From somewhere west of swank and south of sumptuous comes the “S” in this SUV. Lexus doesn’t do sinew and sweat, if that’s what you’re thinking a sport-ute ought to be. This is “sport” as in something off the Ralph Lauren rack.
Call it supple and silky. Call it silent and soothing. If you’re seeking a serene and swift transporter for up to five persons, this is your SUV.
The “swift” part is new this year, as Lexus turned the knob up on the RX330 to produce this RX350 — more power mostly. That past model, fresh for 2004, with its rakishly swept-back windshield and coupe-like roof angles, was a hit with affluent buyers. It sold about 108,000 copies each year since, which is roughly three times the volume of the BMW X5 and the Mercedes M-class SUVs, and four times that of the Lincoln Navigator.
Turning the knob boosted horsepower to 270, up 47 from the 2006 model, owing to a V-6 upsized to 3.5 liters from 3.3 and variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust cams (only the intakes had it before). Acceleration is energetic, hitting 60 mph from a standing start in 6.8 seconds, a full second quicker than the RX330. Quarter-mile ET and speed, at 91 mph and 15.4 seconds, improved by 5 mph and 0.8 second, showing the pay-off from a much fuller torque curve.
Packaged only with a five-speed automatic, this Lexus can cut and thrust with the best of them. The go pedal is calibrated just right, requiring only a small motion of your foot to bring on the rush, yet there’s no overly eager jumpiness when you’re squeezing into tight parking confines. Lexus manners are impeccable. At 4248 pounds, the weight of our all-wheel-drive test car (front drive is standard) is unchanged from before, but it feels lighter and more lively in traffic, thanks to the extra torque, of course, but also to the low efforts required for Lexus steering and braking.
LEXUS RX
From somewhere west of swank and south of sumptuous comes the “S” in this SUV. Lexus doesn’t do sinew and sweat, if that’s what you’re thinking a sport-ute ought to be. This is “sport” as in something off the Ralph Lauren rack.
Call it supple and silky. Call it silent and soothing. If you’re seeking a serene and swift transporter for up to five persons, this is your SUV.
The “swift” part is new this year, as Lexus turned the knob up on the RX330 to produce this RX350 — more power mostly. That past model, fresh for 2004, with its rakishly swept-back windshield and coupe-like roof angles, was a hit with affluent buyers. It sold about 108,000 copies each year since, which is roughly three times the volume of the BMW X5 and the Mercedes M-class SUVs, and four times that of the Lincoln Navigator.
Turning the knob boosted horsepower to 270, up 47 from the 2006 model, owing to a V-6 upsized to 3.5 liters from 3.3 and variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust cams (only the intakes had it before). Acceleration is energetic, hitting 60 mph from a standing start in 6.8 seconds, a full second quicker than the RX330. Quarter-mile ET and speed, at 91 mph and 15.4 seconds, improved by 5 mph and 0.8 second, showing the pay-off from a much fuller torque curve.
Packaged only with a five-speed automatic, this Lexus can cut and thrust with the best of them. The go pedal is calibrated just right, requiring only a small motion of your foot to bring on the rush, yet there’s no overly eager jumpiness when you’re squeezing into tight parking confines. Lexus manners are impeccable. At 4248 pounds, the weight of our all-wheel-drive test car (front drive is standard) is unchanged from before, but it feels lighter and more lively in traffic, thanks to the extra torque, of course, but also to the low efforts required for Lexus steering and braking.
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