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Lexus SUV Adds Super New Powers
By Jim Bray
Maybe they should call it RX Version 4.
Since the introduction of Version 1, the RX 300, a few years ago,
the Lexus luxury SUV has seen its share of upgrading and refinement.
First there was Version 2 (the RX 330) and its addition of a larger
engine along with such nifty features as a power operated tailgate.
Then came Version 3, the hybrid RX 400h introduced in 2005.
Now Lexus has once again upped the ante with the 2007 RX 350.
The new name indicates yet more power, but this V6 engine isn't
just the old one upgraded again: this time it's an all-new V6 that
Lexus says improves fuel economy while upping the oomph ante.
The new power plant plants 270 horses of power onto the road @
6200 rpm and 251 lb-ft of torque @ 4700, which is more than adequate
for this type of vehicle. The double overhead cam engine uses intelligent
variable valve timing to, as Lexus says, "optimize torque
for quick response at all engine speeds" while improving combustion
efficiency.
The
gas pedal hooks into the engine in an electronic drive by wire
manner, and this version of the increasingly popular "by wire" concept
is hooked into new throttle control logic for quicker acceleration
response. That doesn't mean this SUV leaps from a stop light like
a Corvette, but it does mean that the power and torque is there
when you want it.
The transmission is a five speed "Super Electronically Controlled" automatic
that shifts very smoothly.
Lexus says the RX 350 achieves Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle 2 (ULEV
2) status, with EPA-rated fuel consumption of 19 mpg highway and
24 city.
Available in either front or all wheel drive configurations in
the U.S., or as AWD in Canada, my AWD-equipped tester was a handsome
and well built vehicle that was very pleasant to drive and would
undoubtedly be pleasant to live with.
The AWD RX has an integrated transfer case and viscous coupling-controlled
limited slip center differential that under normal conditions splits
the torque 50/50 between the front and rear axles. This is not
only good for handling, but also appears to help control the torque
steer that's noticeable so often with front wheel drive vehicles.
When the driving gets tough, the differential sends extra torque
to whichever axle has the most traction. This doesn't mean you'll
be able to drive the RX up the side of an office building, but
it does mean it'll offer you good stability on snowy or wet roads.
There's also a "snow" setting that will undoubtedly come
in really handy during winter driving.
Vehicle Stability Control and traction control helps maintain
aplomb during cornering and works in conjunction with the anti
lock brake system and the throttle to help correct under and over
steer.
Naturally, you also get four wheel disc brakes enhanced with Electronic
Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist. Brake pedal feel is
good; it takes decent pressure to bring them on strongly, but I
prefer that to some vehicles that seem anxious to stand on their
noses at the slightest application of foot pressure.
The RX 350 comes equipped with 17 inch aluminum alloy wheels wearing
P225/65 R17 tires.
The
ride is smooth and comfortable, but not floaty. The independent
suspension features Macpherson struts and an anti-vibration subframe,
reaction-force controlled coil springs, high damping-rate bushings,
high-response gas-filled shocks and stabilizer bars.
New on the RX 350 is a tire pressure monitoring system, but I'm
not sure they want to brag about that. Its warning light came on
once when I was out and about, but when I checked the pressures
they were fine and shortly thereafter the warning light went off
again and never lightened the instrument panel subsequently. This
is the second vehicle with this feature that has experienced such
false alarms during my test drives.
I could only find a couple of other quibbles, one of which I thought
was a fairly major piece of fuzzy design and one of which was decidedly
nit picky.
The first was the sunroof controls which, from a manufacturer
that prides itself on pursuing perfection, were particularly frustrating.
There are two controls, one for tilting the roof and one for sliding
it. Yet both controls on my tester operated both functions, which
makes one wonder why the redundancy.
But what got me was that there's no obvious "default" setting
that tells you when the sunroof is closed completely (or if there
is I didn't find it during a week with the RX 350), so if you're
about to drive through a car wash you'd best be very, very sure
you aren't about to give yourself and your luxuriously appointed
Lexus a high pressure shower.
The upside, I suppose is that a good hose down could save you
from having to vacuum the interior.
The minor quibble was the labeling of the key fob's buttons. The
lock and unlock buttons are labeled black on black – but
what's more interesting is that the "lock" button also
has "PANIC" printed in red right on the button itself.
I had trouble reading the black on black labels, since the first
time I was exiting the vehicle was in very bright sunlight and
I didn't have my reading glasses, so all I could see was the "Panic" button,
which I was reluctant to press lest the RX start screechin' and
hollerin' to beat the band.
Fortunately,
I screwed up my courage and pressed the button anyway, and all
was well.
And if that's the extent of my complaints (and it is), it just
goes to show that the RX 350 is a heckuva nice vehicle overall.
Another key fob button is really handy: it lets you activate the
power open/close feature on the tail gate, which is a wonderful
thing to behold when you're heading across the parking lot with
your arms full of grocery bags.
Inside, as one would expect from a Lexus, it's very comfortable
and luxurious. Quiet, too, perhaps thanks in part to the new windshield
soundproofing that Lexus says lowers wind noise by two decibels.
There's sound insulation in the floor and dashboard, too. This
lets you hear passengers better or, more pleasantly, the stereo.
My tester had the standard satellite-ready 8 speaker AM/FM/6 disc
CD changer system and it's a nice one. The sound quality is very
good, and the disc player handles MP3 and WMA files; it also features
an auto sound leveler and a nifty feature that lets you tailor
the "sweet spot" to various positions including the driver's.
The RX Premium Edition's leather and wood steering wheel (which
moves out of the way when you remove the ignition key) has audio
and cruise control buttons on it. This particular trim package
also gets you the power tailgate, wood shift knob and a wonderful
high-intensity discharge headlight system that features an auto
leveling system and adaptive lights that swivel to help illuminate
turns and curves.
The heated leather seats are very comfortable, and you get two
memory settings to ensure your optimal driving position doesn't
get screwed up by some casual driver. The rear seat splits and
fold down 40/20/40 to create even more hauling space; they also
slide and recline.
HVAC
is automatic, dual zone and straightforward.
If all this stuff isn't enough for you, you can upgrade the RX
even more, to include stuff like the Mark Levinson audio system
that comes with a DVD system for the rear seats (and should play
DVD Audio discs, at least in Dolby Digital) and displays via a
9 inch LCD screen. There's also a navigation system available that
features a rear view camera that activates when you shift into
reverse. This is a handy feature, though in my limited experience
with such systems they're also prone to being washed out in bright
sunlight.
Safety equipment in the RX includes multi-stage airbags up front,
a knee airbag for the driver and large side airbags up front designed
to protect the occupants' torsos, abdomen (or, as they're known
in today's politically correct environment, abdopeople) and pelvises.
There are also roll-sensing front and rear head/side curtain airbags
and, of course, the usual complement of belts.
I don't know about the situation in your neck of the woods, but
around here it seems as if you see as more RX's on the road than
there are squeegee people, which is quite something when you consider
the premium price of this SUV.
There are good reasons for this. One is the vehicle's overall
quality and execution, Lexus hallmarks since day one. Another is
that the RX is also efficient and practical, while coddling you
nicely.
The RX 350 AWD starts at $39,495 U.S./$51,550 Canadian. The U.S.-only
FWD version starts at $38,095.
