![]() The quiet interior is luxurious, with a good amount of storage areas. There are oversized outside door handles, but it calls for a little extra effort to get in and out. Occupants sit high, although driver rear vision is hurt by thick rear roof pillars and a rather narrow tailgate window. The new "RX'' is well equipped, although it offers many alluring, but often pricey, stand-alone options and option packages.įor example, there's an $1,840 rear-seat entertainment system, $2,350 navigation system with a rearview camera that gives the driver a look at out-of-view objects when backing up, and a $600 Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, which keeps the RX 330 a pre-set distance from vehicles ahead. Lexus says owners can use 87-octane fuel, but recommends 91 octane. It's a smooth operator, providing 230 horsepower and strong acceleration (0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds.)īut the new five-speed automatic transmission, which replaces a four-speed unit, often results in lazy engine response during full-throttle downshifts-making the RX 330 more suited for casual than sporty driving.Įstimated fuel economy is acceptable: 20 mpg in the city and 26 on highways with front drive, and 18 and 24 with all-wheel drive. The brake pedal has a reassuring feel, and standard anti-lock brakes do a good job with their brake-assist feature.īoth RX 330 versions have a standard Vehicle Stability Control system, which helps control loss of lateral traction while zipping through curves.Īs indicated by the "330'' designation, the new RX V-6 engine has been enlarged from 3 liters to 3.3 liters, with 10 more horspower and greater torque. The RX 330 still drives like a car-based "crossover'' sport-ute, with quick steering, a firm-but-supple ride and good handling, especially with an optional height-adjustable air suspension and larger tires. The more rigidly built new RX model looks bulkier-especially from the rear-and feels larger and heavier, although its exterior dimensions and weight haven't increased all that much. Cargo capacity has been increased 6.1 cubic feet. Weight is up about 140 pounds to 3,860 pounds for the front drive model and to 4,065 pounds for the all-wheel-drive version. The RX 330 also is 5.9 inches longer and 1.1 inches wider, while height has grown by nearly half an inch. The wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles) has grown 3.9 inches for more room and a smoother ride. The price rises to $36,425 for the version with a simpler, lighter all-wheel-drive system, which doesn't have low-range gearing for serious off-road driving. The front-drive model is priced at $35,025. The RX 330 is in good company because rivals include the Acura MDX, BMW X5 3.0i, new Chrysler Pacifica, Mercedes-Benz M-Class and new Volvo XC90.ĭespite major improvements, base prices of the RX 330 are slightly lower than those of its predecessor. That practice continues, with the RX 330 based on the platform of the smooth Lexus ES 300 sedan, which was revamped for 2002. The car-based RX 300 debuted in March 1998 with a 3-liter V-8 as a pioneer "crossover'' vehicle because it was built on a modified Lexus car platform (basic mechanical stuff under the body). Lexus had to be careful with this second-generation "RX'' because the RX 300 has been the top-selling Lexus since its first full year of production-and the best-selling model in its market segment. Lexus thus has increased the size, power, room and safety of its new RX 330 sport-utility, which is an early 2004 model. The front seats are positioned off the floor at a comfortable chair height and are snug and supportive and the back seats are roomy and comfortable.Buyers of luxury sport-utility vehicle are getting more demanding as the number of entries escalates in the luxury sport-ute market. It comes with a leather interior that feels soft and warm and inviting with splashes of real wood trim. The 2004 RX 330 is longer and wider than the model it replaces. As such, the RX 330 gives up some off-road ability but will do what most SUV buyers want: provide more cargo room than a sedan while conferring an over-the-traffic view and a sense of security from its elevated driving position. ![]() Lexus calls the RX 330 a luxury utility vehicle, and is bold enough to dub it an 'LUV.' The RX 330 falls into that category of SUV that is based on a unit-body car platform rather than a truck frame, and it could be called a crossover vehicle. ![]() ![]() (No one can.) Therefore, the RX 300 has been replaced by the all-new 2004 Lexus RX 330. But the RX 300 was introduced in 1998 and, with a growing number of challengers, Lexus can't afford to stand still. With the RX 300, Lexus has had the best-selling luxury SUV in not only America but the world.
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