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Lexus RX 350 Review: Difference between revisions
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==Safety: 5 Stars (out of 5)== | ==Safety: 5 Stars (out of 5)== | ||
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All models achieved five-star safety ratings for driver and front-seat passenger in the federal government's frontal crash test. See the Honda Accord NHSTA crash test results[http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=187]. | All models achieved five-star safety ratings for driver and front-seat passenger in the federal government's frontal crash test. See the Honda Accord NHSTA crash test results[http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=187]. | ||
Revision as of 00:58, 8 June 2006
The 2007 Lexus RX 350 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 [1]. The only siginificant critique mentioned by some reviewers is that the hybrid RX is a little stiffer in handling.
See also the main fact sheets for the 2007 Lexus RX 350 and the 2006 Lexus RX 400h.
High Points
2007 RX 350
2006 RX 400h
Low Points
2007 RX 350
2006 RX 400h
Performance and Handling
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)
All models achieved five-star safety ratings for driver and front-seat passenger in the federal government's frontal crash test. See the Honda Accord NHSTA crash test results[2].
ABS is standard on all models. Luxury models are equipped with Electronic Brake-force Distribution. ABS helps prevent skidding; EBD distributes braking force to the tires with the best grip.
All Accords have side-impact and curtain airbags, in addition to the required dual front airbags. All V6 models come with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Brake Assist. EX V6 models are also equipped with traction control.
See also the Accord safety info page[3] at Honda's corporate site.
Reliability and Maintenance: 5 Stars
The Accord 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 gas.
Consummer Reports and others rate reliability 5 stars (out of 5).
Interior and Comforts
Front seats are wide and tall; legroom is generous. A tilt-and-telescope steering wheel is standard. Seats are lower in the coupe and the side bolsters are more snug.
Rear seat legroom is standard for the class.
Interior space is used efficiently, with a good-sized glovebox, a big center console, and a bin under the audio system that holds 12 CDs. The Accord offers coinholders, cellphone cord hooks, grab handles over every door, console lights, power outlets, and sunglasses holders. Up to eight cupholders are provided.
Honda and Acura's navigation systems are among the best.
Honda's intelligent dual climate control, packaged with the navigation system, attempst to maintain the perfect temperature for driver and passengers.
Exterior
Both the Honda Accord sedan and coupe were face-lifted for 2006, with a a sharper snout, and a new grille, bumpers, and tail lights.
The two-door coupe is very different from the four-door sedan in styling, sharing a family resemblance, but little more.
The Accord's buld quality is very high-- you hear the quality when you close the doors.
A common critique is the bland styling of the vehicle, but owners seem to quickly overlook because of all its other strong attributes. One drivers says, "It's not an ugly car, but it's not striking...Once you sit in the car, though, you'll forget about what the outside looks like."
Styles and Options
The major decisions with the Honda Accord are:
- Coupe or Sedan
- 4 cylinder or V6
- Cloth or leather upholstery
- Trim
Sedans are available in VP, LX, and EX trims:
The VP is new for 2006, replacing the DX. The VP is better equipped and comes standard with air conditioning, cruise control, daytime running lamps, power locks and keyless entry. The VP has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission (MSRP of $17,995).
LX ($19,775) and EX ($22,200) sedans add more. The new LX Special Edition has 16-inch alloy wheels, four-wheel-disc brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), in-dash six-CD changer, steering wheel audio controls, body-color side sills and carbon fiber interior accents. The EX is available with leather upholstery, a DVD navigation system, and XM Satellite Radio.
LX V-6 ($23,950) and EX V-6 ($26,850) add not only a 3.0-liter V6 and automatic transmission, but 17-inch wheels and tires and more luxury equipment as well, including a power glass sunroof and heated side mirrors. All V6 models now come with Vehicle Stability Assist(VSA) and brake assist. Leather is standard on the EX V6. A six-speed manual transmission is now available in EX V6 sedans as well as coupes. Coupes are available in LX ($19,875) and EX ($22,300) only and come standard with the four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission. An automatic transmission is available. The LX V-6 coupe ($23,900) comes with the V6 and automatic. The EX V-6 coupe ($26,950) is a performance-oriented model, and comes with either the five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission as a no-cost option; it also has leather seats.
Coupes are available in LX ($19,875) and EX ($22,300) only and come standard with the four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission. An automatic transmission is available. The LX V-6 coupe ($23,900) comes with the V6 and automatic. The EX V-6 coupe ($26,950) is a performance-oriented model, and comes with either the five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission as a no-cost option; it also has leather seats.
Honda Accord Hybrid ($30,140), combines a V6 gasoline engine and an electric motor to provide more power: 253 vs. 244 for the gasoline-only V6. The Accord Hybrid gets substantially better fuel economy: 30/37 miles per gallon City/Highway vs. 21/30 for the standard V6. It comes standard with a power glass sunroof, heated side mirrors, and VSA.
Main Competitors
Midsize SUVs that are comparable to the RX are:
- Acura RDX
- BMW X3 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 ML350 Side-By-Side Comparison
- Volvo XC90 Side-By-Side Comparison
