For buyers who want total luxury and all-wheel drive

Author's Rating:

Pros: Best Navigation on the market, luxury, reliability, safety, features. Incredibly high resale.

Cons: No MP3 port, more power would make the package complete.

The Bottom Line: 
Full of luxury, not for budget conscious buyers.

Author's Review
What makes me a car guy? I have read almost every car magazine for the last 20 years. I have driven tons of different vehicles, and worked in the business in college. Cars are my passion!

Why did I pick the Rx330 for my wife? All-wheel drive, best navigation on the market, utility, luxury, reliability, and safety. My wife just moved to the area and drives 100 miles/day. All of the portable GPS solutions we tried were terrible compared to Lexus navigation. Car and Driver stated that this is the navigation that sets the benchmark in the industry. There is a small learning curve to becoming proficient in using the Nav, but it is well worth the effort. Imagine you are in the mood for Thai food. You can view all of the Thai restaurants in the area then hit the call button. The Bluetooth phone dials the restaurant and you can speak through the vehicle sound system. Although the Nav is voice activated, its easier to just use the keypad. The voice recognition will often misinterpret what you are saying. The screen has two distinct looks, one for daytime and one for night. Both are perfectly viewable at all times and there is never a glare. The screen is mounted high enough to where you won’t have to take your eyes completely off the road. Climate control is accessed through the screen but thank god that the audio controls are not. Who wants to have to go to the audio screen just to change the station?

So, who should buy this car? Buyers who want a spacious all-wheel drive vehicle and are willing to pay $10,000 extra for total luxury. You can get a Honda pilot with 3rd row seating and navigation for $10,000 less.

What is total luxury:
First having a Lexus, the dealership will cater to you like no other. Loaner cars, free pickup etc. When you go to the dealer, they have wi-fi, TV, comfortable seating and tons of drinks and snacks.

Adaptive front headlights, sure sounds like a gimmick, who needs lights to self level and pivot on turns. They are awesome. Drive on a road with curves and hills and its amazing how much more of the road you see.

While this is the smoothest riding sport ute you will find, others are not too far behind.

The electronically operated rear hatch is a great feature and we use it all the time, mostly out of laziness.

I particularly like the button to defrost the front windshield. You don’t have to fool with different temperature settings to clear the fog from the front windshield. Hit a button and 5-10 seconds later, crystal clear.

Automatic lights, self dimming mirrors, and rain sensing wipers reinforce your ability to be lazy (I think we call it luxury)

Rearview camera is awesome for tight parking, even at night.

A lot of ergonomics and little things like illuminated center console add to total luxury.

Handling is almost car like and you can drive it hard around turns. I have never felt a loss of control even during ridiculously hard driving. Like all Lexus vehicles, steering feedback is very poor, which means that the steering is very easy to turn regardless of speed. There is a button to disable traction control and stability control but it doesn’t seem to do much. It won’t let you completely disable these safety features. That being said, this is not a vehicle for spirited driving. It has just enough power at peak RPM to inspire some sense of sportiness. This is addressed in the RX350. Low end torque will be sufficient for anyone. Although it can tow 2500 lbs, a lot of reviews state the extended towing will lead to transmission problems. I would stick to jet skis instead of boats. You will also have to buy an aftermarket hitch if you want to tow.

The back seats are great for 2 or 3 adults. The seats will recline and slide. Very comfortable for backseat passengers. The cabin is sealed very tight and outside noise is kept to a minimum. We have been averaging 22 mpg with mixed driving. Dual climate control works awesome. 6-disc in dash stereo is sufficient with enough bass to satisfy entry level audiophiles. An mp3 port would have been nice, however there is a remedy. But a $5 cassette tape adapter, instead of a $50 FM transmitter. Yes, the RX comes with cd and cassette, and yes, the cassette adapter sounds clearer than the FM transmitter. Makes you wonder why $20,000 Toyotas have mp3 ports and Lexus does not? Very weird design….your lower and mid back will be in contact with the seat. From there, the top of the seat curves back. The top part of your back will not be in contact with the seat. I promise, I am not deformed.

You can spend $10,000 less on a Toyota highlander or Honda Pilot, however, I believe the difference is well justified in favor of the Lexus. I am currently trying to convince my wife to buy another vehicle so she'll give me the RX.