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2011 Lexus RX350: Quiet ride will keep Denver drivers well insulated

The 2011 Lexus RX 350 doesn't disappoint when it comes to a smooth quiet ride. You would expect Lexus vehicles to be exceptionally quiet, and the RX is no exception. The suspension is compliant and the added insulation will keep Denver driver’s and occupants well insulated from the noisy outside world.

The 3.5-liter V-6 is also notably quiet, but more than powerful enough to  accelerate this crossover with ease. The suspension does feel soft, but for those Denver driving enthusiasts wanting a more sporty driving experience, the RX 350 can be ordered with the firmly tuned Sport package.

The RX 350 responds well to throttle out on the road.  The six-speed automatic uses a lower first-gear ratio than the typical 5-speed, and it gets the RX quickly up to highway speeds and works well going up I-70 into the mountains.

The RX 350 is built more for passenger comfort and not for spirited driving. The double-wishbone independent rear suspension has a lot to do with that. But it still has good road manners when taking tight corners fast.

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This 2011 Lexus RX 350 came with all-wheel drive ($39,375) and comes standard with a 3.5-liter V-6 offering 275 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque.

The all-wheel-drive version features an Active Torque Control AWD system that optimizes torque depending on driving conditions, resulting in improved efficiency and performance. The all-wheel-drive system is lighter and more efficient than in the previous generation. It works electronically without the locking center differential in previous models. The system uses an Active Torque Control all-wheel drive with variable torque split.

Fuel economy is estimated at 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel drive model, and drops to 24 highway for the all-wheel drive model.

Click here and we’ll give a full report on the 2011 Lexus RX 350.

, Denver Commuter Examiner

Denis is a Denver native and has a passion for automobiles. His extensive automotive background includes racing, 13 years in automotive technology sales, and 7 years in automotive media, test driving vehicles for the manufactures.His web site is denverautosolutions.com.

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