rails and crossbars.

You described my exact problem! I'm going to call tomorrow to see how much the dealer will charge to remove them. I would think not much.

I have the RX350 without the roof rack. Personally, I like the look -- looks more sporty.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...f5f04753d6.jpg

:thumbup::thumbup:

i would do it your self. it is very easy to do.

The removal process is very straight forward. I followed this DIY thread except i used a piece of Nylon pallet strap and slid it under the cap then pulled it straight up. You will need the kit if you want to remove the side rails.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...s-rails-2.html