It was the previous administration's ruling to have average mpg to 50 by 2025. Absurd gov't . regulations. Fortunately Trump eased off on this. This is also why my 2018 RX has S Flow a/c that only turns on passenger and rear seat cooling when it senses a passenger in those seats. Still no excuse to have a bad transmission. My wife drives a 2018 Benz E class with a 9 speed and you don't feel the transmission shifting at all. Up or down. Unless problem is corrected I will not be getting another Lexus. I have had one since 2002. Gs, ES. and RX.

 

I know I guy who always complain on stiffness of new shoes. He say when I buy a new one they are so different (stiffer) than old one.
Stop comparing. Lexus RX350 is just as it is, and is the best car that rolls along this planet. If noise is 60 dB then it is what should be.. and do not compare it to noise of Harley D. or whatever else ... The best one can do is to learn how to adjust himself to his RX
You will always find different things around

 

I have a six speed in my Azera which is the smoothest I've ever driven - you barely feel the shifts.

 

The problem with the rx350 transmission is that it tries to be too many things to too many people. Lexus wants it to be economical, normal and sporty while doing none of it well. I just want it to be invisible.

 

Quite Simply... I pretty much just needs some software tweaking. The ZF 9 speed that started in the Jeep Cherokee and then went to the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX finally is doing what it should have been on day one, but you're looking about almost 10 years of them tweaking software.

Don't get me wrong. I love the highway cruising and daily driving of the RX. I would just be nice to have the electronically damped suspension on the RX Base and Premium, not just the F Sport. Lexus of Australia offers it that way. I asked Lexus of America why they couldn't do the same thing - sort of like a Gran Tourer... They didn't even know that Australia had that configuration. Also look at the Canadian RX's they put heated rear seats on almost all of their RX from the get go. Hell we have -40 winter weather in the Midwest too. Would be nice if they didn't make it some bizarre configuration to get it. They also get engine block heaters... Just sayin'...

 

I hear you loud and clear. Rear seat warmers should be standard or at least an option on every model. Im looking at a new ES now - not available. My goodness, my 2014 Azera came with those standard - Hyundai🤔

 

did you guys come to a resolution for this issue? I have a similar issue on my families 17' Rx I'm not sure if its shifting rough into 4th or 5th one or the other for sure.

 

Has anyone else been having issue with the car shifting rough when braking from above about 40 mph. I feel like its either 4th or 5th gear that is causing the issue. Just took the car in today for the second time waiting on what the dealership can figure out. I was thinking it was the module that detects how the driver drives the vehicle and regulates around the however it could be something else. If anyone has any ideas of what or why this is occurring it'd be appreciated.

 

I've felt it once in awhile on my wife's 17 RX but I suspect it's just the way the trans behaves under certain conditions. It doesn't happen often.

 

After the 4th Generation arrived, Lexus had a Service Bulletin (TSB) for the 8 speed transmission to reprogram it for better shifting, it helped somewhat.

 

I have a 17 RX and my problem is that when I accelerate to pass the thing will push your head into the headrest. Service people just said yes we know. If they know why don't they pass it on to the Lexus people?

 

I recently got the TSB done and it has not helped. I'm still experiencing the harsh downshift from 35mph down. It's worse when I have to make a more abrupt stop from 60mph down to 30mph.

 

Hi Everyone, Looking to buy a 2021 RX350 and saw a review where the number one complaint the 4th gen is the 8 speed transmission is slow to downshift when at speed and you punch it to pass someone. Is that still a issue or has it been fixed? Is it different behavior perhaps between models such as base, F-Sport and AWD?

 

Not sure were you saw that, but I have no issues with mine.

 

This happens ONLY when in Eco mode, which, to my knowledge, hardly anyone uses it.