The Lexus RX 330 is notable for its smooth ride. It glides over broken, potholed pavement. Its steering is light and accurate and it feels poised when cornering. Its fully independent suspension helps keep the tires in contact with the pavement for lots of grip.The 3.3-liter V6 engine is smooth and quite responsive around town. It's rated at 230 horsepower, but more important is its torque, that force that propels you from intersections and up hills. The V6 delivers 242 pound-feet of torque at a relatively low 3600 rpm, giving the engine strong response at all speeds.
The RX 330 also benefits from a five-speed automatic transmission. Its low first gear offers quicker response off the line, useful when you need to merge into traffic from a standing start. The all-wheel drive RX 330 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and run a standing-start quarter-mile in 16.0, according to Lexus. Fifth gear, meanwhile, provides lower engine speeds when cruising, which translates into quieter running with less engine noise and better gas mileage. The RX 330 AWD hasan EPA-estimated 18/24 mpg City/Highway rating.
The RX is relatively immune to road noise, there's very little wind noise, even when equipped with a roof rack, a device notorious for loudly battering the passing air. Lexus engineers took the time to aerodynamically shape the RX 330's roof rack for quieter running.
The brakes are smooth and respond with good feel. The brakes feature large discs front and rear and electronic brake force distribution (EBD), which directs braking effort in proportion to weight bias and brake loading for improved control under hard braking. The RX 330 also has advanced four-sensor/four-channel anti-lock brakes (ABS), which can help the driver maintain steering control in an emergency stopping situation. Brake Assist is also provided, which is designed to sense panic braking and to fully apply braking pressure, even if the driver makes the common mistake of relaxing pressure on the brake pedal when the pulsing of the ABS is felt.
The all-wheel-drive system dispenses with the locking center differential and viscous couplings of truck-style 4x4 applications, in favor of a system that uses the ABS to slow any wheel that slips and spins. The system automatically routes power to the wheels with the best grip.
The Performance Package features an air suspension with four driver-selectable settings. The air suspension automatically lowers the RX 330 by 0.3 inches at speeds over 62 mph, to reduce air drag for better handling and fuel economy. Drivers can select a mode that lowers the car by 0.6 inches for better cornering and a smoother ride. Rough roads and unpaved trails requiring greater ground clearance can be accommodated by the High position, which raises the ride height by 1.2 inches at speeds up to 30 mph. An Access mode lowers the RX 330 for easier entry and exit when in Park; the Access mode can be programmed to lower the RX automatically when the ignition is turned off.
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