I have to admit being a little bit like
the kid in the lolly shop ... wide mouthed, in awe of what was on
offer, but unable to make a decision. The decision was what to play
with first, and the lolly shop was the 2009 Lexus RX 350. Since Lexus
introduced the RX here in 2003 with the RX 330, this model has
pioneered technology for the up-market Toyota brand. The new RX 350
continues that tradition. The RX's heritage is one of
luxury-car-mated-with-high-riding SUV to produce highly-intelligent
but practical off-spring.
Being based in Queensland, and having
an Indian summer in September, my first port of call was about the
smallest buttons on board, situated in the centre console. Flick the
dial one way for heated seat and the other for air-cooled. Cool,
thank you very much. It's not just the driver that is pampered in
this way, but also the front seat passenger.
Lexus has upgraded the RX 350 range to
three models: Prestige, Sports and Sports Luxury. We were fortunate
enough to have our road test in the Sports Luxury variant. The
Prestige entry level model is the addition to the range and will set
you back $81,900 before on-road costs. The Prestige gains a number of
standard features that were unavailable in the previous-generation.
RXs including keyless entry, Bluetooth
and iPod capability, satellite navigation, VdiM and an all-new Lexus
Remote Touch navigation system. This navigation system is available
across the three models and means that instead of a touch-screen
system you have a `mouse' type of control in the centre console which
shows a hand on the screen. You simply move the mouse – which is at
the drop of your left hand - to your desired on-screen change and
hit enter buttons that sit under the mouse. To start with it seems a
little unwieldy, but like anything else with cars after a few days it
became second nature. The aim, of course, is to minimise distraction
away from the road while driving. We found it worked pretty well, but
there is still a degree of distraction because of the screen.
The all-new RX 350 is longer, wider and
lower and while the body shape is similar, the vehicle is more
aggressive but boasts an improved drag co-efficient. Along with more
efficient engine, and all-new six speed auto transmission replacing a
five speed, fuel economy has been improved by seven per cent. Toyota
claim 10.8 litres/100 km, but due to our mainly urban running the
best we could do was in the mid 14 litres/100 km. The new VVT-i V6
engine delivers 204 kW of power at 6200 rpm and 346 Nm of torque at
4700 rpm. At no time is grunt an issue and in but all flat-out
acceleration it is whisper quiet. The instrument cluster now includes
an indicator that shows the driver when he or she is driving
efficiently. We found it a little small and hard to read quickly.
The cabin oozes practicality. There's
an abundance of storage areas, three cup holders in the front, two
bottle holders in the doors, map pockets and two 12 volt power
outlets in the centre console as well as one Aux input. In the back
it's a similar story with large storage areas in the doors and in
pockets in the back of the front seats. The fold down armrest has a
storage space as well as two drink holders. The interior has splashes
of genuine timber trim which work well in contrast to the leather
upholstery.
The rear seats have a 40/20/40 split,
but there's an easy release system to fold them flat and create a
large cargo area. We had no problem fitting in a double sofa bed to
take to a friend's house. The rear door is power controlled just open
it and it lifts automatically and to close it push a button and it
closes. Under the cargo floor there's an area
for wet or dirty items – ideal after a day at the beach.
As you would expect from Lexus safety
is paramount, both passive and active. The RX 350 is the first to
have Heads Up Display (HUD) – where you read information on the
windscreen immediately in front of the driving position – without
having to take your eyes off the road. In these days of speed cameras
hiding all over the place it gives a constant speed read out, so
there's no excuse for being over the legal speed limits, as
ridiculous as they are in many cases. The RX 350 has all the latest
technology associated with stability control.
All RX models also get rear view camera
with a line display to assist with parking. You still need your wits
about you when reverse parking, but the technology adds to getting it
right the first time. All three models have 10 airbags. While this is an all wheel drive
vehicle and is touted for off-road work, we doubt too many RX350s
will find their way off the bitumen, other than around the school
oval to watch the kids play sport. So issues such as ground
clearance, entry and departure angles as well as ramp-over are fairly
irrelevant. Buyers that want those traits within
Toyota world will prefer Prado. Highlighting that point are the 19
inch alloy wheels with lower profile tyres than the 18 inch alloys
found on the previous model. Prestige still has 18 inch alloys.
The RX 350 driving experience is one of
confidence. Open road cruising is where the vehicle excels with
comfort, low NVH, and reasonable economy. Wide, sweeping bends are
handled with ease, although on sharper turns we found some tyre
squeal and body roll. We were pushing it a bit. Still don't like the
American-style hand brake which is a foot brake and would like to see
an electronic switch hand brake, similar to that employed on MY 2010
Subaru Liberty and Outback and pioneered by other luxury marques.
The RX 350 competes against BMW X5 and
Mercedes-Benz M-Class.
MODEL
RANGE
Prestige
3.5 L $82,900
Sports
3.5 L $89,900
Sports
Luxury 3.5 L $96,900
FEATURES
ABS
Brakes: standard
Air
Conditioning: standard
Automatic
Transmission: standard
CD
Player: standard
Central
Locking: standard
Cruise
Control: standard
Dual
Front Airbags: standard
Front
Side Airbags: standard
Stability
Control: standard
Traction
Control: standard
SPECIFICATIONS
()
ENGINE:
Capacity:
3.456 litres
Configuration:
V6
Head
Design: Two overhead cam shafts per bank
Compression
Ratio: 10.8:1
Bore/Stroke:
94.0 mm x 83.0 mm
Maximum
Power: 204 kW @ 6200 rpm
Maximum
Torque: 346 Nm @ 4700 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven
Wheels: all wheel drive
Manual
Transmission: n/a
Automatic
Transmission: standard
Final
Drive Ratio: 4.398:1
DIMENSIONS,
WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length:
4770 mm
Wheelbase:
2740 mm
Width:
1885 mm
Height:
1720 mm
Turning
Circle: 11.4 metres
Kerb
Mass: 1975 – 2085 kg
Fuel
Tank Capacity:72 litres
Towing
Ability: 1500 kg (kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION
AND BRAKES:
Front
Suspension: Independent McPherson struts
Rear
Suspension: Independent trailing arm
Front
Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear
Brakes: Solid disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100
km/h Acceleration: 8.0 seconds
FUEL
CONSUMPTION:
Type:
Combined
Cycle (ADR 81/01): 10.8 L/100km
GREEN
VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse
Rating: 5/10
Air
Pollution Rating: 5.5 /10
STANDARD
WARRANTY:
4
years/ 100,000 km
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