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Walkaround
The Lexus RX was among the first to introduce a zoomy new design theme to the SUV market and this second-generation model builds on the style set by the original RX 300. The shape of the RX 330 is sharply defined by radically raked, body-colored pillars at all four corners of its cabin, with the window frames and posts blacked out to blend with the ovoid side-window opening. The RX 330's raked-back front fascia and headlamps are reminiscent of the Lexus ES 330 sedan.A beefy front bumper and pronounced fender flares are designed to suggest the RX is capable of venturing off the pavement. Door handles are of the reach-through type, more hand-friendly than the fingertip-grip variety and offering less opportunity to break long fingernails or snap away from your fingers when you're in a hurry. The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) uses an on-board processor that calculates the optimum angle to illuminate a turn, then swivels the headlamp closest to the turn accordingly, allowing the driver to see around corners better. AFS comes on all RX 330s with high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps. For 2006, Lexus has made these pricey headlamps harder to steal. The rear view of the RX 330 reveals a visor-like spoiler 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 also-included imbedded-in-glass type), and clear-lens taillamps. Like the Toyota Highlander, the RX 330 is built on the same platform (with modifications) as the Toyota Camry and Lexus ES 330 sedans.
Interior Features
The RX 330's cabin is luxurious and inviting. The optional leather is soft and slightly bunched. Splashes of real wood trim adorn the doors and center console.Getting in is easy, with no need to climb up or duck down. The front seats are positioned off the floor at a comfortable chair height and are snug and supportive. The seats are relatively flat, making it easy to get in and out. They adjust every which way, though not all of us can seem to get completely comfortable. 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 else you might stow between the front seats. The instrument panel has three large round gauges trimmed in silver. The center dash area is framed in metallic-looking plastic topped with a pair of air vents. The center stack is dominated by the available seven-inch display. This screen is used for climate control and trip computer functions, as well as displaying the outside temperature and clock (with alarm). It's also used by the optional navigation system and rear-view camera. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is shifted into reverse. You can't drive backward by watching the screen, but it's very useful for checking for obstacles (and people) that would otherwise be difficult to see from the driver's seat. Audio controls are at the bottom of the center stack. The radio has big knobs for volume and tuning that are easy to use. The Lexus premium audio is a 132-watt, eight-speaker system with AM/FM/cassette/CD. The optional Mark Levinson audio system features 11 speakers, 210 watts and an in-dash, 6-disc CD changer. The shifter for the automatic transmission is located on the center dash. This was novel when the RX series first appeared, and has been copied since. The shift lever follows a mechanical zigzag pattern to make sure you only move it one gear position at a time. We found this made shifting between reverse, drive, and the lower gears ponderous, particularly when we were in a hurry. The rear seat is contoured for two, though it has belts for three. Indeed, the RX is comfortable for four people, crowded with five. 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 providing a long, narrow space for skis, shovels, or fly rods, while still allowing four people to ride in comfort. This is a better solution than the typical 60/40 folding seats, which force one of four passengers to travel in the less-comfortable center-rear seat when carrying the aforementioned long items. Folding the rear seats down reveals 84.7 cubic feet of cargo space, more than a BMW X5, Mercedes ML350, or Infiniti FX. The rear seats don't fold completely flat, however. Cleverly hidden under the cargo floor are compartments for additional storage. The cargo cover automatically retracts when the rear hatch is opened, useful when your arms are full and you don't want to put things down on the wet pavement. The RX 330 bucks the SUV trend by offering no third-row seat. Lexus says buyers wanting more passenger space can buy one of the larger Lexus SUVs, the GX 470 or LX 470.
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