I just bought a 2017 Lexus RX350 with 50k miles. Noticed 2 things right off the back - one, the drone and vehicle always trying to go to the highest gear and lowest RPM, causing slower down shifts and a drone sound. Quite irritating. Turned off eco mode and drive it in sport all the time. It has helped but still not perfect. Second, the vacuum pump went out, which has now been fixed at a cost of $1,500. While my car was in the shop, I did get a 2021 RX350 to drive for 5 days. Here are some of the differences that I noticed right off the back.

1. Driving both cars at 45 mph, sport mode, my 2017 runs at 1800 RPM and 2021 ran at 2100 -2200 RPM, felt much better. Shifting was smooth and faster as compared to the 2017.
2. Even at higher speeds (65-70mph), the RPM was much higher and shifting was quicker and smoother. No Drone sound. Passing was no issue.
3. The screen has been moved up and is touch now. They have the mouse pad, which is quite useless.
4. Has Car play - apple and android.
5. This one had wireless phone charging, which was very useful
6. Some minor software changes which were good tweaks that help the driver

They engine and transmission is the same for both years, but they seemed to have tweaked the software. Hope this helps. The 2021 is better in driving, but go with the F version, has higher HHP and also adaptive suspension.

Hope this helps.

 

This is one of the issues that I found on several vehicles that drives me crazy. Acura for a long time was using a 9 speed from ZF that was horrible with lag on downshifts. One reason that I moved to Lexus. So when I test drove my RX I put it through the paces on just this issue. I have found the RX to be very good with quick downshifts on a moving acceleration situation such as on ramps and passing. I drive a horrible highway in CT where this type of acceleration is required. I am very happy with how the RX handles these situations. Obviously the best thing to do is get an RX and take it for a long test drive reproducing that situation. Mine is an AWD and Sport mode does improve transmission response. I believe all of the 350s have the same transmission....Fsport adds Sport + if I recall correctly.

 

Mechanically, perhaps. I wouldn't call a 19% increase in RPM at a given speed "the same" -- obviously the ECU programming is rather vastly different.

 

For me, I would rather have the lower rpm. Less wear and tear on the engine.

 

Same here -- that's the way I look at it too.

 

What you call smoothness is actually transmission "Overlap" More overlap makes the car smoother, but this cause a LOT more wear on the clutches than less overlap (snappier shift).
People prefer the smoothness, so engineers try to accommodate everybody, but often fail

 

Sounds like the Merritt Pkwy?

 

Just got a 2018 RX350 F-sport with 16k miles and having the same issue when downshifting. Curious if anyone found a solution?

 

Wow that is LOW mileage for a three-year old -- congratulations!

Check the vehicle history and find out whether Technical Service Bulletin L-SB-0109-17 was applied to that car -- if not, ask your dealer to do the reprogramming, as per https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ml#post9766895

 

There's also the later one which may replace the one mentioned by dibl L-SB-0032-19

 

I have a 2020 RX350 and around 10k miles it started every so often getting a bang (not a sound, but feel) when slowing down and down shifting. I also get it every so often when kicking in passing gear. I took it to the dealer and of course it wouldn't do it on a test drive. They reset the transmission and it was okay for awhile, but now it's back. I saw the thread on older models having this problem and they did a software update. My dealer said no updates for 2020. Anyone else having this problem? I'm taking it in for the 30k service soon and hope they can pinpoint the issue.
Thanks.

 

My wife's 2017 RX (60K on the clock) does this on occasion but not frequently at all. I can induce it by slowing down quickly from high speed.