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| The interior is beautifully finished, and you can watch DVDs on the front monitor when stationary. Yes, that's Angelina Jolie on the monitor. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
That's all the better to enjoy the RX 330's much improved cabin. It's hard to believe but Lexus has upped the quality levels yet again, while building on a similar but more refined design theme as the previous model. All switchgear is first class, with superior tactile quality and precise actuation. Even the standard audio system is quite amazing, booming out bass when called upon or more impressively, defining each sibilant nuance of a string quartet. But move up to the premium Mark Levinson system and all previous accolades are quickly forgotten, it's probably the best OEM car stereo ever produced.
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| The interior is beautifully finished, and you can watch DVDs on the front monitor when stationary. Yes, that's Angelina Jolie on the monitor. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Drivers will appreciate the RX 330's electroluminescent gauges that incrementally grow brighter or dimmer depending on chosen settings. Other more personal features include heated seat cushions that range from 30 to 42 degrees Celsius, a passenger's vanity mirror with offset lighting that doesn't blind the user, a forward and back sliding center console and auto up/down windows at all outside seating positions. Visibility is good too, even though its rear side windows have been reduced in size to accommodate the new styling.
That rakish rear end looks as though it should cut in on the RX 330's cargo capacity, but the opposite is actually true, replicated throughout the rest of the vehicle as well. This is mostly due to an overall larger SUV, 155 mm (6.1 in) longer, 28 mm (1.1 in) wider, and 10 mm (0.04 in) taller than last year's model. Its big increase in rear legroom is the direct result of a longer wheelbase, almost 100 mm (3.9 in) longer.