First, there was the luxury SUV. The market consisted of Navigators, Escalades, LXs and the like. These were popular when size and power were priorities, but they were big, thirsty, low on performance, and about as easy to park as a bus.
Before long, a flood of smaller, more nimble and less thirsty SUV-like machines arrived. They often defied being placed into a specific category, so the term 'crossover' was cooked up for all the schizophrenic four-wheel-drive misfits. Not long after the crossover was introduced, the luxury crossover was born.
The RX series, from Toyota's Lexus division, was one such luxury crossover. It was a sales success, and carried the brands promise of reliable performance and top-notch quality to the comfort-seeking masses. Lexus has an almost unbeatable reputation for long-term owner satisfaction and product quality, so the five-passenger RX crossover should prove a smart bet as a used luxury crossover purchase.
Depending on the year you're shopping in, you'll find the Canadian-built second generation RX labeled either RX 330 or RX 350.
In typical premium brand fashion, the numerical designation refers to engine displacement. In this case, it's 3.3 litres or 3.5 litres, respectively. The 3.3 litre V6 generated 230 horsepower, while the 3.5 delivered 270 when it came online during a late-cycle restyle for 2007. All wheel drive and a five-speed automatic completed the RX's powertrain.
The features list on the RX was a doozy, and Lexus packed it full of just about everything. Depending on the year and model you're shopping for, expect to find niceties like a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rear-seat DVD entertainment console and even satellite navigation. A CD changer, tire pressure monitoring, power adjustable driver's seat, auto-dimming mirrors and rain sensing wipers were on board as well. Look for several unique paint and interior trim options, as well as special-edition models if exclusivity is your thing. There's even a hybrid model called the RX400h.
Owners tend to rate comfort and style the most highly on their RXs, with space and driving dynamics following closely behind.
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| 2008 Lexus RX 350 |
Before long, a flood of smaller, more nimble and less thirsty SUV-like machines arrived. They often defied being placed into a specific category, so the term 'crossover' was cooked up for all the schizophrenic four-wheel-drive misfits. Not long after the crossover was introduced, the luxury crossover was born.
The RX series, from Toyota's Lexus division, was one such luxury crossover. It was a sales success, and carried the brands promise of reliable performance and top-notch quality to the comfort-seeking masses. Lexus has an almost unbeatable reputation for long-term owner satisfaction and product quality, so the five-passenger RX crossover should prove a smart bet as a used luxury crossover purchase.
Depending on the year you're shopping in, you'll find the Canadian-built second generation RX labeled either RX 330 or RX 350.
In typical premium brand fashion, the numerical designation refers to engine displacement. In this case, it's 3.3 litres or 3.5 litres, respectively. The 3.3 litre V6 generated 230 horsepower, while the 3.5 delivered 270 when it came online during a late-cycle restyle for 2007. All wheel drive and a five-speed automatic completed the RX's powertrain.
The features list on the RX was a doozy, and Lexus packed it full of just about everything. Depending on the year and model you're shopping for, expect to find niceties like a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rear-seat DVD entertainment console and even satellite navigation. A CD changer, tire pressure monitoring, power adjustable driver's seat, auto-dimming mirrors and rain sensing wipers were on board as well. Look for several unique paint and interior trim options, as well as special-edition models if exclusivity is your thing. There's even a hybrid model called the RX400h.
Owners tend to rate comfort and style the most highly on their RXs, with space and driving dynamics following closely behind.
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| 2005 Lexus RX 400h |