Used 2005 Lexus RX 330 SUV Consumer Reviews
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2005 Lexus RX 330
169k and still going good with everything working like it should. A few repairs done in 20 years (timing belt, water pump with new belts.) Love the little Lex.
Pure Joy!
When you drive this vehicle around town, it's just another car. But when you take it on a trip - IT'S PURE JOY! I love the nav. syst. It helps to keep me awake & alert when I'm driving through the desert to Las Vegas in extreme comfort using cruise control. On a long trip this car is a "toy". it's my entertainment, & I love it. Dual temp. control is a great feature. I inflated the tires to 37 psi & got 26 mpg without sacrificing comfort. Plenty of room for 2 sets of skiis & all our gear for a week of skiing at Las Vegas Ski Resort. No need to purchase ski rack. We needed chains for last 10 miles. No problem! We had rain in Las Vegas, Snow at Mt. Charleston, & wind on the freeway. No Problem!
- Base 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,50054 mi away
- Base 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,991138 mi away
- Base 4dr SUVMSRP: N/A68 mi away
Save money buy a regular Toyota
After driving this vehicle for over a year I can only say I should have bought a Toyota and saved some money. Numerous rattles, transmission that can't seem to find the right gear and now there is a rather unusual clunk each time the drive train engages. Couple that with a drive train howl at around 60 mph and we are less than satisfied with this vehicle.
Nice, But Not Great.Quality Has Declined
Although the RX330 has some improvements, there have been some steps backwards in my opinion. The car is much noisier than the RX300, particularly noticeable at speeds over 50. Highway noise is NOT muted as in other Lexus models, wind noise is a constant. Transmission shifting from a start is laborious and loud. The Mark Lev radio is nothing special and its volume controls are make it hard to find a volume that you can keep it on. The radio lite is too bright. The back-up camera is weak: at night the screen "whites out",and there is no useful depth perception. The adaptive headlights gyrate and flit around constantly as you go up and down hills and are of dubious benefit and value.
Lady Driver
I researched alot of SUV's before chosing the Lexus RX 330. I've had SUV's in the past, from a Hummer to an Escalade to an Expedition. Of all, this one is obviously the best gas mileage, but it also drives and handles great. I read all the reviews, and yes there is a slight blind spot, but as long as you look over shoulder, it's great. Also read about slow gear change. I tried it on test drive and could not get it to miss a beat at any speed. I drive 75 miles round trip to work and love the way it handles. Only thing I'd change is the arm rest, it's just a bit awkward to me. Most of the so-so reviews are by men, and I think this is a definite lady's vehicle. I love mine!
My Favorite Car ever!!!
I shopped til I dropped on this one. I was trading in my Chrysler Van for a more gas conservative car, and in general a smaller car. It was my first Lexus, and I am now a permanent Lexus owner forever. I am so happy with the RX 330, gas mileage is better than posted on car! City I average 20.5 MPG, highway easy 25MPG plus. The 18" wheels are a must in this car. I believe with that the car has a smoother ride. Love the nav sys, along with Bluetooth, once figured out and set up, very easy to use. Love it, Love it. BTW~I am the pickiest of pickiest buyer. This is the first car I have bought and not had to return to the dealer for anything yet... go buy one..
Forget about other Crossovers
This has been an excellent driving experience.
Fabulous
Great ride. Highy recommend it. Gas mileage is better than I expected. Very comfortable.
Blind spots
I love everything about this car, except the design of the back creates large blind spots when looking back and to the side. This is confounded by the driver's headrest further visually blocking the small windows between the back and sides of the car. This creates pretty thick spots where you can't easily see what is behind you and to the side.
style and performance
I was interested in a Buick Rendevous when I test drove the RX 330. It was so much better I never hesitated in deciding on this car even though it cost more. Fun to drive, plenty of power, real quiet and decent mileage.
RX 330
This is the most over rated vehicle in America. Soft ride with poor road feel, underpowered, overpriced. Seats too soft. Cargo space limited. Not worth high 40's with all the toys. Cost of operation not that cheap as oil change and tire rotation is $125 every 5000 miles.
Better than my 99 rx300
A pleasure to drive. Very comfortable and has a very heavy comfortable drive. Great on long trips. Easy to manuver. Love it.
Love My RX330!!! Best car I ever had!!!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CAR!!! It's fun to drive because it rides like a dream. As a first time Lexus buyer, the comfort, the handling, the ride and the quality are excellent!!! I am truly impressed. I like the attention it gets when driving around town. The interior is beautiful and the features are great. I love driving on the highway at night now due to the tinted back window and the glare blocking side view mirrors- this feature alone is PRICELESS!!! My concerns are: The transmission stalls when switching gears. Inside interior including tan rugs, get dirty easily. Using the seat warmers while wearing dark clothes, stains the leather.
Art on Wheels
I love this vehicle. It fits like a designer suit and is lots of fun to drive. Many SUV's drive like a truck. Not the Lexus RX330. It's all about comfort and luxury. When I see it from a distance I have to pinch myself to realize that I really do own this piece of art on wheels. The RX330 is one of the most beautiful vehicles on the road. I think I'm in love.
Not So Happy
I have the car since August. I have taken it back 3 times for an alignment. It pulls to the left. They have tried to fix it and they now tell me that is how it is. Because of the new tires and new style when you take your hands off the wheel it pulls to the left. I would not buy this model again. Otherwise it has nice options and look great.
Art on Wheels
I love this vehicle. It fits like a designer suit and is lots of fun to drive. Many SUV's drive like a truck. Not the Lexus RX 330. It's all about comfort and luxury. When I see it from a distance I have to pinch myself to realize that I really do own this piece of art on wheels. The RX 330 is one of the most beautiful vehicles on the road. I think I'm in love.
Forget the RX 330
This car has the slowest responding transmission I've ever owned. Downshifts 2 gears when accelerating. Not responsive. Do your web homework and careful test drive on freeway. Push the RX and you'll see, clunks through gears. Also, leather is cheap inside, and plastic feels cheap. Some models have no power door, no telescoping steering wheel, no leather. Don't buy this! 3 trips to the dealer, nothing but frustration. They say car is normal each time, want to reset ECU.
Still not sure
I purchased this vehicle 5 mos ago. I am enjoying it however I am concerned that the engine noise is louder than I am used to. I do not like the arm rest. Otherwise the ride is very comfortable. Servicing is more expensive than expected. Paint job dulls quickly. (black) Need to have it detailed and waxed too often. I came from a Cadillac and it had more electronic information capabilities.
Poor performance
We bought this brand new and kept it only 7 months. In buying it my wife did not understand her desire for a car that actually went when you pressed the gas. After trying to get constant hesitations programmed out of the controller for our car we gave up and sold this nice but totally poor performance car for a BMW X5 which blows the Lexus away.
Burt's opinion of his Lexus 330
I am delighted with the quality of my Lexus. I have driven Lincolns for the last fifteen years and feel that that the Lexus 330 quality is equal to, or better than Lincoln
My toy
After six months ownership, there is not another SUV I would trade my toy for, the performance is good.
Disappointed
Lots of rattles, the brake pedal makes a constant irritating thumping noise everytime I even tap it. Windshield wipers get frozen to the windshield and rip off and inevitably scratch the windshield before I've had a chance to replace them. A heated windshield would be appropriate. The most astounding thing that shocked me was that I had to purchase 4 expensive snow tires for this AWD SUV. The all season that came with the sale of the vehicle did not perform at all in the snow. I was literally sliding all over the road and had no choice but to spend $1000 to buy "snow blizzaks".
Not that great!
The issues with my car: the rear door wouldn't open with the remote, the roof rack wouldn't move back and forth, the leather under the head rest was torn, the wiper mist was not working. They don't charge me for fixing these issues. But my understanding is that some of these issues are not supposed to be issues because they are supposed to get inspected before they certify it. So I guess you can not really believe the Lexus certification process. Also the rear door issue seems to be a recurring issue. It still wouldn't open some times after 3 attempts to fix this.
My lexus
This has been a good car, however i am disappointed in a few things. I am very surprised a car this nice came without heated seats.The stereo cd systems has aready had to be repaired 2 times. And the locking system stinks. I can not unlock all the doors at the same time. I have been told this can not be fixed. It makes it hard since a have a child in a car seat in the back..
Great car, but .......
This is a great car, but underpowered. And don't buy it if you care about gas mileage. My biggest complaint however is with the navigation system. It does a poor job of routing often recommending roads that don't exist. Finding destinations is inconvenient. Not being able to operate it while moving makes it almost useless in many circumstances, when there is more than just one person in the car. Our other car has a Garmin that plugs into the lighter, and while not as pretty it is MUCH, MUCH better. I can look for restaurants or gas stations while driving, and we don't have to pull over. BTW, the Bluetooth doesn't always work either.
RATING OF LEXUS SUV FX 330
Before trying out my Lexus SUV, I tried all makes of SUV vehicles from all auto dealerships, and fell in love with the LEXUS SUV. I had to have it and it is pleasure to drive, quiet to drive, basically "0" road noise, some with the moon roof open, but not bad...steers wonderfully well. The radio sounds like surround sound, I especially like the CD changer...it has every bell and whistle, the only thing, every other person in Texas has one...and it doesn't really seem special with every one having one.
Happy Ride
Very good handling and stopping. Enough guts to get out of the way. Not a sports car, but that isn't the intent.
Second Lexus
This is by second RX, I previously had a 2000. The 2005 model had greatly improved acceleration performance and turning radius. I love this car!
Sexy Lexy
Great car! For the price I got many more bells and whistles with the GMC Envoy, but no where near the smooth ride. This is a MUCH BETTER BUY!!!
Heaven on 4 wheels
I've always liked the looks of the RX300, but hesitated purchasing one due to what I felt were major flaws-the dark brown wood trim package, a serious blind spot, and the total lack of a console. I checked the auto show annually hoping they'ld make the necessary corrections. My prayers were answered with the RX330. Bugs are gone, and features some grewere added such as a touch-button hydraulic lift gate, plus many more, making it the perfect choice. No other SUV matches the superior looks, inside and out
First SUV
I like the feel of driving it... it is a comfortable ride that feels more like a car than a truck.. as some SUVs do. Decent amount of loading space for most items.
lexus 330
overall in one word - "smooth" - handles great.
A fine Lexus
Comfortable for driver and passengers with important conveniences e.g. cupholders, multiple seat adjustments. Nav system pretty easy to figure out, rear camera great safety item. Smooth and reliable ride.
JR's Revies
This car drives beautifully and handles well. The interior is spacious and extremely comfortable. The "sight lines" are excellent from the drivers seat. The automatic backup camera is a great addition and makes backing up less stressful.
AWESOME VEHICLE - SMOOTH RIDE
This is my first Lexus. This car drives like a dream; quiet, smooth and extremely responsive. One of the easiest car purchases I've ever made. I love everything about this vehicle.
Great with kids!
I love this car! I got it when my baby was a few weeks old and boy does it make things easy. Really great parent car.
Our first Japanese vehicle-ever
Love it. Probably the best interior of any 40K vehicle. They set the standards on this one. Not good mileage as we expected. Terrible back up lighting at night. Cannot see a thing in the dark. They claim nothing can be done. Ride and handling-excellent. Definately a crossover. More car-like than truck like. HID's a problem on dark roads. A defined line that is a short distance from the vehicle. At high speeds you can overrun the headlights. We use High beams alot.
great vehicle
vehicle handle great over pacheco pass
RAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
HAVING HAD 01 AND 03 OUTBACKS I CAN SAY I WAS PLEASED WITH SUBARU'S BUT THIS BEING MY 6TH LWEXUS I WOULD SAY THE EXTRA 10K IS WELL WORTH THE MONEY DIFFERENCE
headlights on Lexus Rx330
If you live in the Long Island area and NYC area your RX330 will last about a month before your headlights are stolen. Poor design on Lexus's part, it takes 30 seconds to steal the lights with a crow bar (plus the body gets damaged) Otherwise the Rx330 is a fantastic vehicle. It's very comfortable and a pleasure to drive. Quiet and smooth ride. gas mileage is so great though, but its a great vehicle.
Nothing But A Lexus
The comfort, reliability, and safety issues with my Lexus were all a big plus for me. Having all that in my vehicle along with the styling and elegance was enough to convince me it was the better choice to purchase. The service I have received after the purchase couldn't get any better. I'm totally convinced that I would never buy any other vehicle except a Lexus. I'm completely spoiled by it's quality and overall performance.
Great Vehicle
This is my second Lexus and not the last. The ride is great. THe GPS is excellent. THe sound system is fantastic. THe back-up television screen is superb. The car is extremely reliable. I have nothing negative to say about it.
great vehicle
This is the third RX that we have owned and the best so far. These vehicles are trouble free and feel like luxury cars. Lexus has combined great style and handling in a comfortable cabin with plenty of room. Can't imagine them improving this one but they probably will.
Love it!
My husband wanted a Grand Cherokee Limited but I won out. He absolutely loves this car...he hasn't stopped detailing it on the weekends. It's beautiful to look at, fun to drive, rides like you're floating on air. Nothing better this year in mid size SUV's and service is fantastic!
Love My Lexus!
Before I get to my review of my 2005 RX330 I want to mention that I have never been treated so well as I was at DCH Lexus of Oxnard, the dealership that I bought my Lexus at. From the first time I called them, to the time that I bought, and since then, they have treated me like a VIP. As to my 2005 Lexus RX330, this vehicle is awsome! It rides like a luxury sedan, handles great, has very comfortable seats, and is just a lot of fun to drive! The navigation system works great, it even tells you what lane to get into if you're in the wrong lane. I love the fact that I can give it voice commands while I'm driving. This is my first Lexus, and from my experience so far, it won't be by last.
Great and Fun to Drive Vehicle
Good acceleration at all speeds, including passing power on freeway. Transmission lag on 2004 model is gone. The 19/25 mpg accounts for the extra transmission responsiveness. Smooth and quiet ride. Good gas mileage.
excellent car, pleasure to drive
The car is a pleasure to drive. It is solid and quiet, smooth, responds fast when you have to accelerate or brake. The interior is nice, the sound system is excellent. I wish I would have bought the dvd system for long drives.
Best vehicle ever owned
I bought my 04 RX330 after having the 03 ES300. While the ES300 was a fine automobile, my toy (RX330) is tops. I love its appearance and I just love driving it. Definitely the best automobile purchase I've ever made.
The Best SUV on the market
First time Lexus buyer, The confort, handling, ride and quality are excellent, second to none. I am truly impressed. Best buy I have made in many years. Customer service is excellent and a truly pleasant buying experience.
Love this SUV
I truly love driving this SUV- and I am convinced after test driving many other SUVs in the same class that this is the best purchase for the price. The comfort in this car is matched by no other SUV I have ever been in, and it truly rides like a sedan and not an SUV. It has a very smooth ride, and has all of the luxury features/options that Lexus has built its reputation on. I am also pleased by the reliability of this vehicle. I would like a little more cargo space, and I'm not a huge fan of the metallic trim on the interior surrounding the console (would prefer wood trim), but other than that, this car has been perfect for our family of 3.