Lexus RX 350 - Revision history

Carguy at 21:27, 6 July 2006

2006-07-06T21:27:30Z

Show changes

PNiddy at 19:25, 30 June 2006

2006-06-30T19:25:15Z

Show changes

Slalom: /* Second Generation: (2004-present) */

2006-06-30T09:28:03Z

Second Generation: (2004-present)

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	====Second Generation: (2004-present)====		====Second Generation: (2004-present)====
	The second generation RX, called the '''Lexus RX 330''' for the North American and Middle Eastern markets, was introduced at the 2003 North American International Auto Show. The North American-market cars were initially built in Japan, with production of the RX 330 started at Toyota's Cambridge, Ontario, Canada plant in September 2003 (some North American RX 330/RX 350 models are still made in Japan). The RX 330 is powered by a 3.3 L 3MZ-FE V6, producing 223 hp SAE and (238 ~~ft·lbf~~), and is available in either front or four wheel drive. "AIRS" air-suspension is again an option on the four wheel drive models, and interestingly, a Mark Levinson sound-system is available in place of the JBL system found in the Toyota Harrier.		The second generation RX, called the '''Lexus RX 330''' for the North American and Middle Eastern markets, was introduced at the 2003 North American International Auto Show. The North American-market cars were initially built in Japan, with production of the RX 330 started at Toyota's Cambridge, Ontario, Canada plant in September 2003 (some North American RX 330/RX 350 models are still made in Japan). The RX 330 is powered by a 3.3 L 3MZ-FE V6, producing 223 hp SAE and (238 ft·lb), and is available in either front or four wheel drive. "AIRS" air-suspension is again an option on the four wheel drive models, and interestingly, a Mark Levinson sound-system is available in place of the JBL system found in the Toyota Harrier.

	[[Image:lexusgen2.jpg\|frame\|The Second Generation Lexus RX]]		[[Image:lexusgen2.jpg\|frame\|The Second Generation Lexus RX]]

Carguy: /* Current Model ''(Updated Second Generation)'' */

2006-06-26T12:06:14Z

Current Model ''(Updated Second Generation)''

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	=====Current Model ''(Updated Second Generation)''=====		=====Current Model ''(Updated Second Generation)''=====
	For 2007, the RX has a mid-cycle refresh consisting of a new 2GR-FE 3.5-liter V6 instead of the older 3MZ-FE 3.3-liter V6 engine, changing the vehicle's name from RX 330 to RX 350. The RX 350 will also feature an updated DVD [[navigation system]] with better graphics, voice controlled destination inputs, and a new device called "bread crumbs", enabling drivers to retrace their steps.		For 2007, the RX has a mid-cycle refresh consisting of a new 2GR-FE 3.5-liter V6 instead of the older 3MZ-FE 3.3-liter V6 engine, changing the vehicle's name from RX 330 to RX 350. The RX 350 will also feature an updated DVD [[Navigation System\|navigation system]] with better graphics, voice controlled destination inputs, and a new device called "bread crumbs", enabling drivers to retrace their steps.

	====First Generation: (1999-2003)====		====First Generation: (1999-2003)====

beenine at 15:18, 25 June 2006

2006-06-25T15:18:25Z

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	[[Image:400.jpg\|frame\|'''The Lexus RX Hybrid''']]		[[Image:400.jpg\|frame\|'''The Lexus RX Hybrid''']]

	The '''Lexus RX 350''' is a crossover SUV manufactured by the [http://www.toyota.com Toyota Motor Corporation]. It is based heavily on the [[Toyota Camry]] platform which it shares with the [[Toyota Highlander]]. The RX 350 was introduced in 1997 as the ~~'''~~Toyota Harrier~~'''~~ in Japan and as the ~~'''~~RX 300~~'''~~ at the North American International Auto Show. It quickly gained popularity and became Lexus's best-selling model, as it was amongst the first in the crossover SUV market and serves as a model for following designs.		The '''Lexus RX 350''' is a crossover SUV manufactured by the [http://www.toyota.com Toyota Motor Corporation]. It is based heavily on the [[Toyota Camry]] platform which it shares with the [[Toyota Highlander]]. The RX 350 was introduced in 1997 as the Toyota Harrier in Japan and as the [[RX 300]] at the North American International Auto Show. It quickly gained popularity and became Lexus's best-selling model, as it was amongst the first in the crossover SUV market and serves as a model for following designs.

	See WikiCars' comprehensive [[Lexus RX 350 Review]].		See WikiCars' comprehensive [[Lexus RX 350 Review]].

Rfujitani: /* See also */

2006-06-22T12:49:42Z

See also

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:49, 22 June 2006
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	Currently, [[Lexus]] is using the fourth generation of [[Hybrid Synergy Drive]] from [[Toyota]]. Each generation surpasses the previous, making them faster and less expensive. The hybrid powertrain adds a mere 300 pounds to the vehicle’s curb weight, making it an impressive engineering acheivement, since the majority of this weight is mounted low in the vehicle. To manage the additional weight, [[Lexus]] made the chassis of the RX more chiseled. The [[Lexus]] RX, [[Lexus ES 350]], [[Toyota Camry]], and [[Toyota Highlander]] are all built on the same platform with slight modifications between the sedans and the SUVs.		Currently, [[Lexus]] is using the fourth generation of [[Hybrid Synergy Drive]] from [[Toyota]]. Each generation surpasses the previous, making them faster and less expensive. The hybrid powertrain adds a mere 300 pounds to the vehicle’s curb weight, making it an impressive engineering acheivement, since the majority of this weight is mounted low in the vehicle. To manage the additional weight, [[Lexus]] made the chassis of the RX more chiseled. The [[Lexus]] RX, [[Lexus ES 350]], [[Toyota Camry]], and [[Toyota Highlander]] are all built on the same platform with slight modifications between the sedans and the SUVs.

	====Interior====		=====Interior=====
	~~The RX 400h offers~~ the ~~same high levels~~ of ~~comfort found in~~ the RX ~~330 plus a few notable additions.~~ Brushed-aluminum accents ~~lend a contemporary look. Also, the instruments have evolved: In place of a traditional tachometer, there's an~~ illuminated meter ~~on the left that displays~~ the level of power generated by the hybrid powertrain. The ~~driver can also monitor the~~ gas-electric power distribution on the multi-information display or on the optional navigation system~~'s seven-~~inch touch panel display.		Amongst the addtions to the interior of the RX 400h are the following:
			* Brushed-aluminum accents
			* An illuminated meter, displaying the level of power generated by the hybrid powertrain replaces the tachometer
			* The gas-electric power distribution can also be pulled up on the multi-information display or the optional [[Navigation System\| navigation system]]’s 7 inch touch panel display.

	The ~~cabin is luxurious and inviting. The leather is soft and slightly bunched. Getting~~ in ~~is easy~~, ~~with no need to either climb up or duck~~ down~~. The front seats are positioned off~~ the ~~floor at a comfortable chair height and~~ are ~~snug and supportive. Foldable armrests on both front seats provide additional comfort on longer trips~~. ~~The center console slides forward and back, allowing room for a purse between~~ the ~~front~~ seats.		The rear seats fold down just like in the RX 350, however they don’t fold down perfectly falt since the battery packs are stored there. Once the rear seats are folded, there is 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, compared to the RX 350’s 84.7 cubic feet. Both RX models still surpass their main competitors, the [[BMW X5]], the [[Mercedes-Benz ML350]], or the [[Infiniti FX]], in terms of cargo space. However the RX still does not offer a third-row seating area.

	The instrument panel has three large round gauges. The center dash area is framed in metallic-looking plastic topped with a pair of air vents. The center stack is dominated by the seven-inch display. This screen is used for climate control and trip computer functions, as well as displaying the outside temperature and clock (with alarm). It's also used by the optional navigation system and rear-view camera. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is shifted into reverse. You can't drive backward by watching the screen, but it's very useful for checking for obstacles that are difficult to see from the driver's seat. The system includes Bluetooth and voice activation. The downside to all this integration is that you have to press two buttons to change the fan speed rather than one. Also, ~~the trip odometer~~ is ~~hard to read~~. ~~Lexus dealers can program the default settings~~ of ~~many of the functions, so be sure you have them tailor automatic door locking and other features to your preferences.~~

	Audio controls are at the bottom of the center stack. The radio has big knobs for volume and tuning, that are easy to use. The Lexus premium audio is a 132-watt, eight-speaker system with AM/FM/cassette with [[In-Dash 6-Disc CD\|six-disc in-dash CD]] changer. The optional Mark Levinson audio system features 11 speakers and 210 watts.

	The shifter for the CVT automatic is located on the center dash and follows a mechanical zigzag pattern to make sure you only move it one position at a time. We found it made shifting between reverse, drive, and the lower gears ponderous when we were in a hurry.

	The rear seat is contoured for two, though it has belts for three. There's a folding center armrest with cup holders and storage. The rear seats fold forward 40-20-40, the center section providing a long, narrow space ~~for skis~~, ~~shovels, and fly rods, while still allowing four people~~ to ~~ride in comfort. There is no third-row seat for~~ the RX.

	~~Folding the rear seats down reveals 83.9~~ cubic feet ~~of cargo space~~, ~~more than a~~ [[BMW X5]], [[Mercedes ML350]], or [[Infiniti FX]], ~~and just slightly less than an RX 330~~. ~~The rear seats don't fold perfectly flat, however. The battery packs are housed under~~ the ~~rear seats~~.

	==Awards==		==Awards==
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	\|align="center" colspan=22\|'''[[Lexus]], a [[marque]] of [[Toyota]], road car timeline, 1989-present''' [<small class="editlink noprint plainlinksneverexpand">[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:Lexus\|action=edit}} edit]</small>]		\|align="center" colspan=22\|'''[[Lexus]], a marque of [[Toyota]], road car timeline, 1989-present''' [<small class="editlink noprint plainlinksneverexpand">[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Template:Lexus\|action=edit}} edit]</small>]
	\|-		\|-
	\|align=center rowspan=2 bgcolor=#F0F0F0\|'''Type'''		\|align=center rowspan=2 bgcolor=#F0F0F0\|'''Type'''
	\|align=center colspan=1 width=4% bgcolor=#F0F0F0\|[[1980s~~\|80s]]~~		\|align=center colspan=1 width=4% bgcolor=#F0F0F0\|1980s
	\|align=center colspan=10 width=40% bgcolor=#F0F0F0\|[[1990s]]		\|align=center colspan=10 width=40% bgcolor=#F0F0F0\|1990s
	\|align=center colspan=10 width=40% bgcolor=#F0F0F0\|[[2000s]]		\|align=center colspan=10 width=40% bgcolor=#F0F0F0\|2000s
	\|- align=center bgcolor=#F0F0F0		\|- align=center bgcolor=#F0F0F0
	\|width=4%\|9		\|width=4%\|9

PNiddy: /* Exterior */

2006-06-10T00:27:39Z

Exterior

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	** The tires are designed to provide grip to the corners rather than offer low levels of rolling resistance. By doing so, [[Lexus]] opted away from hard, low-grip tires, which would have improved fuel efficiency. Instead of focusing solely on fuel efficiency, [[Lexus]] chose to improve and enhance the handling of the RX 400h.		** The tires are designed to provide grip to the corners rather than offer low levels of rolling resistance. By doing so, [[Lexus]] opted away from hard, low-grip tires, which would have improved fuel efficiency. Instead of focusing solely on fuel efficiency, [[Lexus]] chose to improve and enhance the handling of the RX 400h.

	Currently, [[Lexus]] is using the fourth generation of [[Hybrid Synergy Drive]] from [[Toyota]]. Each generation surpasses the previous, making them faster and less expensive. The hybrid powertrain adds a mere 300 pounds to the vehicle’s curb weight, making it an impressive engineering acheivement, since the majority of this weight is mounted low in the vehicle. To manage the additional weight, [[Lexus]] made the chassis of the RX more chiseled. The [[Lexus]] RX, [[Lexus ES 350]], [[Toyota ~~Comry~~]], and [[Toyota Highlander]] are all built on the same platform with slight modifications between the sedans and the SUVs.		Currently, [[Lexus]] is using the fourth generation of [[Hybrid Synergy Drive]] from [[Toyota]]. Each generation surpasses the previous, making them faster and less expensive. The hybrid powertrain adds a mere 300 pounds to the vehicle’s curb weight, making it an impressive engineering acheivement, since the majority of this weight is mounted low in the vehicle. To manage the additional weight, [[Lexus]] made the chassis of the RX more chiseled. The [[Lexus]] RX, [[Lexus ES 350]], [[Toyota Camry]], and [[Toyota Highlander]] are all built on the same platform with slight modifications between the sedans and the SUVs.

	====Interior====		====Interior====

PNiddy: /* Exterior */

2006-06-10T00:26:57Z

Exterior

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	====RX 330 vs. RX 400h====		====RX 330 vs. RX 400h====
	=====Exterior=====		=====Exterior=====
	~~The~~ RX 400h ~~and~~ the RX ~~330 look more alike than different, but there are some subtle styling differences~~. Among them: a ~~new front bumper~~ for increased cooling, a new ~~grille~~, ~~new fog lamps, new tail lamps~~ with LEDs instead of traditional ~~incandescent bulbs~~.		There are only a few subtle differences that sets the RX 400h apart from the RX 350. Among them:
			* a New Front Bumper for increased cooling
			* a New Grille
			* new Fog Lamps
			* New Tail Lamps, with LEDs instead of traditional Incandescent Bulbs
			* 18-inch wheels
			** The wheels are 7 inches wide
			** The tires are designed to provide grip to the corners rather than offer low levels of rolling resistance. By doing so, [[Lexus]] opted away from hard, low-grip tires, which would have improved fuel efficiency. Instead of focusing solely on fuel efficiency, [[Lexus]] chose to improve and enhance the handling of the RX 400h.

	The RX 400h also gets specific 18-inch wheels. The wheels are 7 inches wide and the tires are designed to provide grip in corners rather than offer low levels of rolling resistance. This says a lot about the intent of the RX 400h. Lexus ~~could have improved fuel efficiency further with hard, low-grip tires, but chose to enhance handling instead.~~		Currently, [[Lexus]] is using the fourth generation of [[Hybrid Synergy Drive]] from [[Toyota]]. Each generation surpasses the previous, making them faster and less expensive. The hybrid powertrain adds a mere 300 pounds to the vehicle’s curb weight, making it an impressive engineering acheivement, since the majority of this weight is mounted low in the vehicle. To manage the additional weight, [[Lexus]] made the chassis of the RX more chiseled. The [[Lexus]] RX, [[Lexus ES 350]], [[Toyota Comry]], and [[Toyota Highlander]] are all built on the same platform with slight modifications between the sedans and the SUVs.

	~~The RX 400h uses~~ the fourth generation of ~~Toyota's hybrid system, which it calls~~ [[Hybrid Synergy Drive]], ~~and each generation has been~~ faster and less expensive ~~than the previous. Three electric motors draw on 30 modules of nickel metal-hydride (Ni-MH) batteries~~. ~~Clever engineering has resulted in efficient packaging of the batteries, which are split into three groups housed largely under the rear seats.~~

	The hybrid powertrain adds ~~just~~ 300 pounds to the curb ~~weight. That's not an insignificant amount of~~ weight, ~~but~~ it's an impressive engineering ~~achievement~~, ~~and most~~ of ~~the~~ weight is mounted low in the vehicle. Lexus ~~increased~~ the ~~rigidity~~ of the ~~chassis to manage the additional mass~~. The Lexus RX and [[Toyota Highlander]] ~~models~~ are built on the same platform (with modifications~~) as~~ the ~~[[Toyota Camry]]~~ and ~~[[Lexus ES 330]] sedans~~.

	====Interior====		====Interior====

PNiddy at 00:03, 10 June 2006

2006-06-10T00:03:39Z

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	==See also==		==See also==

	~~[[Category:Toyota vehicles\|Harrier]]~~
	~~[[Category:Crossover SUVs]]~~
	~~[[Category:Luxury vehicles]]~~
	~~[[Category:Front wheel drive vehicles]]~~
	~~[[Category:All wheel drive vehicles]]~~
	~~[[Category:1990s automobiles]]~~
	~~[[Category:2000s automobiles]]~~


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	\|colspan=2 bgcolor=#C0C0C0 \|[[Lexus LF\|LF]]		\|colspan=2 bgcolor=#C0C0C0 \|[[Lexus LF\|LF]]
	\|}<noinclude>		\|}<noinclude>
	~~[[Category:Automotive timeline templates\|{{PAGENAME}}]]</noinclude>~~


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	===External Links===		===External Links===
	[http://www.lexus.com Official Lexus Website]		[http://www.lexus.com Official Lexus Website]

PNiddy: /* Awards */

2006-06-10T00:02:04Z

Awards

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	==Awards==		==Awards==
	- The 1998 RX 300 was awarded the ''Most Appealing Luxury SUV'' by '''J.D. Power and Associates''' back in 1998 and then again in 2004 for the 2004 RX 330.		* The 1998 RX 300 was awarded the ''Most Appealing Luxury SUV'' by '''J.D. Power and Associates''' back in 1998 and then again in 2004 for the 2004 RX 330.

	- The RX 300 was '''MotorTrend''' magazine's ''Sport Utility of the Year'' for 1999.		* The RX 300 was '''MotorTrend''' magazine's ''Sport Utility of the Year'' for 1999.

	- The 1999 RX 300 was awarded the ''Best Deal on the Road'' in the Sport-Utility Class by '''Money''' magazine.		* The 1999 RX 300 was awarded the ''Best Deal on the Road'' in the Sport-Utility Class by '''Money''' magazine.

	- The 2001 RX 300 was awarded the ''Best Luxury SUV in Initial Quality (IQS)'' by '''J.D. Power and Associates''' in May 2001. They named the RX 330 the ''Highest Ranked Entry Luxury SUV in Initial Quality (IQS)'' in April 2004 and again in May 2005.		* The 2001 RX 300 was awarded the ''Best Luxury SUV in Initial Quality (IQS)'' by '''J.D. Power and Associates''' in May 2001. They named the RX 330 the ''Highest Ranked Entry Luxury SUV in Initial Quality (IQS)'' in April 2004 and again in May 2005.

	- Winner '''Australia's Best Luxury Four Wheel Drive''' in 2004 - Lexus RX 330		* Winner '''Australia's Best Luxury Four Wheel Drive''' in 2004 - Lexus RX 330

	- The 2004 RX 330 was awarded the ''Best SUV over $30,000'' by '''Intellichoice''' - May 2004.		* The 2004 RX 330 was awarded the ''Best SUV over $30,000'' by '''Intellichoice''' - May 2004.

	- "In the car world, that's a home run-out of the park." - Roger Hart of '''AutoWeek''' magazine , February 7, 2005 on the RX 400h		* "In the car world, that's a home run-out of the park." - Roger Hart of '''AutoWeek''' magazine , February 7, 2005 on the RX 400h

	- The RX 400h is "a litmus test that seems certain to produce positive results." - Liz Kim of '''AutoByTel.com'''		* The RX 400h is "a litmus test that seems certain to produce positive results." - Liz Kim of '''AutoByTel.com'''
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