Hi All,

I'm doing research for the next car and RX on the list. Last 25 years all my cars were Honda/Acura, so MDX on the short list, but we don't need 3 row SUV anymore and I don't like RDX..
1. How Lexus on the snow? MDX with SH-AWD is perfect, but Lexus apparently has different AWD system. Also, looks like that 21 inch wheel don't have much choice. For example on 19 inch I can put Michelin Crossclimate 2 but it not is available for 21. I'm living in Seattle area, we need to cross pass or to ski in the mountains.
2. Turbo engine known for excessive oil consumption. How's RX behave in this respect? Has anybody already driven enough to make judgment? Anybody has this issue or heard about?
3. I want fully loaded except panno roof ( I need cross bars) and 21 inch wheel because of the reason mentioned above. Is it realistically to get such car?

Thanks in advance

 

From what I understand the tire makers are working on a larger variety of 21” tires for the new RX, right now the choices are few.

 

Thanks.

I have asked 2 simple questions :

How RX on snow?
Does turbo engine have excessive oil consumption?

I understand that on first question might not be answers yet, as majority more likely bought car in the spring, but second question is no brainer. You need to add oil or not between oil changes

 

Turbo engines do not have any more oil consumption than non-turbo engines. While there are some extra oil seals that could eventually fail at the turbo, just having a turbo doesn't mean you'll have to add oil between changes. I've owned three different turbo 4 engines in 24 years (2 VW and 1 Mazda) and none needed oil between changes. I change every 5K.

 

Thanks. So, to be sure, you drove on your RX more than 5K miles and didn't add oil? Is 5000 recommended oil change interval?

 

Recommended is 10K or one year which ever comes first. I drive ~5K a year.

 

My 2013 RX has never needed oil added. I just change the oil once/year (I drive only about 8k miles/year)....you shouldn't have to add oil to a properly built modern car.

 

Is MDX only available with three rows?

 

MDX is 3 row only, no option to delete 3rd row

 

Had 2 MDXs, total of 10 years. Only had the 3rd row seat up about 3 times.

 

It's your opinion and is not fact. Since the V6 is numbered expect for trucks, I guess you go BEV in the future. I've put 320K miles on turbo 4s between 3 cars in the last 24 years with no engine issues other than maintenance and one ICM replacement.

 

Statistics that's all. That's your experience. My daughter's Q5 needed a new turbo with 5k miles on the clock.

 

On our sixth Lexus and never added a drop of oil to any.

 

Consider safety.

I would go with the MDX. It's a bit safer, a bit stronger safety cage vs. RX. RX shows elevated pelvis readings. RX overall is pretty safe but it fumbled things it shouldn't have at this point of time 2023.
RX also fumbled passenger side frontal with elevated injuries to legs and driver's head. My guess is the driver's head slipped off the edge of the bag contacting the dash due to the twisting motion. MDX aced it.

 

If it was actual statistics, Consumer Reports would never recommend a car with a turbo 4.