Author Topic: 2007 Lexus RX350 (Read 6445 times)

Benhaze · « **on:** February 04, 2006, 10:48:07 am »

I came across a Lexus RX advertisement while reading my Road and Track magazine. I didn't make anything of it until I noticed it was for the RX...350! Just like that, without a hint at the Detroit Auto Show a couple of weeks ago, and without any official press releases, Lexus is introducing a new engine in the most sold SUV in NA. There is also no mention of the RX350 on neither the US nor Canadian websites.

Engine is rated 270HP, no doubt is the same as the Avalon, RAV4...

We could all this coming as it addresses one of the few shortcomings of the RX330 with so many competitors offering more power. The RX350 will probably be able to keep up with a FX35 until the first curve comes around!

Shnak · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2006, 10:03:59 am »

makes sense... they wouldn't want the RAV4 to be more powerful than the RX which costs twice the price of the RAV4...

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2006, 12:34:16 pm »

It's being unveiled in Chicago on Thursday I believe, along with the Tundra.

Benhaze · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2006, 05:29:41 pm »

And I just saw it is also "expected" in Toronto later this week.

JSCC · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2006, 05:54:39 pm »

More power, more power!

Just what everyone needs!

By the way the 2007 Touareg V6 will be upgraded to 3.6L and 280HP. (same as the Passat V6).
And the 2007 Touareg V8 4.2L @ 340HP just 10HP shy compared to the Audi Q7.
I guess they are doing that on purpose.

I have yet sold 1 Touareg (new/used) to a customer yet. $:-\$

Benhaze · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2006, 09:36:19 pm »

Unfortunately, I think Touaregs are too expansive for many customers as history as shown with the Passat W8 and Phaeton (in North America). The Touareg is way too heavy for the current V6 and it must be a heck of a dog...

Maybe your fortune is about to change with the new engine and if VW can improve its reputation for reliability with its latest products.

Good luck!

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2006, 03:40:44 pm »

I think Touaregs are pretty good on the used market. If I were your dealer, I'd be bringing in some late '04/'05 pre-owned/auction/VCI cars.

VW should have lowered the cost of the V6 to $49,9, instead of $50-. And they had better not creap up the pricing once the VR6 arrives soon! But it will be hard to with the Q7 around now.

I don't know anything about the RX 350, but I know pricing will be going up from $50,500 in '06MY to $51,550 in '07MY. Sunroof pkg stays the same, but the other packages actually DECREASE in cost by some $800 - $1,500, so you're getting a larger engine at the same or less cost than last year (unless you wanted a base or roof-only model)!

Benhaze · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2006, 05:45:48 pm »

Too bad Lexus doesn't offer the 6-CD changer as a stand-alone option. Every other vehicle in this price class offers a 6-CD changer standard or as an option that doesn't cost $6,000...

hondasalesguy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2006, 07:01:49 am »

A friend was looking at an RX330 the other day, I don't think they are changing anything but the engine in the RX350. I noticed that althought the interior was generally nice, they still have that tacky Toyota cruise control stub that sticks out on the right side of the steering wheel, instead of being integrated into the wheel itself, it looks like an aftermarket add-on. Also the volume and tuning knob on the stereo are so cheap and flimsy they feel like you could rip them off the 1st day of ownership. An odd seat heater button as well, it is a little teen tiny dial, kind of like on stereos back in the 90s where you are almost having to make your thumb and forefinger meet just to grip it. They need to address some of these cheap ergonomic shortcomings if they want to differentiate this vehicle from the Highlander. But it doesn't seem to be hurting them, the RX is the top selling luxury ute I have read. The aditional power is a must, that 3.3 feels a bit anemic.

mdxtasy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2006, 09:18:42 am »

I found the RX330 to be very adequate power wise. When we drove it, the car was very good on pick up and was buttery smooth. The introduction of the 3.5L into the RX is probably due to the RAV getting 260hp. Can't have your $50K SUV pushing less power than the $30K cute ute.

The ergonomics are a bit weird like HSG says, the heated seat controls were odd but provided infinite heat settings. I've got HI/LO in the MDX and BMW.

Benhaze · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2006, 11:16:56 am »

HSG point proves someone will always find something to criticize, and I admit I'm the first guilty one to do so. However, I find the RX interior to be absolutely outstanding and in a completely different league than any other SUV in its class except for the new ML series. I spent a lot of time comparing the interior of vehicles during the Detroit Auto show and it was pretty obvious. But vehicles will always have ergonomic quirks for some users. I personally would love to have a control dial for heated seats even if they are finicky to adjust.

The new RX350 torque rating is adequate at 250 lb.-ft but doesn't give it an edge. Though the RX has never been about outperforming the competition. RX350 has better noise insulation and revised safety systems though I couldn't find any details on that other than a new tire pressure monitoring system.

The finance rate for the RX350 is 6.8% vs. 3.9% for the RX330. The RX330 rate decreases .1% for each $1000 down payments so there is some incentives to move the 2006s.

hondasalesguy · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2006, 08:54:28 pm »

benhaze i wasn't too harsh on that vehicle. People who have seen the interior trim on the Highlander will tell you that the RX shares lots of switchgear, etc. And Toyota has never been known for the super elegance of their interiors, they tend to look a little on the austere side. Well built yes, but fall in love with gorgeous no. And before you jump down my throat, I know Hondas style isn't always ahead of the curve, but most would agree that our interiors look a llittle richer than Toyotas do.

The RX is better built than probably any other $50K SUV, it just has a few cheap touches that drop it down a few notches IMO.

But I also had a peek at the IS250 and that wa a gorgeous car. You can tell it is not a rebadged and upgraded Toyota, but a stand alone Lexus product. I am 5'11" and I could actually fit pretty well in the back seat, a little more under seat legroom would have made it completely comfy...

Benhaze · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2006, 07:01:43 am »

HSG,

No jumping... I always like Honda/Acura interiors very much, more than Toyota's. I think the only Honda interior I don't like is the Ridgeline because it looks very cheap.

hondasalesguy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2006, 09:16:42 am »

Honda intentionally went for an interior that was similar to North American trucks (light switch on the dash to the left of the steering wheel instead of on the stalk, combined wipers/turn signals on the left stalk). Also the jumbo speedometer differentiates it from our cars. We didn't want people to say that the Rigeline looked like an Odyssey or Accord on the inside.

But I don't disagree, the Ridgeline interior does look kind of spartan.

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2006, 07:49:19 pm »

Although generally Honda is doing well for interiors these days, I'm actually a very big fan of the Lexus RX. The interior is one of the best I have seen overall (nice looking wood, layout, practical space - conversely I've not been a fan of the Highlander's dash), and versus the previous generation they corrected all the negative areas I saw. It is right sized, great for families and notably females to drive confidently, is distrintive, has the right features, powerplant, and reasonable pricing.

In this segment, it would be hard for me to pick anything other than the RX becuase it does EVERYthing so well, with high reliability as icing on the cake.

From what I've heard, the engine and also extra sound insulation/acustic improvements are the changes.

Benhaze · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2006, 10:32:29 pm »

Actually I noticed the cd changer is now part of the standard equipment. Sounds like Lexus heard my bit...

And I agree 100% with you sirAQUA... Too bad the air suspension offered in US isn't available here. US reviews highly recommend it.

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2006, 11:28:22 am »

Quote from: Benhaze on February 23, 2006, 10:32:29 pm

Actually I noticed the cd changer is now part of the standard equipment. Sounds like Lexus heard my bit...

There ya go

hondasalesguy · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2006, 02:08:24 pm »

doesn't ANYONE else out there find the cruise control and seat heater switches in the RX to be very CHEESY looking??? and try adjusting the volume. That plastic dial feels like it is worth about 55 cents.

Other than that it is a hell of a vehicle. But when you are spending $50K pre tax you expect near perfection IMO...

mdxtasy · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2006, 02:13:21 pm »

No such thing as perfection....especially not to everybody. People who are in a position to purchase the Lexus don't think it's that bad, the thing sells pretty well. It's a good vehicle....minor quirks and such, but no car is without those things.

Benhaze · « **Reply #19 on:** February 26, 2006, 12:34:48 am »

Good luck explaining Lexus marketing strategy. I guess it is nice to be #1 luxury SUV seller, but why wouldn't you clearly advertise all the improvement you made to your top seller to make it even better?

There is more to the new engine, though several improvements will be enjoyed by the few who ditch north of $64K for their new RX350. The Mark Levinson audio system is now a DVD/CD changer with DVD-audio and DVD-video (?) system with 210W at .1%THD, 20-20K Hz. The rear DVD screen grows to 9" from the current 7". The Navigation screen has now a 800X400 pixels with 32K colors, up from the current 400X240 pixels with 256 colors. Nav system is also now available in Spanish.

But the most interesting change is with the AWD system that now uses a viscous central limited slip differential. Interesting because the Lexus marketing was advertising the RX330 AWD system without a LSD as an advantage over the other systems using one. I believe it is also a return to its sources as the RX300 had one too. So it is really for better performance or to save costs? Who knows... I know I prefer having a viscous coupling myself so I'm saying

The cabin noise level is minimized by an acoustic windshield and additional sound insulation placed in the door panels, instrument panels and floor mats. The tire pressure Monitoring system is now a direct type vs. the previous indirect type.

So the RX350 buyer is getting all the above, on top getting to 60 mph .5 sec faster than the RX330 owner while getting better fuel economy. Not bad!

Author Topic: 2007 Lexus RX350 (Read 6445 times)

mdxtasy

mdxtasy