2009 Lexus RX 350

Review

If the Lexus RX 350 were a high school student, it would definitely be the ‘popular, pretty nerd.' You know? The kind of student

who might have quirky good looks but nevertheless lacks in the cool department due to extreme intelligence, a pleasant nature, and underneath the coke-bottle glasses, an elegance of sorts. The kind of student that also seems to have everything going their way, but still manages to be well rounded and liked by most. Oh to be a teenager again (especially with a cheap student car insurance policy). The Lexus, like its ‘popular, pretty nerd' persona, is extremely intelligent in the safety department, pleasant to drive in hectic road conditions, and underneath its eccentric looks, elegant and graceful.

It's not hard to see why the RX 350 continues to be an extremely popular luxury crossover. After all, there are four trim levels offered, allowing it to be tailored to anyone's tastes, starting at a competitive $37,700 for a front-wheel drive example, and $39,100 for all-wheel drive. A

fully loaded model, now dubbed "Pebble Beach", will set you back $46,455, not including dealer installed accessories like rear entertainment, satellite radio, etc. Incidentally, that Pebble Beach edition includes special badges, a new grille and a color-keyed spoiler and comes with either front- or all-wheel drivetrains, but other than this upgrade the 2009 RX 350 is mostly carryover from last year's crossover, a vehicle that only received a few minor changes from the 2007 model year. And when I say minor, I mean exactly that. Along with a slightly revised grille and chrome plated door handles, the differences are minimal. The most prominent change occurred under the hood the model year before that. Lexus said goodbye to the former 3.3-liter engine, and we're happy to say hello to the more powerful 3.5-liter, 24-valve, DOHC V6, which produces 270 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque.

Mated to a five-speed, super electronically controlled automatic transmission with overdrive and a lock-up torque converter, expect nothing but the best out of this engine. Its 270 horses are ready to gallop with the push of a pedal but aren't going to break the reins doing it. And while it's not the most energetic engine in its class, it provides ample get-up-and-go when necessary, especially when ascending hills.

As I mentioned, the RX drove like a dream. Whatever surfaces I traveled upon, whether paved, gravel, or just plain bumpy, it was deliciously smooth. Its smoothness can be attributed to its fully independent suspension, helped along thanks to a few tricks by Lexus' skilled engineers. First, all RX's can be had with a full-time, 4WD configuration, replacing the standard front-wheel drive setup, while Traction Control (TRAC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) are standard, giving it the ability to travel effectively on ‘just plain bumpy'

or gravel roads. It's also great for getting into those harder to reach spots, critical for weekend camping trips and hikes. My boyfriend and I decided to go for a hike in the woods one evening, but in order to get to the base of the mountain we needed to do a bit of off-roading. I'm not talking hardcore, rock crawling or anything so dramatic, but just a road that was a bit outside the usual straight and narrow, including some gravel stretches and some fairly steep terrain. The RX 350 had no problem getting us where we needed to go. Besides, if we had of gotten into a dill of a pickle its limited slip differential and integrated transfer case would more than likely created enough traction to see us out. Still, its 225/65R17 all season tires on 17-inch aluminum rims are more road biased than not.

Whatever

speed I was traveling at, city or highway, rain or shine, the RX didn't disappoint. I especially appreciated its drive quality at highway speeds and in the wet weather. And if inclement weather caused a slide that its stability control couldn't handle, the RX is equipped with some top notch safety features designed to save the day, starting with four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, EBD, and BA, and if all else fails, seven standard airbags.

Such thoughts aside, the cabin is oh-so-quiet, whether stuck in gridlock traffic or in a construction area with horns beeping left, right and center (sounds all too familiar), or when cranking the tunes on the highway. I loved the car's general ambience inside, and just how serene I felt even though the world around me appeared so hectic.

So, how did I achieve the serene feelings behind the wheel driving in rush hour traffic? Easy. The leather seating surfaces are plush and offered my back the necessary support to feel comfortable at all times. And the eight-speaker audio system with its in-dash 6-disc CD player was music to my ears, plus the overall cabin configuration didn't come across as congested even with the available DVD-based navigation system tucked into the dash, so I felt right at home. Furthermore, the craftsmanship of the RX 350's interior is divine. Included are sophisticated touches like a wood and leather wrapped steering wheel, a wooden shift knob, easy-to-read and easy-to-use large buttons and gauges, plus a tight-fitting and good-looking center instrument panel.

And speaking of the interior, the RX's cabin seems a lot bigger when sitting inside than when on the outside looking in. There is ample head, shoulder and legroom, and a total cargo volume of 38.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats. There's even enough legroom for the lucky person who gets stuck sitting behind

my 6'3” boyfriend. Whether it was filled with people, or cargo, or both, there's enough interior space to fit five adults comfortably. And much appreciated, when I had a full car of people and stuff, the backup camera assisted me with parallel parking.

Even with the SUV packed with people, fuel economy wasn't too bad. It uses an estimated 17 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway in all-wheel drive trim, with an extra mpg for each category if front-wheel drive is all that's needed. Furthermore, this ‘green' SUV is deemed an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV). Now if that's not ‘green' enough, Lexus offers a hybrid version with its RX 400h.

Where the RX lacks in comparison to its competition is its inability to host more than five guests. No 3rd row seating is incorporated, now a common with other crossover SUVs in this class. To some this may be a hindrance, but to others it won't matter one iota. Other than that, I had little to quibble about with the RX 350.

Overall, the Lexus RX 350 not only impressed me with its engine and suspension refinement but also by its ability to appeal to the senses, even with its quirky style. It encompasses the casual elegance that many buyers are looking for in this segment, with a bias towards safety. Yes, it's hard to go wrong with the RX.