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Lexus RX 350: Difference between revisions

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===Photos===
===Photos===
[[Image:lexus roof.jpg|frame|'''2007 Lexus RX 350 Moonroof''']]
[[Image:lexus roof.jpg|frame|'''2007 Lexus RX 350 shown with Moonroof, Roof-Rack, and Spoiler''']]
[[Image:lexus350.jpg|frame|'''2007 Lexus RX 350 Dashboard''']]
[[Image:lexus350.jpg|frame|'''2007 Lexus RX 350 Dashboard''']]
[[Image:lexus400.jpg|frame|'''2006 Lexus RX 400h Dashboard''']]
[[Image:lexus400.jpg|frame|'''2006 Lexus RX 400h Dashboard''']]

Revision as of 06:15, 1 June 2006

2007 Lexus RX 350

The Lexus RX 350 is a crossover SUV manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation. It is based heavily on the Toyota Camry platform which it shares with the Toyota Highlander. The RX 350 was introduced in 1997 as the Toyota Harrier in Japan and as the RX 300 at the North American International Auto Show. It quickly gained popularity and became Lexus's best-selling model, as it was amongst the first in the crossover SUV car market genre and serves as a model for following designs.

File:RX350.jpg
2007 Lexus RX 350

Recent Changes

For 2007, the RX has a mid-cycle refresh consisting of a new 2GR-FE 3.5-liter V6 instead of the older 3MZ-FE 3.3-liter V6 engine, changing the vehicle's name from RX 330 to RX 350. The RX 350 will also feature an updated DVD navigation system with better graphics, voice controlled destination inputs, and a new device called "bread crumbs". Bread crumbs will enable drivers to retrace their steps.


Styles and Major Options


Pricing

2007 RX 350 All Wheel Drive: MSRP $39,495

2007 RX 350 Front Wheel Drive: MSRP $38,095

2006 RX 400h All Wheel Drive: MSRP $46,755

2006 RX 400h Front Wheel Drive: MSRP $45,355


Gas Mileage

According to FuelEconomy.gov, the 2007 RX 350 Front Wheel Drive averages 20 MPG City/ 25 MPG Hwy. The 2007 RX 350 All Wheel Drive averages 19 MPG City/ 24 MPG Hwy.

Visitors to GreenHybrid.com, averaged about 25 MPG with their RX 400h in the Real Hybrid Mileage Database.


Reliablity


Safety

2006 Lexus RX 400h

Airbags

The RX 400h's sophisticated network of sensors and airbags includes front seat-mounted side airbags with a larger protection area than the conventional side airbag. A driver's advanced airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) deploys in one of three speeds, depending on many factors including crash severity and driver's seat-track position. Similarly, the front passenger's advanced airbag uses occupant weight and crash-severity sensors to monitor its deployment. And rounding out this impressive system are front and rear roll-sensing side curtain airbags and a driver's-knee airbag.

VDIM

The new Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) is a technologically advanced system that uses a network of sensors throughout the RX 400h to constantly monitor the driver’s actions and vehicle movement. Anticipating vehicle control problems before they occur, VDIM helps correct the situation with a combination of braking, steering and throttle control.

ABS with Brake Assist

Four-sensor, four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist is triggered when the brake pedal is pushed quickly and the system detects an emergency situation. Together they can help the driver reduce stopping distance in an emergency by supplementing brake power if the driver does not apply enough pressure to the pedal. And should you need to hit the brakes in an emergency, the computer-controlled Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) modulates the amount of fluid pressure distributed to the brakes, helping to provide greater control during braking.

Reinforced Body

The RX 400h is designed with a welded-steel unibody frame, strong box-section, side-impact door beams and impact-dissipating front and rear crumple zones. Additionally, three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners with force limiters quickly cinch the front seatbelts in the event of a severe frontal impact.

Daytime Running Lights

Just in case its sleek body doesn't draw enough attention, the RX 400h comes equipped with daytime running lights, which help make it easier for other drivers to see your vehicle during daylight hours.


2007 Lexus RX 350

In addition to the features listed above in the RX 400h, the RX 350 also includes the following safety features:

Vehicle Stability Control

To help keep you in control, the RX is armed with an array of safety systems. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) senses lateral slip in turns and helps keep the vehicle on course, while Traction Control (TRAC) helps effectively deploy power during slippery conditions.

Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System

When it comes to driving safety, it helps to have your tires properly inflated. With this in mind, Lexus engineers designed the four-sensor Tire Pressure Monitor System to alert the driver with a light on the instrument panel when tire pressure is critically low.

Theft-Deterrent System

The RX features a sophisticated theft-deterrent system built right in. A rolling code immobilizes the engine unless the proper key is used, making the RX a very unpopular vehicle among thieves.



Photos

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2007 Lexus RX 350 shown with Moonroof, Roof-Rack, and Spoiler
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2007 Lexus RX 350 Dashboard
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2006 Lexus RX 400h Dashboard
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2007 Lexus RX 350 Interior Cabin



Colors

The 2007 RX 350 and 2006 RX 400h are available in the following colors:

Neptune Blue Mica

Flint Mica

Savannah Metallic

Bamboo Pearl

Crystal White

Millenium Silver Metallic

Black Onyx


The 2007 RX 350 is also available in these colors (The RX 400h is not):

Black Forest Pearl

Breakwater Blue Metallic


Main Competitors

Acura: MDX

BMW: X3/ X5

Hummer: H3

Infiniti: FX35/ FX45

Land Rover: LR3

Mercedes Benz: ML350/ ML500

Volvo: XC90


Hybrid Models

The Lexus RX 400h is an automobile assembled by Toyota Motor Corp. under the Lexus brand name using Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. It is called the Toyota Harrier Hybrid in Japan. After first being introduced in January 2004 at the North American International Auto Show, it would become the world's second mass-produced hybrid SUV, after the Ford Escape Hybrid. In November 2004, Toyota announced the American launch of hybrid Lexus/Toyota SUV will be delayed to the 2006 model year, with European and Asian launches during 2006. The Toyota version of the same car debuted in Japan on March 22, 2005, the same day as the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Toyota will price the RX 400h/Harrier Hybrid at a substantial premium over the non-hybrid [[[RX 350|RX300/RX330/Harrier]]. The list price in Japan ranges from 4.095 million Yen to 4.62 million Yen. In US, it will be priced at $49,185, which is a $5,600 premium over a similarly-equipped RX 350.

The gasoline-powered part of the engine system is a 3.3 L 3MZ-FE V6, very similar to the one found in the RX 350. It produced, in the case of the Harrier Hybrid, 211 hp JIS (155 kW) and 288 Nm (212 ft·lbf). The petrol engine is aided by a maximum of two additional electric motors, one driving the front wheels, producing 167 hp JIS (123 kW) and 333 Nm (245 ft·lbf) and connected to the CVT gearbox, and the other driving the rear wheels, producing 68 hp JIS (50 kW) and 130 Nm (95 ft·lbf). The whole system, called Hybrid Synergy Drive, produces a maximum of 272 hp JIS (200 kW). Under normal driving conditions, only the front motor and petrol engine will be used. The rear motor will only be used under full-throttle acceleration or when the front wheels lose traction. The petrol engine will switch off automatically and the car will be electrically driven when either stationary, decelerating, or being driven at a slow speed. A Ni-MH battery is responsible for powering the motors, and it is charged during deceleration.

The assistance of the electric motor increases the vehicle's performance; the [[[RX 350|400h/Harrier Hybrid]] can reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in less than 8 s, quicker than the petrol-only RX. Despite the increased performance, the [[[RX 350|RX 400h/Harrier Hybrid]] consumes roughly the same amount of petrol as a compact four-cylinder saloon and it qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) in America. Under the Japanese "10.15 mode" fuel consumption standard, the [[[RX 350|Harrier Hybrid]] can run 17.8 km per litre of fuel (compared with the standard coil-sprung V6 3.0 L Harrier, which returned 9.4 km/L). In Japan, it qualifies as a "4-star" LEV-car, where it produces 75% fewer emissions than the standard specified in Heisei 17 (i.e. year 2005).


Unique Attributes


Resale Values

As mentioned in the October 2005 issue of SmartMoney, the resale value of the Lexus RX remains to be high due to Lexus's "reputation for reliablity".


Criticisms


Lexus RX Generations

Current (Second) Generation: (2004-present)

First Generation: (1998-2003)


Worldwide

For European and Asian markets, the second generation RX was launched in early 2003, where it continues to be a RX 300 and is made in Japan. Mechanical specification is more or less identical to the 3.0 L V6 Harrier, with only the four wheel drive version available. Once again, air-suspension and Mark Levinson audio can be specified.

The Harrier Hybrid went on sale in Japan on March 2005, and the hybrid Lexus RX 400h went on sale during the 2006 model year in North America. Europe and Asia will also receive the Hybrid RX during 2006.


Design quirks and oddities

Awards

The RX 300 was MotorTrend magazine's Sport Utility of the Year for 1999.

Winner Australia's Best Luxury Four Wheel Drive in 2004 - Lexus RX 330



See also




External Links

Official Lexus Website