2008 L.A. Auto Show: 2010 Lexus RX 350
- Competes with: Acura MDX, Infiniti FX35
- Looks like: Lexus took a page from Toyota for its redesigned crossover
- Drivetrain: 275-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 with six-speed automatic
- Hits dealerships: February 2009
Lexus’ wildly popular RX SUV has been withering on the vine, waiting for a redesign, for some time now. Lexus has finally delivered with an all-new 2010 model that shares a lot with the new Toyota Venza crossover. The new RX is slightly longer and wider than the 2009 model, and it packs a more powerful V-6 engine that produces 275 hp, versus the 270 from last year’s engine.
While the look outside seems like an organic upgrade from the past, the interior is radically different. The dashboard features swoopy curves around the controls and center LCD screen, and the shifter is mounted smack in the middle of the center stack of controls. Like many competitors, a square-ish control now manages the navigation system, but if it becomes too bothersome there’s voice activation as well. The navigation system is optional.
The RX comes standard with 18-inch wheels and optional 19s. Owners might wonder why they get shortchanged compared to Venza owners who get 20s standard on V-6 models.
Mileage numbers weren’t released, but we assume the RX 350 will match the Venza’s above-average 19/26 mpg city/highway for front-wheel-drive models and 18/25 mpg city/highway for all-wheel drive. A hybrid RX will also be offered, and we’ll have more information on that in another post.
