I have rx350 fsport 2017 and es350 2007.
Both have manual mode. In es350 on brake I can switch into manual mode and upshift into 2-6
In rx 350 on break I tried upshift. But it is show 1.
Is it expected behavior? I did not tried on the road yet...

 

The manual mode in your ES is different than the manual mode in your RX F-sport. The manual mode in your ES acts like a limiter; so it will start in first and the number next to the S tells you the highest gear it will go. The manual mode in your RX F-sport acts like a normal manual mode in automatic; so you will be in the gear that indicated next to the M, but you will need to start in first.

 

[QUOTE=dchar;9708707]The manual mode in your ES is different than the manual mode in your RX F-sport. The manual mode in your ES acts like a limiter; so it will start in first and the number next to the S tells you the highest gear it will go. The manual mode in your RX F-sport acts like a normal manual mode in automatic; so you will be in the gear that indicated next to the M, but you will need to start in first.[/QUOTE

I tried manual mode in rx. I drove around 25 miles per hour , switch into manual and it is shows 7.
I do not think it is correct, then I switched into 6,5,4 nothIng changed in driving,or hard to tell.Most confusing that on speed 25 it is shows 7 gear, I expected 3 or 4

 

My friend has rx 350 2016 , not f sport
he also tried manual and behavior is different then on my f sport.

His manual mode show maximum gear, not current gear.
is it by design?
Is it possible to switch into real manual mode like on Lexus RX 350 2017 fsport?

 

Your friend's regular RX350 is acting like how I described a few posts up. That is by design. There isn't a way to switch...unless trade it in for an F-sport.