2004 Lexus RX 330 Review (continued)
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Walkaround

Lexus RX 330 joins the trend of zoomier styling on crossover SUVs, notably the new Infiniti FX45. RX 330 is much sleeker than the RX 300, making the older model look really dated. Unlike the RX 300, which had a body-color C-pillar, the D-pillar is emphasized on the RX 330, and is more steeply raked. There's more rake to the windshield as well, and the front facia and headlamps are reminiscent of the Lexus ES 300 sedan.

Although there are definite car cues to the new design, Lexus designers have also included meatier elements, such as the beefy front bumper and pronounced fender flares. Well-designed door handles are of the reach-through type that are more hand-friendly than the fingertip-grip variety, less chance of breaking long fingernails.

A novel feature, something not seen on the U.S. market since the 1949 Tucker, is the Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS). This system swivels the left and right headlamp as determined by an onboard processor that calculates the optimum angle to provide the best illumination, allowing drivers to see around corners better. It's available only as part of the Performance Package.

A rear view of the RX 330 reveals a visor over the top edge of the rear window, a short radio antenna at the right rear corner of the roof (promising better reception in marginal areas than the imbedded-in-glass type), and clear-lensed taillamps. The latter are trendy with the sport compact kids; we think they should stay there, as these don't seem to be as visible, especially in bright sunlight, as the old-fogy red lenses.

The Lexus RX 330 competes with the Volvo XC90 ($33,350), Acura MDX ($34,900), Mercedes-Benz M-Class ($37,670), BMW X5 ($39,995), and Infiniti FX45 ($44,225), among others. The RX 330 utilizes a modified version of the platform used by the Lexus ES300 sedan, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Highlander sport-utility.

Interior Features

It doesn't take more than a glance inside to know the Lexus RX 330 is aimed at the luxury SUV market. Leather on the seats (on most models) is soft and slightly bunched, and there are splashes of real wood trim on the doors and center console. The instrument panel has three large round gauges trimmed in silver. The center dash area, or stack, is framed in metal-looking plastic.

Climate controls are located high on the center stack and to either side of an LCD screen used to control ventilation, audio, trip computer, outside temperature and clock (with alarm). The radio has a knobs for volume and tuning, much easier to use than the typical German system that has tuning buttons that default to a seek mode.

The screen is also used for the optional navigation system as well as the rear-view camera that comes with it. The camera works automatically when the transmission is shifted into reverse. We found it very useful to check for children or obstacles before backing up (but you don't watch the screen once you've started backing up). Big outside mirrors afford a good view rearward.

A novelty when the RX 300 was introduced, the shifter for the automatic transmission is still located on the center stack. Rather than the popular tip-shift for sportier rides, the RX 330's shifter has a zig-zag pattern for shifting between gears. We found it made shifting between reverse, drive and lower gears ponderous, particularly when in a hurry.

The front seats are positioned off the floor at a comfortable chair height and are snug and supportive. Foldable armrests on both front seats provide additional comfort on longer trips. The center console slides forward and back, allowing room for a purse or whatever on the floor between the front seats.

The back seats are roomy and comfortable. The rear seat is contoured for two, though it has belts for three. There's a folding center armrest with cupholders, storage and its own wood trim. The rear seats fold forward 40-20-40, the center section folding forward for longer items such as skis, shovels, and fly rods, while still allowing four people to ride in comfort. This is more comfortable than typical 60-40 folding seats, which force one of four passengers to travel in the less-comfortable center-rear seat when carrying aforementioned long items. Folding the rear seats down is fairly easy, though we found ourselves struggling to reach to the far side of the opposite seat to release it.

RX 330 bucks a current trend by having no third-row seat. Lexus says buyers wanting more passenger space can buy one of the larger two ( and more expensive) Lexus SUVs.

RX 330 is rated to carry 84.7 cubic feet of stuff. That's more cargo space than a Lincoln Aviator (77.1) or Infiniti FX35 (64.5) and certainly more than a BMW X5 (54.4) has to offer. But the RX 330's rear seats don't fold for a completely flat cargo floor. We found loading and unloading a mountain bike easier in a Mercury Mountaineer. The RX 330 adds two hidden compartments under the cargo floor for additional storage. The cargo cover has an automatic retract feature, which could be useful when your arms are full and you don't want to put things down on wet pavement.

In addition to the usual steering wheel and passenger multi-stage frontal airbags, the RX 330 has a knee bag for the driver. The side-impact airbags, standard, are large, protecting the torso, abdomen and hips.

Lexus Link is an optional system that summons aid, using satellite and cell phone technology, at the touch of a button or automatically with airbag deployment. Based on GM's OnStar system, Lexus Link can also pinpoint vehicle location for roadside assistance, or in case of theft. Operators can use the system to unlock the doors should you lock the keys inside.