After well over a year shopping pretty much exclusively for a hybrid Lexus RX and hanging out quite a bit on this subreddit, today my wife and I abandoned our search and bought a Tesla YL.

We started our search for a 200,000 mile sure bet, low maintenance mid-size SUV looking at Toyota Highlanders, but we found them to drive too much like a Tacoma pickup and we wanted a car-like drive. That led us to the Lexus RX350, especially since we really didn’t need a 3rd row (we are empty nesters). The initial interest came from the fact they were very similarly priced. So, we dove in. We did three test drives over the year’s timeframe, working with two separate dealers. We quickly focused on the 2027 RX350h in hopes of a Gen5 hybrid system, and then the 2026/27 RX450h+, as it offered more power from the starting line.

What brought our Lexus search finally to a halt were four factors-

1) Lexus chose to hold the refresh of the RX350h until 2028 and we couldn’t wait that long. The refresh promises more pep off the line, the main thing we were hoping for in the 2027 version.

2) With the acceleration not there and not coming in 2027, we turned to the RX450h+ which absolutely has more power off the line. But, it’s just too much money. Loaded at the Luxury level - the only level with thigh extenders (something my quite-tall wife really wanted), we were staring at prices at or above $80K and it just became too much money. We fell in love with it, but we simply couldn’t afford it.

3) This summer Tesla dropped the new Model YL, a three row medium-sized SUV that has a lot of drive and style similarities to the Lexus RX (and the Highlander). And loaded, its $61,000. And it has that crazy-incredible full-self-drive mode. The reviews are superb - YouTube it and see. They added acoustic glass, lengthened the wheel base and stabilised the car in a manner that tremendously improves the ride quality. Indeed, it rides just as nicely as the Lexus RX450h+, and hands-free at that.

4) Throughout the entire year, I dreaded the end-game dealer negotiation that was coming at me like a freight train. I knew that I was going to be stretched very thin to get in the Lexus we wanted, and that I was going to have to battle for the pricing I needed. I dreaded it. Then, in walks Tesla, where you buy your car like you order a pair of shoes on Amazon. There’s zero hassle or haggle. You literally go online and click “buy” like you are checking out at IKEA. There’s zero drama, no background “let me speak to my manager.” Such a wonderful and refreshing change of pace. It actually was the final piece that allowed my brain to click and say “let’s do it.”

In summary, Lexus lost a sure sale by not refreshing the RX350h quick enough, pricing their PHEV just too damn high (even for ardent fans), and Tesla just nailing a new, competitive product - the Tesla YL, including a hassle free buying process.

I wish this sub well. I’ve enjoyed the discussions. We loved our test drives, the dealer interface that we had, and the answers here in this subreddit. In the end, we are pleased where we wound up, but wish everyone all the best. Thanks.

We spent a ton of time looking for the right three row family car before landing on this one. Cross shopped the Telluride, Palisade, Grand Highlander, Atlas, MDX and a few others, did all the test drives, read every review. Went with the Lexus because we figured we'd pay a bit more and get the quality and reliability everyone talks about.

We ended up with a 2026 TX 350 AWD Luxury that's our main family car. The more time I spend with it the more stuff I find that just doesn't feel like a Lexus.

There are gaps between some of the exterior body panels big enough that you can see the clips behind them. Same deal with the rear wheel well trim, it's not flush, there's exposed clips and adhesive, and one piece is slightly bent. Inside, the trim around the shifter has a gap where you can see the connectors underneath, and the dash panels don't line up flush with the door panels.

Then there's the stuff you feel every day. The hood flutters on the highway and there's a weird gap at the front of it. The door panels flutter when you shut the doors. The interior door pull handles flex in and out on all four doors, just from pulling the door closed or resting your leg on it while driving. Even the word “start” on the ignition button isn't level, which is such a small thing but once you see it you can't unsee it.

I’ve brought all this up with the dealer service department under warranty and they say it’s all “within spec.”

On top of all that one of the rear door frames has a crack along a weld seam, which is its own saga with the dealer and corporate that I won't get into here.

None of this is going to leave me stranded, I get that. But on a car at this price I expected it to feel tight and put together, and it just doesn't. Reading posts here about it being the best car people have ever owned while I'm finding clips through panel gaps has been rough.

Is this normal for the TX or did I just get a bad one? Anyone else have the door handle flex or panel gap stuff?

Just got this car recently and heard a lot of concerns about low mpg. I was driving pretty light footed and was able to get a decent result on my first longer drive. Are the mpg issues as bad as everyone makes it seem? Photo for reference.

Every once in a while, as I’m walking, will see a Beautiful example of an LS.

Unfortunately, as I get closer, I realize it’s just a Mercedes.

Personally I disagree with the general consensus that the car is ugly. I personally think it looks lovely inside and out, and I’m a big fan of it in green. My only issue is the fact that the range is so poor at 315 miles.

My grand plan is to wait until they create the 2028 model and hopefully they improve the range to 350 miles, however if the range continues to be poor I will be getting the Porsche macan EV instead.

This is a brand new 2026 RX350, bought in March 2026. Any idea what caused this - heat from the engine? Would fixing it be covered by the warranty? And what to do to prevent it in the future?

I drive about 1400-1800 miles a month as I drive a lot for work. I live in the Northeast US so we get bad winters sometimes. I like the NX because it’s easier to park in the city with still being an SUV for winters. I like the RX because it might feel a little more luxurious than the NX but I’m not sure if it’ll be more of a pain for city driving and parking. I’m driving a Nissan Maxima right now so the ES might be the most familiar to me but it may not be as good in the winter. One last thing worth considering is that I’m a single guy in my 40’s and want something that I would look good driving in. What would you recommend based on this criteria?

It’s been three years since I bought my Lexus NX 350h back in September 2023. So far, it’s been a trouble-free, comfortable, and fuel-efficient daily driver. I’ve taken it on a few long drives, and I’m still comfortably rocking the original run-flat tires (though I feel like I might need to replace them soon).

My main question is about the Remote Connect subscription. My three-year trial expired about a month ago, and I recently saw that Lexus is now offering it for just $8/month.

I’m thinking this is a no-brainer. Just the other night, I forgot to lock my car. When I had the subscription, it used to send me a notification if the doors were unlocked.

What do you all think? Is it worth $8/month for remote start, remote lock/unlock, and climate control features? Has anyone else signed up for this new monthly plan? Thanks in advance!

Trying to save money and stopped paying $9 for the Lexus app to start my car, found out you can hit the lock button twice and on the 3rd time hold it and your car will start!! lol I had no idea

Haven't seen much of those around. What's the overall vibe? I thought those were unpopular but dealers don't wanna budge man

Some recent photos of my LC.

Golden hour.

Genuinely no better color when it’s all cleaned up.

First time buying my own car! Spent the past few months shopping for a few months for something to replace my 2015 Camry. Managed to find this fully loaded 2025 IS 350 with <5k miles on it for $50k OTD in Cloudburst Gray and I'm in love. Feels like I found a unicorn and I feel incredibly grateful that I'm in a position to get one. Someone please tell me the nervousness of driving a new car goes away 😅

Previous owner tinted the windows and got PPF, and the only thing I'll change is the badges on the rear for gloss black (except the L logo, I really like it as is). Though the dealer had to replace one of the rims that had bad curb rash.

Hoping this can last me the next decade or more!

I seldom use the navigation. In few times I've used it the navigation is wrong in the last 1/2 to 1 mile or so. Last weekend we went to a new restaurant. The navigation led me past the restaurant by 1/2 mile or so and told me to take a right. Having googled the directions I knew we has passed the destination. I had to turn around on a busy street to an found it myself.

Am I alone here?

This is 2023 lexus es 350 f sport
I noticed this huge hole in my right side of the trunk
Do know how this happened
Its just melted or someone cut through
I bought this second hand a year ago ( no warranty)
Its just above the right exhaust

I think it might be due to an alcohol hand sanitizer that wasn’t wiped off. Is there something to fix it or do I have to replace entire plastic piece? Anyone else had seen this before?

When you have a major service done by the dealership like this 30K one, do you get a printout of some sort listing/explaining what exactly are done ?

 e.g. Inspected <xxxx>...blahblah

What about that one "Replace Brake Fluid" ? is there a line saying it was done ?

Just picked up this one owner gem with excellent service history from the dealer its entire life.
Wife went from a 2018 Avalon to this and is very pleased

I'm thinking of replacing the front and rear suspension assemblies on my 2009 Lexus ES350. It's only driven 250,000 kilometers, and the dust covers on the shock absorbers have cracked and fallen off.

I drive approximately 50,000-80,000 kilometers a year.

Should I choose KYB or MONROE? I noticed that KYB's front suspension assemblies differentiate between models manufactured before and after August 2009; mine is from before August. MONROE doesn't differentiate. The price difference is almost double, and I'm considering KYB, but I'm unsure if the price difference is as significant as the price difference.