Does Lexus RX300 have 4 wheel-drive?
Not a traditional 4WD. The Lexus RX300 was offered with all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option, but it does not include a low-range transfer case typical of rugged 4WD systems.
The RX300 is the first generation of Lexus's RX SUV, produced roughly from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. It was available in two drivetrain configurations: Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or All-Wheel Drive (AWD). The AWD option provides power to both axles as needed to improve traction on wet, icy, or slippery surfaces. However, it is designed for on-road stability and light off-road use, not for serious off-roading or rock-crawling with a low-range feature.
Drivetrain configurations and how they work
What AWD means in the RX300
In the RX300, AWD is typically a full-time system that distributes torque between the front and rear wheels via a center differential or similar mechanism. There is no driver-selectable low-range gear or transfer-case engagement, which are hallmarks of traditional 4WD setups intended for extreme off-road use.
Below is a concise look at the practical implications of the RX300’s drivetrain options:
- The RX300 offered two main configurations: Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) and All-Wheel Drive (AWD). AWD is designed to improve traction on wet, snowy, or slippery roads by delivering power to both axles as needed.
- AWD in the RX300 is not a rugged 4WD system with a low-range. It operates to enhance on-road stability and light off-road capability, rather than off-road gearing.
- The engine is a V6 paired with a conventional automatic transmission; the drivetrain’s purpose is daily driving confidence and weather resilience, not heavy-duty off-roading.
In practice, this means the RX300’s AWD helps with grip in poor weather and impromptu slippery conditions, but it should not be relied upon for serious off-road adventures that require a traditional 4WD with a low-range.
How to verify AWD on a used RX300
What to look for in documentation and markings
Identifying whether a specific RX300 has AWD involves a few straightforward checks. Look for clear indicators in badges, the window sticker, or the owner's manual. VIN lookup or a dealer confirmation can also verify the drivetrain configuration.
Before you inspect a vehicle, keep these notes in mind about the RX300’s AWD:
- Look for an AWD badge on the rear hatch or sides of the vehicle; confirm in the documentation that AWD was the chosen option.
- Understand that the AWD system in the RX300 provides traction to all wheels as needed but is not a low-range 4WD system.
- Check maintenance records for differential fluids and related drivetrain service to ensure the AWD system has been cared for appropriately.
verifies the model’s drivetrain configuration and helps set expectations for performance and maintenance relative to a traditional 4WD system.
Summary
The Lexus RX300 does not employ a traditional four-wheel-drive system with a low-range transfer case. It offered all-wheel drive as an option, which improves traction and stability on wet, icy, or slippery roads but is not designed for demanding off-road use. When shopping for an RX300, confirm whether the specific vehicle is AWD or FWD via badges, documentation, or VIN details, and keep expectations focused on on-road performance rather than off-road gearing.
How to turn on 4 wheel drive Lexus RX?
If all-wheel drive lock mode successfully. Gets you unstuck. And on your way you can turn it off manually by pressing the all-wheel drive lock mode switch.
Is the Lexus RX300 4WD?
Pricing & Values. Prices shown are the prices you can expect to pay for a 2000 Lexus RX300 4 Door Utility 4WD across different levels of condition.
What is the common problem of the Lexus RX300?
Problem: The automatic boot motor is known for failing on the RX300. If you notice that the automatic boot makes a clunking noise when you press the button to open or close it, this indicates the motor is starting to fail. If the boot does not open at all, then the motor has completely failed.
Do Lexus RX have 4 wheel drive?
LEXUS CROSSOVERS/SMALL SUVS WITH AWD
The RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 350 F Sport present AWD as an option to the standard FWD, but the hybrids, the 450h and 450hL, are AWD only.
