2010 Lexus RX 350 Review

On the market since 1999, the RX luxury sport-utility was among the first of its kind to come from Japan. We doubted the Lexus would be a victim of its own success, as every other premium brand followed suit a year or two later.

The 2010 version gets a lower grille, sloping headlights and broader shoulders.

But the RX is still a strong seller in Canada, beating out every other luxury SUV in its market segment this year; only the Mercedes-Benz GLK comes remotely close.

Recognizable style
The 3rd-generation RX looks pretty much like the previous one. At a quick glance, you’d think the SUV only received a facelift, but in fact, a complete makeover was performed. The 2010 version gets a lower grille, sloping headlights and broader shoulders, while in back, the sloped rear window and spoiler remain.

Due to its high bumper and the absence of a prominent chin spoiler, the Lexus benefits from a good approach angle, although its departure angle is average at best. That’s not a major issue since we don’t expect many RX customers to go rock hopping.

Overall, the Lexus looks good, but its styling is a little too generic for our tastes.

Straight-line speed
The RX 350 boasts a 3.5-litre V6 that develops 275 horses and 257 lb-ft of torque. That’s more than enough gusto for this SUV, as it hits 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and the quarter-mile in 15.7 seconds at 142 km/h.

As for fuel economy, our average is 11.8 L/100 km with a mix of city and highway driving, which is quite good. We actually dipped below 10 L/100 km in the midst of a recent comparison test.

Unsurprisingly, the Lexus doesn’t exploit a sporty driving character as a few of its competitors, namely the Acura RDX, Audi Q5 and BMW X3, but can handle itself pretty nonetheless. The RX does excel in ride quality and cabin quietness, though.

Under normal driving conditions, the RX’s all-wheel drive system sends 100% of the power to the front wheels. When wheel slippage is detected, up to 50% of available power can be dialed back to the rear wheels. At low speeds, however, the driver can manually lock the system in a 50/50 split as needed.

The RX 350 boasts a 3.5-litre V6 that develops 275 horses and 257 lb-ft of torque

Top-shelf fit and finish
Inside the RX 350, you’ll find an instrument panel that’s a little adventurous in design but is assembled with high-grade components. The centre stack is curved to put the emphasis on the driver, and the two-tone theme is tasteful. The front seats are wonderfully supportive, while the back seat provides a generous amount of foot space.

This SUV trades some sportiness for a quiet and spacious cabin.

A clever novelty in this Lexus is the pseudo-mouse that controls the multimedia system; it’s easy to use and the cursor even snaps to the on-screen buttons so you don’t have to pinpoint them with surgical precision while driving. On the other hand, we don’t like having to reach all the down in the center storage box to plug in our USB keys and cell-phone cords, because it’s very deep.

Lexus gives customers the opportunity to upgrade their vehicles with option groups, and this RX 350’s Ultra Premium Package is no joke; it adds a 15-speaker, 7.1-channel Mark Levinson sound system with USB port, a dual-screen DVD entertainment system, a power sunroof, a navigation system, a backup camera, adaptive xenon headlights, ventilated front seats, 19-inch wheels, extra interior wood trim and a bunch of other stuff. The package costs $15,300, which is the price of a nicely-equipped subcompact.

Competition
The 2010 RX 350 carries a base price of $46,900, while our tester costs $62,200 with the aforementioned option package.

The luxury SUV segment is a crowded one, and Lexus holds its own against:
Acura RDX, 240 hp, $41,400
Audi Q5, 270 hp, $43,400
BMW X3, 260 hp, $45,300
Cadillac SRX AWD (2010), 265 hp, $44,875
Infiniti EX35, 298 hp, $40,900
Mercedes-Benz GLK350, 268 hp, $41,800
Subaru Tribeca, 256 hp, $39,995
Volkswagen Touareg 2, 280 hp, $44,975
Volvo XC60, 281 hp, $45,495



Conclusion
The RX 350 is an interesting choice for those who want luxury and a high level of fit and finish in a trendy vehicle. Like many Lexus products, the RX isn’t the most rewarding to drive in its category.

However, this SUV trades some sportiness for a quiet and spacious cabin, a powerful but reasonably frugal powertrain and a reputation for reliability. And by looking at the new RX’s sales figures, that strategy definitely seems successful.

The RX is an interesting choice for those who want luxury and a high level of fit and finish in a trendy vehicle.