Lexus RX any thoughts...?

[V8Smith]

My parents are contemplating buying a Lexus RX 4x4, they need a car that will be ok in the snow, as they live in a remote village, they have read they are not good in the snow, can any owners give their opinion?

Cheers

Mike

[Matt UK]

I took our rx300 out to play last winter and took it skiing in the alps. Ours was wearing M&S rated tyres and was unstoppable. If there was clearance, there was traction. 4wd system could be coaxed into some rear biased 4 wheel drifts as well.

I'm glad it was fun, made up for the 11 mpg...

[TheHeretic]

Not an owner, but my sister bought one of these after getting rid of her Land Rover. It was a nice enough car, but for its size, it felt quite small inside. We had some pretty heavy winters in Upstate NY, and it handled the snow as well as could be expected on winter tyres. Never had any traction issues to speak of, or starting issues, etc.

[Codswallop]

Matt UK said:

I took our rx300 out to play last winter and took it skiing in the alps. Ours was wearing M&S rated tyres and was unstoppable. If there was clearance, there was traction. 4wd system could be coaxed into some rear biased 4 wheel drifts as well.

I'm glad it was fun, made up for the 11 mpg...

The bit in bold is key. I have driven past all manner of 4x4s in a fwd Mazda 6 wearing winter tyres when the 4x4s had summer tyres.

4 wheel drive does offer some traction advantages for moving off and slowing, but in my experience proper tyres for the conditions matter more than the number of driven wheels (plus winter tyres aid cornering).

[ikonic]

My parents have one.


Was okay in the snow, seemed to do the job but as mentioned earlier, tyres are they key.


Shockingly for us though, the car hasn't actually been that reliable.

Been stranded by it once owing due to corroded battery connector; and had about £3k worth of repairs to driveshaft and wheel bearings (thankfully under warranty) during its year and a half with us.


Nice enough car though and doesn't seem to offend the masses like other big SUVs.