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Claudia Hommel
Cabaret Singer
Extraordinaire
Cordell Koland
Car Writer
Weekly Reviews
 2007 Lexus RX350 by Cordell Koland The Lexus RX300 was the first crossover mid-luxury SUV constructed on a car platform and has more or less defined that segment. For 2007, Lexus is building on this success with the RX350, which features improved performance as well as additional refinements. The Lexus RX accounts for over one-third of the company's burgeoning sales and will certainly hit sales in the 90,000 to 100,000 range this year. As such is one of the most important vehicles in the luxury category. And with its highly optioned sticker price pushing $50,000, you cannot buy much more luxury at any price. Our review took us to the Seattle area for a long weekend and the RX350 provided flawless transport. This is one SUV that won't remind you at all of a truck. It is superbly quiet. To enhance this quality for the 2007 model, Lexus has added an acoustic glass windshield and increased sound isolation for the door panels, dashboard and floor mats. The short story is that we were very impressed with the RX350. It is fast and comfortable, has ample power and pampers driver and passenger with a host of features almost too numerous to mention, but we'll try. The boost in performance for the 2007 model insures that the RX350 will respond quickly to driver commands. Horsepower increases by 47 for a new total of 270. But more importantly, the time it takes to go from a dead stop to 60 miles per hour is now just 7.4 seconds, which means you can safely play in the fast lane. On the road, the RX350 delivered excellent acceleration, both from a stop and for passing at speed. The new bump in horsepower uncovers what I feel to be the only flaw in the whole package. The RX is aimed at the broadest market possible and in the company's eyes that dictates a fairly compliant ride accompanied by a relatively soft suspension that dictates an absence of road feel and precise handling. To really get the full effect of what Lexus offers in the RX350, I'd recommend what might be called the super-dooper upgrade package. It includes the voice-activated satellite navigation system, high-end Mark Levinson audio system, rear back-up camera, tilt and telescope steering wheel, high-intensity discharge headlights and moonroof. These goodies add $7,090 to the list price, but make driving more enjoyable. Our test vehicle added adaptive cruise control at $600 as well as heated front seats with rain-sensing front wipers and headlight washers at $665. The final option, a rear entertainment system with DVD player at $1,740, is probably a worthwhile expenditure for families with small children. We put some of the optional features to extensive test. The satellite navigation was particularly useful in Seattle. The Puget Sound area features topography shaped by varied terrain and large bodies of water. These natural resources produce visual delight, but have engendered a highway layout and a street numbering system that defy logic. We had rough familiarity with the area, but not enough to proceed without directions. The Lexus system uses a combination of a console video screen, plus voice prompts. The system moved us quickly around the city and took a lot of pressure off the driver and navigator. The navigation system is also quite easy to use, offering prompts to aid in inputting addresses. Some of the other optional features were also useful. We particularly liked the power rear door. Even with both arms full, it was still possible to grasp the key, press the right button and there, right before our eyes, the liftgate swung up and allowed us to deposit our bags directly into the cargo area. I have grown to appreciate the rear back-up camera. Lexus has mounted a video camera in the rear end, which is wired to the video display mounted on the dashboard. People like the fact that they can sit up high in a SUV. The downside to sitting up high is that you cannot see what is immediately behind the vehicle. The Lexus cameral brings all of this into focus and makes backing out of tight parking spaces a less unnerving experience. <>Vehicle: Lexus RX350 Price as tested: $49,682 Engine: Type: 3.5-liter V-6 Horsepower: 270 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm Torque: 251 lbs.-ft. @ 4,700 rpm Fuel economy, automatic transmission City 19 mpg Highway 24 mpg Curb Weight: 4,090 lbs. Cordell Koland is an automotive journalist based in California's central coast. He can be reached at cordellkoland@oakparkjournal.com |
