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2009 Lexus RX350 & RX450h
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If the brand new Lexus RX doesn’t look much different than what it’s replacing, that’s intentional. After all, this is the most prolific luxury crossover ever, as well as the company’s bestseller. A cautious visual updating is indicative of the evolutionary changes underneath. Minor tweaks to the RX350’s engine liberate a few extra ponies; more noticeable is the new 6-speed transmission, which not only improves acceleration and increases fuel economy, but shifts so seamlessly its hard to tell when the gear swaps actually occur.
More radically altered is the hybrid version, now labeled RX450h. A larger, Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter engine combines with more efficient electric motors, higher IQ computer brains, and buffer batteries to help it deliver on the promise of its Green image—unlike the outgoing version. Charging hard it will still return mid-20’s mileage; following the promptings of its ‘efficiency gauge’ led me to a frankly astonishing 30.4mpg average in mixed use.
A retrograde step is the Lexus’ steering. Now electrically assisted, it feels videogame artificial and suffers strange changes in weighting just off-center. That’s a shame, as tighter chassis calibrations give this new RX350 a level of cornering prowess its forebears lacked.
The RX’s cockpit is more sybaritic than its already cosseting predecessors’ and proffers an even higher level of quality within its roomier confines. Almost any imaginable convenience is now available; the highlight is Lexus’ new systems control interface, dubbed “Remote Touch”. It’s the first instance I’ve seen of a tactile-feedback, ‘haptic’ device in an automobile, and it makes most other input systems seem antiquated and clumsy. It works a bit like a computer mouse that gives your hand kinesthetic prompts as you scroll its cursor over various icons, and it’s completely intuitive. Capping the numerous other thoughtful improvements in this latest RX, Lexus should have no problems retaining sales leadership.
THE BROKER'S VIEWPOINT: The brokering perspective on RXs is that they have consistently held their value better than most all other crossovers—despite a level of market penetration that would seem cause for market saturation. Perhaps this is because they suit people’s real-world usage so well: comfortable ride, reasonable size, lots of goodies, and reliable service.
The exception is the hybrid RX400h, which Lexus considered a ‘performance hybrid’. The public didn’t know what to make of that label, figuring hybrids were supposed to be fuel-efficient. As the RX400h would only do about 1-2mpg better than its significantly cheaper gas-only sibling, disappointment set in, and today, used hybrid RXs are worth barely more than their conventional brethren (this same syndrome led to the early demise of the Honda Accord Hybrid).
Lexus look’s to have learned from their mistake, and if the big gains in efficiency the new RX450h demonstrated on its launch translate to the real world, its greater pricing may not be a liability in terms of cost-of-ownership.
Price Range:
RX350 AWD: $39,025-48,268
RX450h: TBA
For More info: www.Lexus.com
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