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 11 through 20 of 76.00

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  Nice machine with some funny quirks - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By Larry Pope - December 22 - 10:00 am

  We started looking at ML320s but liked the styling and ride of the RX better. The RX is built on a Camry frame while the ML is a truck and it feels like it. Besides, an MB built in Alabama? Please. I only have one complaint with this car. The brakes sound like a locomotive trying to stop. I started complaining about them at 10,000 miles. The dealership "adjusted" them and supposedly changes some parts. Finally at 36,000 miles, they put on a kit that quieted them down. The new kit only has a few hundred miles on it and so far so good. A $40,000 car shouldnt have that kind of flaw. (In their defense, all the brake work was done under warranty.)

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  2001 Lexus RX300 - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By karamzin - November 5 - 9:53 am

  I bought my 2001 Lexus RX300 almost two years ago with 89K, now it has 98K and I love this car. Its a laxuary car with a lot of options. Also, mine has its factory navigation system, so I just changed the disc to 2011 and Im happy. All I have to say its a perfect family car especially in a winter time when it snows.

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  RX is Best Car Ive Owned - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By Tom in Omaha - August 10 - 10:00 am

  The 2001 RX is the first Lexus we have owned and it is the best car we have owned. Rides great, comfortable for four adults (dont bring a lot of luggage) and performance is very acceptable (remember this is an SUV). One of the nice benefits of an Lexus is the service provided by the dealership, which is fantastic. Last year we went skiing in Colorado and the RX went up I-70 without any problems at all ... more power than I had predicted.

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  Money Well Spent - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By drahcir61 - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned 2 Jeep Grand Cherokees since 1994 & although I loved how those SUVs drove, reliability & repair costs were not fun. The 01 Lexus RX300 is everything I expected ... great performance, excellent reliability, & luxurious interior. Somewhat pricey but well worth it over the long term.

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  Forget the monstrous SUVs! - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By ShereKhan0074 - December 25 - 2:00 am

  My RX300 was the smartest purchase Ive made. It drives as smoothly today as it did the day it came off of the lot, and has an incredible service record- never had ANYTHING break. I dont understand the big deal that is being made over the LCD screen. Its not complicated! After a couple of drives to get used to it, I acclimated to the system and now love being able to see all of the information at a glance. If you cant figure out the info on the screen, you probably shouldnt be operating a 2-ton vehicle.

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  Thrilled - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By KSmith - December 1 - 2:53 pm

  My first SUV LOVE the ride, does great in the snow, Great visibility, overall VERY HAPPY with my truck ( I cant really call it a truck!).

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  Sludge engine car- do not own - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By bob305 - November 26 - 4:13 am

  Forget what you think about Lexus and Toyotas quality, the 3.0 L engine in this vehicle has a KNOWN defect that Toyota/Lexus has been ducking for years. My car blew an engine despite proper oil changes and care. Problems generally occurs after 100,000 miles after warranty. Toyota settled a class action lawsuit on this and essentially paid lawyers millions so they can duck the problem. Google "Sludge Engine" but be aware you have a time bomb on your hands.

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  PERFECT SUV - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By bryce - August 15 - 7:06 am

  I LOVE MY LEXUS RX300. Everything about the car is absolutely perfect. It is quick off of the line and handles very well. The interior is beautiful and very comftorable. There is plenty of space and it sits the perfect height off of the ground. THE STANDARD SOUND SYSTEM IS AMAZING. I love everything about it.

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  Outstanding vehicle - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By Mike - August 11 - 5:30 pm

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

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  Great car. - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By pdriver - June 26 - 10:00 am

  A great combination of luxury and practicality. This car is equally at home in an upscale social scene or hauling home plants and potting soil. Mileage is excellent for SUV; average of 20 MPG in mostly in-town driving. Would definitely purchase this vehicle again.