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Lexus RX/ES: Exhaust Modifications

Lexus vehicles are built with luxury in mind. However, with the right exhaust setup, you can awaken some new life from under the hood.

By Piyush Kayastha - December 15, 2014

This article applies to the Lexus RX and ES (2007-2014).

Since neither the ES nor the RX were meant to be sports cars, Lexus fitted them with a slightly restricted exhaust in order to keep down the noise. Increasing the volume or flow of exhaust from the engine will yield a gain in horsepower with an added bonus of great sound. Since both the RX and ES have transversely mounted V6s, the number of exhaust modifications from the aftermarket is limited. Common upgrades like exhaust headers aren't available due to packaging constraints. That said, there are still a few ways for the RX or ES owner to get a little more "umph" from their exhaust.

Modifying the Lexus RX and ES's exhaust systems can provide gains in the horsepower as well as torque. Car manufacturers tend to restrict these components to reduce noise. That's great for most Lexus owners, but this approach leaves some power on the table. The right combination of parts can provide great results. However, for Lexus owners not willing to completely upgrade their exhaust, there are "lighter" upgrades possible that will still yield some increase in power as well as an improved exhaust note.

Exhaust Systems (Axle-back and Cat-back)

Figure 1. Lexus RX with aftermarket exhaust.

DIY Cost – $690-750 for axle-back, ~$1,200 for cat-back
Professional Cost – 6-8 hours labor minus parts
Skill Level – Moderately advanced. Requires removal of old exhaust components and catalytic converters as well as related sensors.

There are two types of exhaust systems available for the RX and the ES. Axle-back exhausts—also known as "resonator-back"—are an aftermarket system that replaces the existing exhaust system from the resonator to the exhaust tips. Since only a smaller portion of the rear exhaust is exchanged for larger piping, the axle-back exhaust will not yield as much power as an exhaust that changes piping from the catalytic converter back. The axle-back is less aggressive and provides less grunt. Cat-back systems are commonly paired with PPE headers. Both systems have proven gains on several platforms of Lexus models.

Because the aftermarket options for the ES and the RX are limited, the best approach is to have a shop build a custom exhaust system from the headers back. Typically the cost for the muffler, exhaust piping, and installation is between $600 and $1,200. Aftermarket exhaust manufacturer Wald offers a cat-back system for the Lexus RX 350 that costs $3,200. German tuning house TRC Tuning has a kit for the RX450h as well. The Lexus ES has even fewer options. However, since the body is the same as the Camry V6 of the same generation, the aftermarket exhaust kits from Borla should fit the ES, too.

Related Sites:

Exhaust Tips

Figure 2. Lexus RX with aftermarket exhaust tips.

DIY Cost – ~$50
Professional Cost – 1-2 hours labor minus parts
Skill Level – Easy/Moderate. This job requires welding the tips onto the existing tail pipe(s), but they can also be clamped.

If upgrading the exhaust is too much of a hassle, there's always the option of aesthetic upgrades. Exhaust tips are a great way to add some flair to your ride without compromising the integrity of the stock exhaust system. This way you can still achieve the "look" of a sports vehicle.

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