Inside Story: 2010 Lexus RX 350

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December 3, 2009

2010 Lexus RX. Click image to enlarge

The sliding centre armrest flips up, to reveal a removable flock-lined upper box. Note the slide tab to allow cable access for plug-in accessories. The inner cavity is also removable. Housed below it is the auxiliary audio input, and two 12-volt DC powerpoints, with additional storage space bordering on ‘smuggler.’ The locking glovebox specifies a compartment for the owner’s lit, and a big piece of lit it is. A valet switch for the rear power hatch is found on the left wall.

The Overhead

An auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror takes centre stage overhead. The upper controls pod houses a Homelink transmitter, map lighting, auto slide/tilt for the power moonroof, and an oversized sunglasses holder. Visors are backlit vanity equipped, and slide for sun blocking. Roof rails are attractively useless, until you spend the bread on dealer-installed accessories.

Seat Treat

Driver and front passenger seats receive full power glide, including lumbar, with three memory positions for the driver. Console mounted dials key in 3-step heating and cooling for the front seats. Rear seats can achieve an impressive recline, as well as move fore and aft for cargo.

Cargo Embargo

Not only is the RX boot a cavernous one, it’s big on security, with a retractable cargo cover, and soft extension panels to fill the void between the seats. Wall-mount levers topple the seatbacks, which are well versed in the ‘Art of Flat’. A 12-volt powerpoint is located on the left side of the cargo wall, with necessary cargo tie-downs and tether points throughout. The cargo floor has a tether system to hold it aloft, revealing a generous amount of hidden storage. Yet another storage gully is found beneath a panel on the passenger side of the cargo floor.

Spare Care

Non-rattle provisions exist for the jacking tools, located to the left of the temporary-use spare tire. Lexus will change that spare for you, during the first four years of ownership, with no mileage restrictions.

The Mill

The 275-horsepower 3.5-litre V6 isn’t as buried as you would expect. Removal of the trim panels reveals a powertrain with good access to key components. The RX 350 has fuel economy projections of 11.6 L/100 km city, and 8.2 L/100 km highway. I was able to muster 12.3 L/100 km as an average, with a heavy urban cycle, heavy on the Blundstone.

The Verdict

I’m torn; really, really torn. As much as the Infiniti FX is a fave, with its longitudinal mill mounts, aggressive poor-chap’s-Cayenne styling, and handling that won’t quit, the RX understands that people actually tend to use their SUV’s in their descriptive sense from time to time. Who better to ‘get it’ than the vehicle that spawned the segment. Even more impressive is the marriage of Lexus refinement and Toyota-esque practicality, without feeling Toyota-ish. A noble luxo steed.

Next week: Hyundai Elantra Touring

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