Lexus RX Review

The 2007 Lexus RX is consistently rated one of the very best mid-size luxury SUVs. The 270 horsepower V6 RX is considered a great value, as it performs as well as many of the V8s.

A summary of all reviewers on Autos.com rates the 2006 RX 400h 2nd best of 20 mid-sized SUVs. The only siginificant critique mentioned by some reviewers is that the hybrid RX is a little stiffer in handling. The fact that the engines in hybrids shut off to save fuel means that these cars must have some other means to providing power steering in place of conventional hydraulic systems driven by the engine.

See also the main fact sheets for the 2007 Lexus RX and the 2006 Lexus RX 400h.

2007 RX 350

 * More powerful engine
 * Spacious
 * Lots of luxury items
 * Built from top-notch materials

2006 RX 400h

 * Excellent fuel economy
 * Good warranty
 * Smooth and quiet ride

2007 RX 350

 * Not suited for off-road activity
 * Flat seat cushion in the rear
 * No V8 option
 * No third row seat available

2006 RX 400h

 * Expensive
 * Feels heavier than it should
 * Shifting can be clumsy

Performance and Handling
The RX350 is equipped with a 3.5L 270hp V6 engine, powering a 5-speed automatic with overdrive, which offers better response and efficiency than a traditional four-speed automatic. It is notable for its smooth ride, gliding over broken, potholed pavement. Its steering is light and accurate and it feels poised when cornering. Its fully independent suspension helps keep the tires in contact with the pavement for lots of grip. The all wheel drive system automatically routes power to the wheels with the best grip and works with the ABS to slow any wheel that slips and spins.

Driving the RX 400h is quite similar to driving the RX 350. It's smooth and sophisticated, powerful and responsive. Starting out is a bit different, however.

Twist the key and everything on the dash lights up, but there's no sound of an engine starting, only silence. Slide the transmission lever to drive and you can pull silently away on electric power. This is not at all intuitive at first because we're all accustomed to hearing and feeling an engine running before shifting into drive. Shifting into drive when there's no sound, no vibration, is a new experience.

At low speeds, the RX 400h is perfectly content to operate in electric-only mode. The gas engine starts whenever it's needed to supplement the electric motor. Step hard on the gas pedal and the V6 kicks in quickly and seamlessly. You can barely hear or feel when this happens. It works exceptionally well. All the components work in concert most of the time.

The 3.5L V6 is basically the same engine as the one used in the RX 350, but it's modified and tuned to work with the electric motor. It's set up for the on-demand instant restarting used by the hybrid system. Unlike the RX 350's engine, the engine in the hybrid does not use the variable-valve setup because it's not needed and takes up space. There's no starter, no alternator, and no serpentine belt to run all that stuff.

The RX 400h still accelerates nicely and operates in foul weather like an SUV should. And, of course, its greatest draw is its fuel economy, which only eats gas at about the same rate as a compact car.

Gas Mileage: 1st AND 2nd Places
According to EPA estimates summarized on Autos.com, the 2006 Lexus RX 400h ranks 1st of 20 Luxury SUVs. The 2007 270-HP Lexus RX 350 ranks 2nd in fuel economy:
 * 2006 RX 400h: 33/28
 * 2007 RX 350: 20/25

It's worth noting, though, that the gas mileage of the top vehicles in this class varies only slighty-- by a few miles per gallon.

Safety: 5 Stars (out of 5)
The 2007 Lexus RX 350 AND the 2006 Lexus RX 400h tied for 3rd place out of 34 luxury SUVs tested on Autos.com.



See the Lexus RX crash test results from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. .

See also the RX 350 safety info page|lexus].com/models/rx/safety.html] and the RX 400h safety info page |lexus].com/models/rx_hybrid/safety.html]at Lexus's corporate site.

Reliability and Maintenance: 5 Stars
The Lexus is low maintenance. There's no scheduled maintenance for at least 105,000 miles, except for oil changes, and even those are required only every 10,000 miles. Both engines run on regular gasoline.

Consummer Reports and others rate reliability 5 stars (out of 5).

Interior and Comforts
The RX 350's cabin is luxurious and inviting. The optional leather is soft and slightly bunched. Splashes of real wood trim adorn the doors and center console.

Getting in is easy, with no need to climb up or duck down. The front seats are positioned off the floor at a comfortable chair height and are snug and supportive. The seats are relatively flat, making it easy to get in and out.

The instrument panel has three large round gauges trimmed in silver. The center dash area is framed in metallic-looking plastic topped with a pair of air vents. The center stack is dominated by the available seven-inch display. This screen is used for climate control and trip computer functions, as well as displaying the outside temperature and clock (with alarm). It's also used by the optional navigation system and rear-view camera. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is shifted into reverse. You can't drive backward by watching the screen, but it's very useful for checking for obstacles (and people) that would otherwise be difficult to see from the driver's seat.

The rear seat is contoured for two, though it has belts for three. Indeed, the RX is comfortable for four people, crowded with five. There's a folding center armrest with cupholders, storage, and its own wood trim.

The RX 400h offers the same high levels of comfort found in the RX 350 plus a few notable additions. Brushed-aluminum accents lend a contemporary look. Also, the instruments have evolved: In place of a traditional tachometer, there's an illuminated meter on the left that displays the level of power generated by the hybrid powertrain. The driver can also monitor the gas-electric power distribution on the multi-information display or on the optional navigation system's seven-inch touch panel display. Most of the other features and available options are identical to the RX 350.

Exterior
The Lexus RX was among the first to introduce a zoomy new design theme to the SUV market and this second-generation model builds on the style set by the original RX 300. The shape of the RX is sharply defined by radically raked, body-colored pillars at all four corners of its cabin, with the window frames and posts blacked out to blend with the ovoid side-window opening. The RX 350's raked-back front fascia and headlamps are reminiscent of the Lexus ES sedan.

A beefy front bumper and pronounced fender flares are designed to suggest the RX is capable of venturing off the pavement. Door handles are of the reach-through type, more hand-friendly than the fingertip-grip variety and offering less opportunity to break long fingernails or snap away from your fingers when you're in a hurry. The rear view of the RX 330 reveals a visor-like spoiler over the top edge of the rear window, a short radio antenna at the right rear corner of the roof (promising better reception in marginal areas than the also-included imbedded-in-glass type), and clear-lens taillamps.

While the 400h is just slightly taller and heavier than the 350, there is little difference between the two of them in terms of exterior styling. The changes that are visible are a new front bumper for increased cooling, a new grille, new fog lamps, and new tail lamps with LEDs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs.

Styles and Options
The 2007 RX 350 is the latest in the RX series from Lexus. The greatest difference between the current model and its predecessor, as noted by its name, is the size of its engine. The 3.3L 223hp V6 engine of the RX 330 has been replaced by a 3.5L V6 that pumps out 47 more horsepower at 270. Most everything else remains virtually unchanged.

The RX 350's list of standard luxuries is long, and includes automatic climate control, premium audio, cruise control, traction and stability control, privacy glass, automatic headlamps, 8-way power for both front seats, wood and leather trim for the steering wheel and shift knob, a power rear liftgate, and 17-inch silver alloy wheels.

Several option packages are available to add even more to the standard items. The Premium Package, for example, includes leather upholstery, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, roof rack, and a one-touch moonroof. The Performance Package includes all of the items in the Premium Package, plus 18-inch graphite-colored aluminum alloy wheels with P235/55R18 tires, height-adjustable air suspension, sequential-shifting transmission, rain-sensing wipers, the HID headlamps with AFS, and a power rear liftgate. The Navigation Package also adds, as its name implies, a DVD navigation system.

Similar to the 350, the 400h hybrid consists of one base model with a few options. The exterior is relatively the same as the 350, with the exception of a few minor differences like the grille design. However, the 400h comes with a host of standard features only available in the optional packages for the 350. These include regency leather interior trim, automatic dual-zone climate control, premium audio, cruise control, automatic headlamps, 10-way power driver's seat, eight-way power front passenger's, leather trim for the steering wheel and shift knob, AM/FM/cassette/6CD stereo, and a power rear liftgate.

Main Competitors
Midsize SUVs that are comparable to the RX are:
 * Acura RDX and MDX
 * BMW X3 and X5 Side-By-Side Comparison
 * Hummer H3 Side-By-Side Comparison
 * Infiniti FX35 Side-By-Side Comparison
 * Land Rover LR3 Side-By-Side Comparison
 * Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Side-By-Side Comparison
 * Volvo XC90 Side-By-Side Comparison