Lexus is a company that adheres to a very old saying: “Don’t mess with success.” The 2013 Lexus RX 350 and its cohort, the Lexus RX 450h Hybrid, retain the same basic shape that the original Lexus RX 300 had when the series was introduced. Interestingly enough, some competitors such as the Audi Q5 and Lincoln MKX are quite similar in body shape. It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but it is more likely that the basic shape of the Lexus RX 350 is the most efficient!
Updates
For 2013, the Lexus RX 350 sports a grille with horizontal spindle components rather than the cascade style from previous years. In addition, the daytime running lights are now L-shaped with LEDs and there is also a redesigned front bumper. At the rear, tail lamps were redesigned to follow the arrowhead theme of the front lights. The last external difference on the 2013 Lexus RX 350 is that there are now several different wheel finishes available.
Interior
Changes you can’t see, but you can feel, fall into two main areas: Before you start to drive, you are going to notice the added feeling of plushness in the interior. From the door panels, armrests and seats to the way the centrally located mouse feels when you call up the various screens, you are going to be right at home within moments of adjusting the power seat in the 2013 Lexus RX 350.
My main complaint about the lack of complete power adjustment on the passenger side was taken care of a couple of years ago so the driver and front passenger can travel in equal comfort. The front seats provide good support for your entire body.
For those relegated to the second row in the 2013 Lexus RX 350, three adults will fit, but two are much more comfortable. Without a third person, the centre arm rest comes down with available drink holders, and 60/40 split folding rear seats can be reclined (somewhat) for added comfort.
Up front in the 2013 Lexus RX 350, the driver will need a couple of minutes to set the seat, properly place the steering wheel and position the external mirrors. Once that is done, follow the instructions in the owner’s manual and save the seat position to one of the three memory positions available.
Personalization of settings
Before you go for that first drive in the 2013 Lexus RX 350, you also need to set up the stereo, Bluetooth™ and the sat/nav system. Most of it is intuitively obvious to those who have used such systems previously; however, for the first timer it can be a bit daunting. Dig out the owner’s manual, follow the instructions and take your time. Once you’ve decided between your iPod, thumb drive or stereo, it's drive time.
Lexus engineers may not have thought of everything, but they have done a really good job to the point where the only issue I have with this system is that some functions that used to be controlled by buttons on the dash are now controlled by the mouse function, so to make changes you have to take your eyes off the road and look at the screen.
Driving
When you start up the Dual VVT-I DOHC V6 in the 2013 Lexus RX 350 it runs so smoothly that you'll hardly notice it purring along. With 275 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, acceleration up through the gears in the 6-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is quite brisk. When you reach your desired speed, the noise level drops and the interior is quiet enough on good pavement that you can hear the air rushing over the external mirrors.
Handling
When it comes to going around corners, you will notice a considerable difference in how the 2013 Lexus RX 350 behaves compared to previous generations. There is less body roll when you push a bit harder in a corner, and the nose doesn’t feel like it is going to fall over the outside front tire. Back off to get the nose back in line and the rear suspension doesn’t even twitch, much less give the feeling of becoming unsettled.
Highway cruising
Along straight stretches, the suspension in the 2013 Lexus RX 350 feels a bit firmer which to my mind provides a noticeable improvement in ride quality without sacrificing anything in the comfort department. The suspension does soak up small road imperfections such as tar strips, rod expansion joints and such. Larger issues, such as small potholes and lightly broken pavement can be felt, but not to the point of discomfort.
If you happen to come across one of the super holes likened to small swimming pools this spring, slow down because nothing can handle those holes with ease.
However, between the All Wheel Drive (AWD) system the 2013 Lexus RX 350 uses and the extra ground clearance of this near-luxury SUV, you will get through without much fuss.
It looks as if “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection” can also be done with style and grace in the 2013 Lexus RX 350.
Updates
For 2013, the Lexus RX 350 sports a grille with horizontal spindle components rather than the cascade style from previous years. In addition, the daytime running lights are now L-shaped with LEDs and there is also a redesigned front bumper. At the rear, tail lamps were redesigned to follow the arrowhead theme of the front lights. The last external difference on the 2013 Lexus RX 350 is that there are now several different wheel finishes available.
Interior
Changes you can’t see, but you can feel, fall into two main areas: Before you start to drive, you are going to notice the added feeling of plushness in the interior. From the door panels, armrests and seats to the way the centrally located mouse feels when you call up the various screens, you are going to be right at home within moments of adjusting the power seat in the 2013 Lexus RX 350.
My main complaint about the lack of complete power adjustment on the passenger side was taken care of a couple of years ago so the driver and front passenger can travel in equal comfort. The front seats provide good support for your entire body.
For those relegated to the second row in the 2013 Lexus RX 350, three adults will fit, but two are much more comfortable. Without a third person, the centre arm rest comes down with available drink holders, and 60/40 split folding rear seats can be reclined (somewhat) for added comfort.
Up front in the 2013 Lexus RX 350, the driver will need a couple of minutes to set the seat, properly place the steering wheel and position the external mirrors. Once that is done, follow the instructions in the owner’s manual and save the seat position to one of the three memory positions available.
Personalization of settings
Before you go for that first drive in the 2013 Lexus RX 350, you also need to set up the stereo, Bluetooth™ and the sat/nav system. Most of it is intuitively obvious to those who have used such systems previously; however, for the first timer it can be a bit daunting. Dig out the owner’s manual, follow the instructions and take your time. Once you’ve decided between your iPod, thumb drive or stereo, it's drive time.
Lexus engineers may not have thought of everything, but they have done a really good job to the point where the only issue I have with this system is that some functions that used to be controlled by buttons on the dash are now controlled by the mouse function, so to make changes you have to take your eyes off the road and look at the screen.
Driving
When you start up the Dual VVT-I DOHC V6 in the 2013 Lexus RX 350 it runs so smoothly that you'll hardly notice it purring along. With 275 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, acceleration up through the gears in the 6-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is quite brisk. When you reach your desired speed, the noise level drops and the interior is quiet enough on good pavement that you can hear the air rushing over the external mirrors.
Handling
When it comes to going around corners, you will notice a considerable difference in how the 2013 Lexus RX 350 behaves compared to previous generations. There is less body roll when you push a bit harder in a corner, and the nose doesn’t feel like it is going to fall over the outside front tire. Back off to get the nose back in line and the rear suspension doesn’t even twitch, much less give the feeling of becoming unsettled.
Highway cruising
Along straight stretches, the suspension in the 2013 Lexus RX 350 feels a bit firmer which to my mind provides a noticeable improvement in ride quality without sacrificing anything in the comfort department. The suspension does soak up small road imperfections such as tar strips, rod expansion joints and such. Larger issues, such as small potholes and lightly broken pavement can be felt, but not to the point of discomfort.
If you happen to come across one of the super holes likened to small swimming pools this spring, slow down because nothing can handle those holes with ease.
However, between the All Wheel Drive (AWD) system the 2013 Lexus RX 350 uses and the extra ground clearance of this near-luxury SUV, you will get through without much fuss.
It looks as if “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection” can also be done with style and grace in the 2013 Lexus RX 350.
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