2012 Lexus RX350 Reviews

Lexus RX has been a huge success for the upmarket Japanese marque since its launch in Australia in April 2003. More a high riding station wagon than a 4WD it has mild to medium off-road ability in its AWD versions, though very few owners ever take advantage of it. The introduction of the fourth generation RX series in

...and what to watch for when you are buying it.Lexus cars are about comfort and refinement and the Lexus RX SUV leans very much in that direction and well away from the rugged off-road nature of its big brother the LandCruiser-based Lexus LX Series.The Lexus RX350 has significantly less ground clearance than the typical crossover. Which gives it road holding almost on par with that of a sedan or station wagon. While the Lexus RX350 does have all-wheel drive and can travel on dirt roads, forest trails and the like, taking it to the beach could leave it beached on its belly.Interior room is good for two adults and three junior travellers, but three adults in the back seats starts to stretch their friendship. It goes without saying that the choice of materials and the quality of fit and finish of cabin is immaculate in all models, and has been taken to even higher levels over the years. Boot space is reasonable considering the steep slope of the rear window, but most SUVs of this size give you more versatility when it comes to carrying boxy items. The rear seat has a handy 40/20/40 split to give you loading options.Australian buyers weren’t offered the chance to buy the first-generation Lexus RX300 as it was only sold in the USA. The second generation went on sale in this country in April 2003 as the RX330 (the numbers refer to the engine size in decilitres in most models, more about that later) and was a hit pretty well from the start.The third generation Lexus was introduced in February 2009 and, with a moderate facelift and the introduction of several new variants remains on sale today. The gen-three was virtually all-new, being longer and wider in the body than its predecessors and sitting on a longer wheelbase and wider track. The new model was designed to provide more interior space and even higher levels of interior comfort than before. It truly is a luxury wagon and the great majority of buyers use it that way.The twin-cam petrol engine V6 has a capacity of 3.0 litres in the 330 and 3.5 litres in the RX350. The third generation cars have noticeably lower fuel consumption without any loss of performance. The petrol engine was mated to a five-speed automatic transmission until the arrival of the all-new 2009 model saw it lifted to six-speed unit, which partly explains its lower fuel use.An interesting model is the petrol-electric hybrid RX. Sold since October 2006, it uses a 3.3-litre engine and an electric motor in combination. The hybrid’s model name breaks with convention by being tagged RX400h, that’s because Lexus reckons it has the performance that would be offered by a 4.0-litre petrol engine.A mid-life upgrade in July 2012 saw the introduction of an RX 2WD, four-cylinder model badged RX 270. Until then all RXs used 4WD and a V6 engine. The lighter weight of the 2WD model (which drives through the front wheels) means there is less loss in performance than you might expect. Naturally, it’s still a rarity on the used market but if you never plan any unsealed road driving its lower price may make it worth a wait.Lexus dealers are mainly in metropolitan areas of capital cities and major regional and country locations. Should you need work done in other areas some top Toyota mechanics have been trained in Lexus work. Service and repair costs are about average for an SUV in this upmarket class and we have heard of no real complaints about cost or availability of routine spare parts. Insurance charges don’t seem to vary significantly between major companies, but it may be worth shopping around.WHAT TO LOOK FORVery high build quality means that troubles are rare, but these are relatively complex machines and we highly recommend a professional inspection after you've completed yours to the best of your ability. If you find body damage indicating off-road use, a rarity, it’s most likely to be on the bumper corners, under the sill panels and in the form of scratches on the doors. Unless the price is right we suggest going for another RX instead.Look for a smoking exhaust on a high-mileage engine. It will be at its worst when the engine is worked hard. Check the automatic transmission is all but unnoticed in its actions unless you’re accelerating hard. Look over the interior and boot carefully because the RX is popular in the Mums’ taxi cohort.CAR BUYING TIPFaded paint on any vehicle, particularly those with strong colours, is likely to indicate it hasn’t been garaged very often. This can be hard on the interior as well as the body. 

Lexus swamps the cabin with technology - but makes it easy to understand. The problem with modern electronics is that the onion layers of technology can bring tears to your eyes.It's brilliant stuff and you'll feel justified in forking our lots of money for a car that has more thinking power than a university Arts freshman, but it can leave you crying in frustration.Understanding the complexity of a high-end car's features, and being able to master it, is proven a burden on the very people who fall into the “lots of money” category.That's where a 15-year-old grandchild - or a car that makes all the mumbo-jumbo so easy to figure out - comes in handy. With the Lexus, you don't need grandkids.VALUELexus - apparently a corruption of Luxury Exports to the US - aims itself at more long-standing prestige rivals and though there's similarity in concept, no competitor ladens models with so much eye-watering gadgets.On a value-for-money scale, Lexus wins. The features list is enormous and you don't have to fork out for the $93,900 Sports Luxury version here. Rather, look at the $77,400 Luxury model.If you have no need for driving exhilaration and intend only to stay within the city limits, even the four-cylinder RX270 - same stuff, different drivetrain, less money - makes sense.The intensity of the Sports Luxury tested here runs from Mark Levison 15-speaker surround sound, Head-Up display and virtual-camera navigation, to voice-command functions, a traffic management service and pre-collision technology.DESIGNThe basic 2011 wagon remains beneath restyled sheet metal and a bolder, spindle-shaped family grille. It's the grille that defines the 2012 model but look closer and there's new headlight with daytime running lamps. Inside is a cleaner look, some new trim, a redesigned centre console and a steering wheel that bears some relationship to the one in Lexus' neat LFA sports car.Whoopee. The central touch controller - virtually a computer mouse for left-handed drivers - is improved and though there's a lot of information beneath its button, it's logical and easy to use. The leather and wood-trimmed RX350 is generous in cabin space and the 40/20/40 split rear seat and electric tailgate are handy inclusions.TECHNOLOGYElectronics win the day here. The voice control means hands-free access to the phone, navigation and audio. Bluetooth has audio streaming and automatic phonebook transfer. There's live traffic alerts and congestion avoidance advice, USB back-up and transfer, hard-disc drive navigation and cockpit-view mapping that artificially positions the camera above and behind the vehicle.Mechanically, the body is stiffer (simply, 24 more spot welds) while the engine remains the Toyota-Lexus 3.5-litre V6 with 204kW/346Nm. The engine has quieter mounts and an electrically-operated induction system that alters the tube length to maximise torque. The drive system is part-time all-wheel drive, picking up the rear wheels when needed by engaging an electro-magnetic coupling in the rear differential housing. An AWD-Lock button maximises grip up to 40km/h.SAFETYLots of news here. The RX350 gets features including the radar cruise function within a pre-collision system, 10 airbags, the Lexus VDIM umbrella that comprises electronic stability and traction control, brake assist, co-operative steering and brakeforce distribution.The Sports Luxury adds the latest-generation head-up display (a digital speedo projected onto the windscreen), side monitor (to detect passing cars) and clearance and parking sensors. There's also a reverse camera with an overlaid guide, adaptive front lighting that turns into corners, and hill-assist.The spare tyre is a space-saver.DRIVINGI fear the words “electric-assist steering” as much as lying awake at night worrying about the bed bugs biting. But Lexus has played the game well. The steering feel is a bit gooey and vague at low speeds but feels almost positive when cruising.It's no Porsche but it's sensibly weighted for the Lexus type of owner. Power is adequate with the hallmark being on smoothness and quietness rather than acceleration. That said, pressed hard and the 2-plus tonne RX350 can surprise.Its handling is fine and though I'd like more feel in the steering, again it suits its market. SUVs and corners have rarely been best friends and the RX350 doesn't break the creed. Comfort is excellent and will beat many sedans hands down. Its features and its comfort make it an enjoyable wagon. But it's big and can be awkward to park.VERDICTBetter than before but though technically a smart car, begs the question that is it all too much for most buyers?Lexus RX350 Sports Luxury Price: $93,900 Warranty: 4 years/100,000km, roadside assistResale: 56 per centService Interval: 6 months/10,000kmSafety: 10 airbags, ABS, EBD, EBA, TCCrash rating: 5 starsEngine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol, 204kW/346NmTransmission: 6-speed auto; AWDThirst: 10.8L/100km; 95RON; 254g/km CO2Dimensions: 4.8m (L), 1.9m (W), 1.7m (H)Weight: 2085kgSpare: Space-saver