I had my 2015 Lexus RX350 for nine years. I replaced it in January with the new generation. I find myself lost in this new vehicle. It's so big and bulky unlike my previous zippy experience. This morning I had to drive through some cones set out on the road for a detour and I just can't manage to feel comfortable. I am seriously considering a trade-in on another smaller, SUV. Anyone else experiencing these frustrations? Also, any recommendations for a replacement?

 

Have you considered the NX350? Basically a compact RX350.

 

My sentiments exactly I have an RX My wife has an NX. NX is way too small for me.

 

I've had a 2015 RX 450h, 2017 RX 450h and currently a 2024 350h. The 24 is world's better inside and outside than the other two. I could never go back and drive one of those. I loved my 17 but this one is so much better. It drives quieter and smoother plus 10 miles more per gallon much nicer interior design and exterior. I enjoyed my 2017 so much I almost passed on the 2024. I'm so glad I didn't.

 

No offense, but something is amiss. I've owned the older generation and a brand new 2024. The new model is only slightly larger, but actually has a tighter turn radius than the older generation. When I say slightly larger, it's maybe 3 inches longer and two inches wider. The difference is hardly something that I would say you could get lost in.

For what it's worth, when I took delivery of my 2024 it had all the safety features enabled. I did not like the lane departure warning system or the driver alert system at all. The lane departure system did all sorts of funky thinks when approaching a construction zone, including jamming on the brakes when it thought I was getting to close to a traffic cone. After disabling those features, it drives like a normal car that I have complete control over now.

 

2024 compared to 2015 5 inches longer 2 inches wider same height

 

Maybe it's me and my aging self but it feels like a boat. I can't judge the turning radius or the depth of parking spots. I never had an issue with my 2015 RX 350 or any other cars I've driven that I can recall. I've adjusted the seat height and I'm just really struggling to feel in control and thus, safe in the vehicle.

 

My wife also had a previous generation RX and will be driving a 2025 when available. Aren't they virtually the same size?

• 2015 Lexus RX 350: Length: 191.7 inches, Width: 75.6 inches, Height: 67.1 inches
• 2024 Lexus RX 350: Length: 192.5 inches, Width: 75.6 inches, Height: 67.3 inches

 

prior gen is 2016 - 2022. Dimensions probably similar. We had a 2017 prior to the 24.

 

My Lexus 2024 ES350 Luxury has the intuitive parking assist, panoramic view monitor and 12.3" touchscreen display. I have it set to show the panoramic view and vehicle outline whenever I am going slow, forward or reverse, coming to a stop, going around a corner or parking. It makes it easy to see a nearby curbing, pylon, signpost or painted lines while moving slow, whether for parking or just going through a tight place. It is one of the most valuable features of the car. If that 2024 RX does not have that capability, then you should trade up. If it can do as I described, learn how to turn the feature on and enjoy using it.

 

The pano view is an option on the 24 RX

 

Yes, I think you'll see that many vehicles have suffered size, feature and price "creep" over successive versions. That's why companies like Toyota (and almost all others) have to add new models with less size/price over the years as models grow out of their original market. Thus, the Lexus RX begets the NX, the Highlander begets the RAV4, etc. My wife has had 3 RXs over the years; a 99 AWD RX300, an 05 FWD RX330 and now a 23 AWD RX350 (Gas). She skipped the intervening RX models for a 13 Cadillac SRX, wanting something different (the Caddy was actually a very nice, reliable vehicle). I put these comparisons together:

1999 RX300 (AWD)
Length - 180.1”
Width - 71.5”
Height - 65.7”
Wheelbase - 103.1”
Weight - 3,900 lb.

2005 RX330 (FWD)
Length - 186.2”
Width - 72.6”
Height - 66.1”
Wheelbase - 106.9”
Weight - 3,860 lb.

2023 RX350 (AWD)
Length - 192.5”
Width -75.6”
Height - 67.3”
Wheelbase - 112.2”
Weight - 4,310 lb.

So, the 99 RX300 that fit our 3 person family (with a 5 year old that is now a 30 year old Paleontologist....) has grown over a foot in length and 400+ lbs. over the intervening 24 years. Interesting, even for the 23 gas version, the full economy of the 23 RX is miles and miles better than the 99 RX300.

 

I would caution all considering a new vehicle to take it out for a good long comprehensive test drive. Over rough roads, highways, maneuvering through parking lots etc. to get a good feeling for how it performs. Let the salesperson know that you're planning to drive it for a good hour or so, so they aren't going to freak out on you. I bought a fully loaded 2022 NX 350h new and test drove both an NX and RX back to at the time to help decide which to buy. I was coming from a 2009 Nissan Murano with a V6 and CVT. The drives were very eye opening, so many changes have taken place over the years, electric power steering, lane keep assist technology, braking assist technology, etc. Your steering wheel and brake pedals sensations are totally different. While the NX is ever so slightly smaller in dimensions it will have all the same safety technology as the RX and pretty close driving dynamics too. Try turning off some of the 'nannies', the safety systems and see how the drive feels. These systems do keep you safe but they can be a huge annoyance as well if you're not comfortable with them. It took me months to figure out all the little nuances to the new features and how they behave, like Dynamic Radar Cruise control etc.

 

Could be. I feel as we age we tend to move towards smaller vehicles. Easy in/out access, higher outward visibility, etc. I knew some that felt the jump in size from the 2nd gen RX to 3rd gen was too much.

Part of the reason why the Outback and Forester do so well with the older population is bc they’re simply more manageable vehicles.

 

I had the same issue going from an '04 to a '14. Maybe once you get used to it, as I have a family member with a '24 and it seems the front end has sharper cutoffs making it a bit easier to see where the front end ends compared to my '14.