PWMDMD

I don’t know. I had snow tires on the Pilot all winter and could only get a tiny bit of tire slippage on salt/sand covered roads. Somehow the AWD in the Honda is superior as far as traction from a stop AND I still get significantly better gas mileage in the Honda (22 MPG mixed vs 19 MPG mixed).

Don’t get me wrong....I love my RX for what it is - comfortable and solid - but I do think Lexus needs to work on driving dynamics to catch more of the market. The most obvious place is the AWD system and adding torque vectoring at the rear which is starting to show up in more Toyota vehicles. Next is just sterling feel in general.

Cocal

Re the AWD i agree I had a Subaru outback and there is no comparison, but again most RX will never see the terrain that a subie will.

Rollerdog

I recently purchased a 2016 RX350 AWD. I noticed a 4x4 button close to the arm rest. Do you need to push this to activate the AWD or will the vehicle automatically shift to AWD when conditions deteriorate?

mikemu30

All automatic. That button engages an AWD lock mode for situations where additional power may be needed to free the car from mud etc.

jim256

That "lock" is only available up to 25 mph then it goes back to automatic allocation. There should be a graphic in your center display showing AWD automatically engage at start off, then 2 and 4 wheel depending on acceleration and conditions.

Rollerdog

Thanks for the clarification!

2008M3

Is this AWD full time or is it only full time on the f sport mode?

my 2010 rx350 is awd but not full time, turns off past 15 mph

llcw79

As far as I know, RX is FF based thus not full time. Fsport same.

2008M3

my dealer said this

For all AWD RX350
Variable Valve Timing 8-Speed Automatic Transmission Drive Mode Select Full Time Active Torque Control All-Wheel Drive

mcomer

Said all of that, did they?

PeeVee

That's exactly it, actively adjusts the rear torque on demand depending of the road condition. When it's snowing or icy here, I see it always providing half of the front torque, and same torque for big snow storms when very slippery.

Rpickoff

Full Time AWD is different than Full Time 4 Wheel Drive.

Cocal

Yes & No, the RX350 is always AWD when under acceleration, once the selected speed is reached it reverts to FWD.
Easy enough to see by selecting the proper window in the instrument panel.

tadpole1

I dont think so. When it rains, hard acceleration from a complete stop slips tires unless you manually lock 4wd.

DMPesso

try sport mode. I noticed it used all 4 wheels MUCH more in sport mode versus regular.