2001 Lexus RX 300 Consumer Reviews

Perfect SUV. Well, Almost...

Written by: BryanD on 03/08/2008

Vehicle

2001 Lexus RX 300 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I have owned this truck for almost a year now, long enough to know its good and bad points. Overall a great SUV with quite capable handling and performance. A few quirks mentioned below.

Favorite Features

Quiet, silky, ride. Very roomy in back. Like the reclining rear seats. Ample performance and handling. Instruments are clear and intuitive. Good MPG for an SUV (23 on hwy). VERY well built!

Suggested Improvements

No power adjustments for the passenger seat bottom (on a $40K car?!). Turning radius is horribly large. Cupholders do not hold cups well. No "distance to empty" reading, but an "instant MPG"? Who cares about "instant MPG"? Windows "full down" feature too sensitive and easily activated.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Not a Lexus Toyota Fan Anymore

Written by: Joe on 02/24/2008

Vehicle

2001 Lexus RX 300 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

My well-maintained 01 RX 300 just died at 115K miles with a bad transmission. Estimated cost to repair is in the many thousands. After over 10 years of owning Toyotas (an 88 Camry, a 95 ES 300 and then the 01 RX 300), I've changed from a die-hard fan to a never-again disbeliever. Couldn't believe my eyes when the RX just died the way it did. This after following the factory maintenance schedule and taking good care of it.

Favorite Features

Handling in snow. Cassette player to play my mp3s through. Smooth ride. Well-appointed interior.

Suggested Improvements

Horrible turning radius. Gas mileage tends to be about 17/19. The fact that the car is dead.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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HIghly Recommend

Written by: carol on 02/07/2008

Vehicle

2001 Lexus RX 300 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

This is a great vehicle. Rides very smoothly. Does great in winter weather. Very reliable, just normal maintenance. Only problem - would like to get the same vehicle in a newer model, but hard to justify spending the money when a 7 year old vehicle is still in great shape.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Good deal

Written by: pabuehl on 01/10/2008

Vehicle

2001 Lexus RX 300 2WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Bought this new and in 90000 had no problems at all. Very comfortable on short/long trips and milage 18 town/25 road. Everything works just like the first day and I really look for problems so I can fix them before they become big and just do scheduled maintenance/no surprises.

Favorite Features

Size of the vehicle/outside looks and interior comfort/leather seats.

Suggested Improvements

Turning radius is wide and it was fixed with new models but you get used to it.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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A Reliable SUV That Could Have Been

Written by: UKFan4Sure! on 05/24/2007

Vehicle

2001 Lexus RX 300 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Wow! That was my first impression driving this beauty after having two Jeep Grand Cherokees before this. It is smooth and quiet with seamless acceleration that seems adequate but not stellar. Its body lines are magnificent and its interior is well appointed and very well crafted. It has 94K miles on it now and if I didn't tell you that, I could fool you into believing it had 20K. No joke. It does have some unexcusable shortcomings, though. Something you don't expect out of Toyota. I will list those below.

Favorite Features

Stereo is great! Roomy inside. I like the big mirrors and the triangular vent windows. The visibility is very good throughout the car. It rides like a car, not an SUV. Nice. I like the easy to clean wheels with common tire size. Reclining/sliding rear seats. Wife likes the tray for her purse.

Suggested Improvements

Distance to empty on computer (do I REALLY need instant gas mileage or average speed? Who cares!). Displays are different colors. Why? No liftglass on tailgate. No steering wheel radio controls. Cupholders are a joke. Only a 2-way passenger power seat. Armrest is too high. Remote entry range is short

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Favorite car I've ever owned !!!

Written by: connie sandlin on 03/12/2007

Vehicle

2001 Lexus RX 300 2WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Getting ready to let go of my Lexus 2001 RX 300 - I must say it has my favorite car that I have ever owned. It has been fun to drive, comfortable and most importantly, dependable!! Getting quite a few miles on the car so I felt it's time to move on. I have just purchased the new 2008 RX 350 to replace my previous 2001. Because I enjoyed my first Lexus SUV so much I decided to go ahead and get another!

Favorite Features

Smooth ride and comfortable seats - could get a lot into the back part of the car when you needed to by putting the seats down.

Suggested Improvements

A little better gas mileage, but right now everyone is wishing that! The comfort and dependability outweighed the mileage.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Cool RX3 00

Written by: gq008 on 02/15/2007

Vehicle

2001 Lexus RX 300 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Bought My 2001 RX 300 used in Sept 005. I test drove a new Murano, used X5, MDX, Highlander and a bunch of domestic SUVs. None of them rode as smooth and quiet as the RX. The good thing about the RX is that it only requires 87 or above octane. However, my best mileage has been 19 mpg. I average about 17 mpg. But I have a very heavy foot. I disliked the two tone of my RX. So I painted the models to match the paint on the body. The Silversport or Coach edition alleviates this problem but are very rare to find in the AWD. And I test drove the silversport and the b/c of the sport suspension the ride was not at all smooth. However, My RX will be replaced with another RX if and when I decide to get rid of this one.

Favorite Features

It only requires 87 or above octane. The leather in the RX is very soft and plush without feeling mushy. I love the shape and size of the RX - not too big, not too small.

Suggested Improvements

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Outstanding vehicle

Written by: Mike on 09/12/2006

Vehicle

2001 Lexus RX 300 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I love it. I can never go back to any of the vehicles I had before. It's a dream to drive.

Favorite Features

All-Wheel Drive. Electrochromic mirrors. Vehicle skid control. Brake Assist. Heated seats. Dynamite stereo. Great looking and functional glass with UV protection. All leather interior (in mine, anyway). Automatically adjusting seats with memory.

Suggested Improvements

Prefer the DVD cartridges weren't in the glove box, but this has already been changed with newer models.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Lexus Automobiles Forever

Written by: Bill on 06/11/2006

Vehicle

2001 Lexus RX 300 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I personally have owned over 10 new cars over the years, and I, without hesitation, say that the Lexus, especially the SUVs, are the most dependable, beautifully designed automobile throughout the industry. The ride, comfort, gas mileage, and convenience, make this car the best... nothing more... only the best of the best. I own a 2001 RX 300, bought by me brand new, and I must admit it rides just as great today as when I first drove it out of the showroom I sincerely advise those who have not experienced its ride and everything else I have mentioned, please do it and take a test drive. I believe once you do, you will be hooked on nothing else. I happen to favor its SUVs.

Favorite Features

My favorite features are: the ride, comfort, agility, the quietness of its engine and body parts, braking system, adequate pick-up speed, flip-down rear seats and quietness when riding with rear seats down. It's like "riding on air". Experience it just once, and you will eventually own one.

Suggested Improvements

I must say, I was hard-pressed to find any improvements needed except this one: It's turning radius is inadequate but this is not a "big thing" to me especially when everything else is superior. Although I own a 2001 RX 300, I do like the lines better on the RX 330. Return the red exterior.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Love this Lexus!

Written by: Karen on 01/23/2006

Vehicle

2001 Lexus RX 300 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

This is my 2nd Lexus RX300...traded the 1999 for this Certified Pre-owned-a little more expensive, but worth it! Great handling in poor weather conditions, comfortable ride, great cargo space. Newer RX 330 didn't have as much room width-wise. Rear passengers ride comfortably-even the long-legged teens. Great car for drivers' education!

Favorite Features

Comfortable, nice quality leather, decent stereo system, love the heated seats, cargo area. Easy for older passengers to enter and exit.

Suggested Improvements

Better, less rickety cup-holders-you would expect better on a vehicle this nice.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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