Lexus RX 2006 review

The Japanese luxury brand is also doing well with the second-generation IS sedan it is using to attack the benchmark 3-Series from BMW.

It has lifted sales from 2232 to 2849 vehicles in a year-to-date comparison to the end of May.

It is also hammering hard with a string of petrol-electric hybrids.

We have already seen the GS450h hybrid sports sedan and there will be an LS600h flagship before the end of the year to set the high-water mark.

Lexus also has a hybrid RX all-wheel-drive coming in October, building from the update earlier this year to its luxury RX350.

We decided to spend some time in the updated RX, a regular petrol version, before the hybrid model arrives.

The RX350 is a significant and worthwhile improvement for the RX. It goes a little harder, is a little greener, has more equipment and comes with a funky and useful rear-view camera that even dictates bump-free parking.

The dashboard display can be used to play DVDs while the car is parked, which takes the misery out of waiting for trains, buses, planes or the school bell.

The RX also has an active light system that points around corners and, typically for the class, Bluetooth phone connection.

Lexus believes the latest changes to the RX give it extra ammunition to fire at the Mercedes ML and BMW X5 it targets as its prime rivals, even though sales this year are down.

"That is mainly because of the runout of the RX330. We got no supplies in January," head of Lexus Australia Scott Grant says. "We're selling at about the same rate as last year.

"We have to fight for supply because the car is still in demand internationally. It's somewhere between 200 and 300 cars a month -- pretty good for us."

The RX is similar to the rest of the Lexus family because there is only one mechanical package and two grades of luxury gear.

The 350 has an updated 3.5-litre V6 with 18 per cent more power and 4 per cent more torque than the previous model. It is claimed to be the most powerful six-cylinder AWD in its class, with 203kW.

It has permanent AWD and a five-speed auto gearbox, with touch-change manual shift, fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.

Safety also means a full set of front and side-curtain airbags, and even the basic RX gets everything from automatic aircon to a sunroof and CD sound.

The RX is still only a five-seater. There are no plans for a seven-seater, but Grant says that is fine with buyers.

"They are happy with five seats. They are mostly families with a couple of kids and are fairly active. They do light off-road driving to the snow or the beach and maybe some camping."

"It is fairly standard middle Australia, but maybe with a bit more income."

The RX is similar to a lot of the new AWD wagons, including the Ford Territory now dominating the business in Australia.

But the Lexus is a lot more car-like than most of its rivals, and that has helped it to resist the slump in the class.

There are signs some customers are coming back to the heavyweight 4WDs, with Toyota LandCruiser sales lifting in June, but the business is still tough.

ON THE ROAD

The RX has always been an AWD favourite with the CARSguide team, but not because it can do LandCruiser-style expedition work.

It is a nice city drive that is also great for weekend getaways.

It is more like a high-rider car than most of its luxury AWD rivals, and that includes the BMW X5 and Mercedes ML.

Some people believe it is too soft, or too gentle, but it works for most day-to-day tripping and has enough grip and go for easy weekend work.

The 350 is the same, but better, than the previous RX and the extra power from the larger engine is welcome.

Other changes are relatively minor, but worth checking against the Nissan Murano, which we believe is the RX's real rival.

Owners might like to brag about the strength of their RX against an M5 or X5, but the dollar deal says the Murano is a realistic choice with a $25,000 price break. Honda also has its

MD-X lurking in the background.

The latest RX is noticeably quicker than before, as you would expect with an 18 per cent power hike, but still just as refined.

The engine is great for overtaking, and responds well when you move to the manual change in the five-speed. It is as smooth as an auto, but more fun if you take total control.

Fuel economy is good at 11.2 litres/100km, a figure that drops a lot when freeway cruising.

The suspension is still a bit soft for our taste, and not as responsive to the wheel as an X5, but rides smoothly. It gets around corners well enough, but is not a sports car.

The cabin is as well finished as that in any Lexus, and we like the rear-view camera. It's not just a nappy for nervous parents who worry about children in the driveway, but gives a real parking benefit with lines on the screen that show where the RX is going and how much clearance you have to the surrounding scenery.

The DVD player is also great, and we spent a lazy half-hour watching music videos while waiting for a friend to complete their shopping.

The headlamps are good but not great.

The RX is easy to manoeuvre, very quiet inside and there are enough toys to keep anyone occupied.

It is typical Lexus stuff, doing the basics well, but adding plenty of icing.

That is what gives it an advantage over the Murano, which is just as nice to drive but not nearly as well finished.

The Nissan has a big price advantage, and is bigger inside, but the Lexus is a nicer car and creates a nicer world.

It is also softer and more female-friendly than an X5 or ML, though Lexus -- despite the hybrid hype -- still does not have the bragging rights of the German brands.

So it's more of the same, but better, with the promise of the RX400h to add some hybrid impact before the end of the year.

THE BOTTOM LINE
A cruisy AWD for families who like to ride high but really just want a luxury wagon.
81/100