The Bottom Line: In place of extreme off-roading capabilities, the RX330 offers luxury, comfort, fit-and-finish, and even performance and power that the European and Domestic automakers cannot match.
Ask anyone. After driving Japanese imports for a couple of years, it is nearly impossible to drive anything else. Surely, luxury-level European cars have its own appeal and taste, but Japanese cars seem to have the impeccable fit and finish that even the European auto industries cannot match.
That's why when I looked for a family-friendly vehicle, I looked no further than the fairly newly-designed RX330. I have chosen the flint mica color, which is absolutely gorgeous.
Living in the tri-state area means facing inclement weather all year-round; unexpected snowstorms in the winter, and heavy rainstorms in the summer. The all wheel drive system serves its purpose by giving power to the wheel that needs grip, on-road, but when the RX is taken to the Catskill Mountains over the weekend, climbing through the unpaved roads can be a pain in the neck, especially with a fully-loaded cargo and two kids in the back. Although the height clearance is good, this car ain't 'trail-rated' as one domestic manufacturer claims. In forfeiting the off-road capabilities, you get an SUV (or Luxury Utility Vehicle as Lexus puts it) that is quiet, comfortable, and simply, luxurious.
The interior dimension is adequate for weekend getaways, but not too impressive. The car also lacks a third-row seat option which can pose a problem for soccer moms. The back seat is surprisingly spacious, although I had trouble packing a 6 foot tent without compromising rear seat leg room (yes, the rear seats move forward/aft!). The soft leather/wood material on every inch of the car made me consider getting protective seat covers to avoid any spillage that might damage the aromatic, warm, and fine upholstery.
Passing is no problem. The throttle is responsive, and the engine can be revved higher by using the gate shifter. Driving on the Henry Hudson or the FDR can be a breeze with the transmission on the '4' mode. This limits the transmission upto fourth gear (of five) and acceleration is just a light step away. The RX seemed to 'sip' gas rather than 'guzzle' it like most of its sports utility vehicle competitors. I have averaged between 17 to 21 miles per gallon. This is a plus when premium unleaded gas can cost more than $2.30 a gallon.
I've initially thought of the automatic rear hatch as an all-show, no-go feature, but when you have your hands full of, let's say, groceries from a local Stop and Shop or gardening materials from Lowes, it is an indispensable feature. The rear hatch can also be opened from inside automatically.
Suspension is adequately tuned, and it can take bumps and cracks in the roads fairly well. Braking is excellent; in the hectic concrete suburbian jungle that I live in, braking is extremely important.
GPS Navigation system is intuitive and easy to use. I've gotten particularly fond of the 'point of interest' feature in the navigation system where I can locate the nearest ATM, grocery store, restaurants, or even golf courses. The dashboard is very well laid out but the climate control might take some time to master. The Mark Levinson sound system option is definitely a plus, and the ASL (Automatic Sound Level) is just another touch that Lexus considered before putting the car into final production.
I have financed the RX through Toyota Financial services, and paid approximately $44k for the car with options. Despite its high retail and retaining value, I think it's too much to pay. The dealers are willing to negotiate, so be aware.
Lexus is doing a fine job at its "Passionate Pursuit of Pursuit of Perfection".
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 44180
Condition: New Model Year: 2005 Model and Options: Premium Plus Package with Nav: HID, Nav, Mark Levinson, Camera
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