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2009 Lexus RX 350
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Story and photographs by Tom Strongman |
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ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga.— When the Lexus RX 300 bowed in 1998, it was the first luxury crossover utility vehicle. The third generation is now in showrooms. The RX has had worldwide sales of 1 million in 11 years. The hybrid RX 450h will be on sale later in the year. The new vehicle is only marginally larger, and it doesn’t look dramatically different, but it has been redesigned throughout. Adding comfort and convenience to enhanced functionality were goals. A redesigned rear suspension takes up less space, and that creates a wider cargo space. Lexus invited auto writers to drive preproduction models of the RX 350 and RX 450h. They are essentially identical to the cars that will be in showrooms but they are built before actual production begins. The RX 350 is available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The base price for front-wheel drive is $36,800. All-wheel drive begins at $38,200. Prices for the RX 450h have not been announced. The revised 3.5-liter V-6 now has 275 horsepower, up from 270 last year, and it is coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. Even though the engine is only fractionally more powerful, the new RX has a livelier step because 90 percent of its torque, or pulling power, is available from 2,300 to 6,100 rpm. More torque at lower rpm gives sharper throttle response. New intake and exhaust manifolds improve breathing. Lexus developed a new all-wheel-drive system for the RX 350 using an electronic coupling ahead of the rear axle. The system is 35 pounds lighter. The hybrid RX 450h uses a separate rear electric motor to drive the rear wheels. Comfort and convenience are key watchwords for a luxury crossover, and the RX 350 is even better than before. Lexus is known for its quiet cabins, and the RX continues that tradition. The interior design is a bit more adventurous. Lexus says the cabin’s styling reflects the company’s “L-finesse” philosophy: The interior is broken into a “display” zone and an “operation” zone. A brushed silver panel and an LCD screen highlight the asymmetrical center stack. Gauge markings use white organic light-emitting diodes on a black background. The optional navigation system can be operated by voice command or with a mouse-like device on the center console called Remote Touch. The controller is more intuitive and less complicated than similar one-control systems used by competitors because it has tactile feedback. As the operator moves the controller near a screen icon, the cursor is pulled to that icon with a click. Very clever. A head-up display that projects white numerals on the windshield is an option. The front seats have 10-way power adjusters, and the optional leather is glove-soft. A USB port for connecting an iPod allows the driver to manipulate the device through the vehicle’s audio system. A premium audio system has 12 speakers. The optional rear-seat entertainment center has video screens mounted on the back of each front seat. That enables back-seat passengers to do different things. For example, one person can watch a movie while the other plays a video game, and each can listen to the audio with wireless headphones. A wide-view side monitor uses a tiny camera in the bottom of each outside mirror to show areas alongside the vehicle. A back-up camera displays its image either in the optional navigation screen or in one section of the rearview mirror. Price: The base price of the RX 350 is $36,800 for front-wheel drive or $38,200 for all-wheel drive. The cars I drove were preproduction models and they did not have price stickers. Warranty: Four years or 50,000 miles with a six-year, 70,000-mile powertrain warranty. To reach Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tom@tomstrongman.com.
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