CD Article: 2010 Lexus RX

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:


The best-selling Lexus in Canada, the RX SUV gets even better with the 2010 model, reports Senior Editor Paul Williams; the RX 350 and RX 450h (hybrid) receive revised powertrains, redesigned interiors and impressive new technologies.
 More: View the photos | All the First Drives

[rrocket]

Made in Canada!!!   

[vdk]

too much venza for my tastes.. but overall better looking than the outgoing model.. gets the job done!

[Dave W]

multilink suspension = double-wishbone?

[Cortina]

Are Toyota going back to 70's b/c even they just get fugly and fugly as of late.

[carcrazy]

The powertrain is sweet as usual, the materials and build quality most likely are typical Lexus - high quality, but boy the design is so not appealing to me, which again it's typical for Toyota.

[Greg B.]

A new version of the trophy wife's vehicle of choice... something for all those young ladies driving Rav4s to aspire to.

[tortoise]

Once again proving the "utililty" in SUV is completely misplaced.

To me it really looks like the IS300 Sportcross jacked up. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Once again proving the "utililty" in SUV is completely misplaced.

  In order to get the same cargo area as the Legacy/Outback, Jetta wagon or Passat, you've got to get into a pretty damn big CUV. Lots more body roll, weight and wind resistance too. I just don't understand these things at all.

[carcrazy]

Going by the numbers, the 2010 RX350 cargo area is listed at some 40 cu.ft / 80 cu.ft. Although close, I doubt that any wagon posts similar numbers.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

It's all vertical, it's not useful space unless you pile things over the seatback, which isn't safe. The Passat wagon is about 35cu ft with the seat up.

[carcrazy]

It's all vertical, it's not useful space unless you pile things over the seatback, which isn't safe. The Passat wagon is about 35cu ft with the seat up.

It may be helpful if you have a tall, bulky item.
Anyway, I get and agree with your point, as I know it first-hand (this is one reason I like Outlander's cargo bay better than any other compact SUV).

Most likely for the very same reason, I think in Europe the manufacturers post the cargo space up to the windows level.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The Outlander does better than most, probably class leader. I liked the tailgate too.

We were looking for the best space/efficiency compromise. The cute utes had much less space than the wagons. Mid-sized CUVs were better, but mileage went south in a hurry.

[carcrazy]

The Outlander does better than most, probably class leader. I liked the tailgate too.

We were looking for the best space/efficiency compromise. The cute utes had much less space than the wagons. Mid-sized CUVs were better, but mileage went south in a hurry.

... then the CUVs have more passenger room, especially in the rear (sliding and reclining rear seats in the Outlander are very useful too).
... then higher ground clearance is another plus especially in winter time.

Going back to the RX350, and particularly Toyota's 3.5L V6, the fuel economy is very good too, very close to most 2.4/2.5L I4s.

[sailor723]

The Outback would have been fine for my purposes in terms of cargo room. Where it failed to make the grade for me was in terms of back seat room.That's why I chose to go the CUV route. Although,truth be told,the SRX really is more of a "tall" wagon.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I can comfortably sit behind myself in the Outback so not an issue. I've also hit 7L/100kms, none of the awd CUV can touch that. It has the same ground clearance as the RAV, CRV, Escape etc. The presence of a very good manual transmission and a limited slip differential are just icing on the cake.

[sailor723]

Funny,different people have different standards. I liked the Outback quite a lot. I just felt it needed to be an inch or two wider and have a couple of inches more rear legroom in terms of the passenger space (cargo space was fine). For me,the mid sized CUV's I looked at (like the RX350) were "just right" in this regard.

[Thinking Out Loud]

There is always your Mazda 5 option......tall wagon! 

[Bullet Blue]

Looks very Mazda CX-9ish from the rear, IMO

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I've always liked the RX, and at least Lexus has resisted the temptation to grow it. Has always appealed especially well to females size and design-wise, and should continue to.

I with the rear window rake weren't quite so strong (figure they can compete with the EX/FX/X6 coupe-like roofline with it no doubt), and that the front bumper had a little more aggression in it instead of being so plain. The interior with its full centre console gives more of a sedan impression than before. Man I hate Lexus' trim level naming convention, so confusing with each level intended to sound exquisite.

Overall, very much an evolution, that not being a bad thing. The formula continues to work.

Any pricing yet?