Overview & Reviews

Vehicle Skid Control (VSC), traction control and BrakeAssist safety technologies are now standard, as is water-repellant front door and sideview mirror glass. Lights front and rear are revised, and the grille has been changed to a simpler design with chrome accents and a larger Lexus badge. HID headlights and chrome-plated wheels are optional for 2001, the full-size spare is newly mounted to a matching alloy wheel and a larger 19.8-gallon fuel tank increases driving range. Inside, new cloth upholstery debuts and an all-black leather option is available. Chrome door handles and scuff plates emblazoned with the Lexus logo class up the joint, while an additional cupholder is available to rear-seat occupants. Optional for 2001 are a wood-trimmed steering wheel and wood trimmed shift knob. Two-level seat heaters are also available. A DVD-based navigation system is optional, with the contiguous U.S. mapped onto a single disc. Child seat-tether anchors and ISO-FIX bars have been added this year. Models with 4WD get prewiring for towing and a standard rear bumper protector. Four new colors round out the list of changes for 2001.

• Well-appointed interior, perfect road manners, smooth powertrain, purse holder.

• Allergic to major off-highway work, chintzy interior trim, dopey LCD screen in center of dash, feels more like a minivan than an SUV.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 76.00

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  Not a Lexus Toyota Fan Anymore - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By Joe - June 9 - 10:20 pm

  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), Ive changed from a die-hard fan to a never-again disbeliever. Couldnt 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.

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  Big problems at 89,000 but loved my little RX300 - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By milomadison - March 11 - 12:39 am

  I loved this car and miss it but it wasnt worth the problems we ended up having at only 87,000 miles. Especially after paying what we did. Transmission issues a known problem I see now. We bought it used in 2005 with only 41k miles on it from a Lexus dealer in CA and it was certified (which means nothing). We loved it until this year, the transmission went out, which Lexus agreed to put in a refurbished tranny and we had to pay the labor $1500.00. Then the battery went and then we started having lights go on, the traction control light would not go off, then the driver window would get stuck! You would think a higher end car would be built better!

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  RX300 2001 Problems Transmissions - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By Berny - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Gentlemen, 2001 RX 300 has a company defect. The transmissions are failing; I have replace the transmission twice so far at 120,000 miles. I believe this to be a factory problem with the entire model for several years 1999 through 2002. I wish Lexus would step up to the plate and fix these vehicles transmissions. $2500 to $6,000 EACH REPAIR!

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  Transmission break down. - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By saimatha - December 28 - 12:23 pm

  I have 115000 miles. The transmission had failed on the freeway. Cost to have it fixed with a remanufactured transmission from same dealer is $3400. Surprized to find this failure at 115000 miles. did not have this problem with US cars even with mileage more than 150000. Are we blind sighted to the quality of Lexus? This dos not complain about the failing door locks and engine light on etc.

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  yep - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By dfksj - November 7 - 10:00 am

  this is a very nice vehicle. im thinking about buying the new 330 series. Maybe next year or the year after, even decent milage !!!

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  bad bad car - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By plipps - August 16 - 7:20 am

  I purchased my car drove it for less then two years, I replaced the transmission in it 3 times and right now it this very moment I need another transmission I paid out more for transmissions than the car cost me. I loved the car that is why I tried to keep it but it put me in the poor house, shame on Lexus

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  Horrible engines, do not buy! - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By winburnj - April 5 - 6:40 am

  All I can say is do your homework! Just after I rolled over 100,00 miles my engine threw a rod and now I am getting another engine put in. I ran a full synthetic oil for 22000 miles and did not think that Lexus would have problems like this with this mileage. All I can say is before you buy do your research on Lexus oil gel/sludge.

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  Will not buy another RX - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By DROBB - November 14 - 3:46 pm

  We bought our RX used, with very low mileage. After having owned 5 trouble free Toyotas, we were shocked when the transmission of our well maintained RX failed at 80K miles. It was an expensive and very time consuming repair, as the parts were very hard to locate. We still are not happy with how the transmission hunts for a gear at lower speeds. Cargo space is terrible, interior is a bit cramped and not all that comfortable and the center console and cup holders are poorly designed and flimsy.Turning radius is bad and acceleration could be a lot better. No more RXs for us. EVER!