Sometimes when an automaker chooses a revolutionary approach to creating the next generation of a vehicle they produce an amazing success, like the current Cadillac CTS. Sometimes they wind up with a dud, like the previous generation BMW 7 Series.
FAST FACTS
1. The 2010 RX350 is priced from $36,800 for the front-drive model and $38,200 ($46,900 CDN) for AWD.
2. Thanks to the addition of a six-speed transmission, fuel economy is up from 18/23 to 18/25 mpg (city/hwy) for the front-drive model and from 17/22 to 18/24 mpg (city/hwy) in the AWD model.
3. In case of an accident the RX has 10 airbags.
1. The 2010 RX350 is priced from $36,800 for the front-drive model and $38,200 ($46,900 CDN) for AWD.
2. Thanks to the addition of a six-speed transmission, fuel economy is up from 18/23 to 18/25 mpg (city/hwy) for the front-drive model and from 17/22 to 18/24 mpg (city/hwy) in the AWD model.
3. In case of an accident the RX has 10 airbags.
And for that reason (as well as a long list of financial ones) many automakers choose the evolutionary, “if it aint broke,” approach.
The “all-new” 2010 Lexus RX falls into the later category. In fact, the Porsche 911 might be the only vehicle that’s changed less over time.
The reason why Lexus isn’t interested in change is because its customers love the RX350 dearly. With over one million units sold, the “luxury utility vehicle” is easily the number one seller in a segment that it started back in 1998.
The RX’s popularity as a middle-class status symbol even rivals that of the BMW 3 Series, which is no surprise really. SUVs have a high-dollar value mystique about them, meaning that if the purpose of your vehicle is to communicate your wealth, then an SUV will almost always do the job better than a sedan. And when the $36,800 cost to own an RX350 is just $300 more than a BMW 328i, the decision becomes an easy one.
SLOW EVOLUTION OR A LACK OF PROGRESS?
Slow change is part of Toyota’s philosophy and while it has helped the RX, it has also hindered it somewhat. What proponents call evolution, critics might call a lack of progress. Both are evident in the 2010 RX350.
For starters, there’s the name. It’s the same name Lexus has been using since 2007, due to the fact that three years ago the RX got a mid-cycle update including a larger 3.5-liter V6 over the RX330’s old 3.3-liter V6.
It’s difficult to sell people on a new car when it has the exact same name as the old car. Making that challenge even more difficult is the fact that it looks almost identical too.
The “all-new” 2010 Lexus RX falls into the later category. In fact, the Porsche 911 might be the only vehicle that’s changed less over time.
The reason why Lexus isn’t interested in change is because its customers love the RX350 dearly. With over one million units sold, the “luxury utility vehicle” is easily the number one seller in a segment that it started back in 1998.
The RX’s popularity as a middle-class status symbol even rivals that of the BMW 3 Series, which is no surprise really. SUVs have a high-dollar value mystique about them, meaning that if the purpose of your vehicle is to communicate your wealth, then an SUV will almost always do the job better than a sedan. And when the $36,800 cost to own an RX350 is just $300 more than a BMW 328i, the decision becomes an easy one.
SLOW EVOLUTION OR A LACK OF PROGRESS?
Slow change is part of Toyota’s philosophy and while it has helped the RX, it has also hindered it somewhat. What proponents call evolution, critics might call a lack of progress. Both are evident in the 2010 RX350.
For starters, there’s the name. It’s the same name Lexus has been using since 2007, due to the fact that three years ago the RX got a mid-cycle update including a larger 3.5-liter V6 over the RX330’s old 3.3-liter V6.
It’s difficult to sell people on a new car when it has the exact same name as the old car. Making that challenge even more difficult is the fact that it looks almost identical too.
GENERALLY SPEAKING: IT’S THE SAME OLD SHEETMETAL
Not including those who work in a Lexus design studio, it would be hard to find someone who could point out the new 2010 model from last year’s design. Sure there are a few tweaks and a few harder edges have been added, but mostly this looks like a mid-cycle refresh and not an all new car.
The general shape of the vehicle continues to be modern enough, although it does seem to finally be showing its age after 12 years on the market.
Chrome details like on the roof rack, side skirts and window surrounds help keep things modern and give a touch of class, as does the paint. A quality paint job goes a long way to distinguish a brand as a true premium entity and Lexus is an automaker that knows this well. We especially liked the unconventional-for-a-Lexus Cerulean Blue Metallic paint on our tester.
What would further help the RX look more premium, more modern and more sporty would be a more exciting set of rims, available in even larger sizes.
NEW SIX-SPEED TRANSMISSION HELPS IMPROVE FUEL ECONOMY ON OLD V6
As the RX gets its alphanumeric designation based on its engine, the lack of a name change indicates the absence of a new powerplant. Technically speaking, the 3.5-liter V6 has gained five horsepower for a total of 275hp at 6200 rpm. Torque has also been increased 5 ft-lbs to 256, and comes on full at 2300 rpm, as opposed to 4100 rpm in the old model.
More significant powertrain changes come with the 2010 transmission and AWD system. New this year is a six-speed auto-box, which replaces the five-speed unit. It also gets a manual-shifting option – although we’d like to see paddle shifters too. As for the AWD system, it has been redesigned and now weights 35 lbs less, while reducing drivetrain loss by 30 percent.
When combined, fuel economy is up with front-drive models getting 18/25 mpg (city/highway) and AWD versions 18/24. This is a noticeable improvement from last year’s 18/23 and 17/22 ratings.
GENERALLY SPEAKING: IT’S THE SAME OLD SHEETMETAL
Not including those who work in a Lexus design studio, it would be hard to find someone who could point out the new 2010 model from last year’s design. Sure there are a few tweaks and a few harder edges have been added, but mostly this looks like a mid-cycle refresh and not an all new car.
The general shape of the vehicle continues to be modern enough, although it does seem to finally be showing its age after 12 years on the market.
Chrome details like on the roof rack, side skirts and window surrounds help keep things modern and give a touch of class, as does the paint. A quality paint job goes a long way to distinguish a brand as a true premium entity and Lexus is an automaker that knows this well. We especially liked the unconventional-for-a-Lexus Cerulean Blue Metallic paint on our tester.
What would further help the RX look more premium, more modern and more sporty would be a more exciting set of rims, available in even larger sizes.
NEW SIX-SPEED TRANSMISSION HELPS IMPROVE FUEL ECONOMY ON OLD V6
As the RX gets its alphanumeric designation based on its engine, the lack of a name change indicates the absence of a new powerplant. Technically speaking, the 3.5-liter V6 has gained five horsepower for a total of 275hp at 6200 rpm. Torque has also been increased 5 ft-lbs to 256, and comes on full at 2300 rpm, as opposed to 4100 rpm in the old model.
More significant powertrain changes come with the 2010 transmission and AWD system. New this year is a six-speed auto-box, which replaces the five-speed unit. It also gets a manual-shifting option – although we’d like to see paddle shifters too. As for the AWD system, it has been redesigned and now weights 35 lbs less, while reducing drivetrain loss by 30 percent.
When combined, fuel economy is up with front-drive models getting 18/25 mpg (city/highway) and AWD versions 18/24. This is a noticeable improvement from last year’s 18/23 and 17/22 ratings.
Not including those who work in a Lexus design studio, it would be hard to find someone who could point out the new 2010 model from last year’s design. Sure there are a few tweaks and a few harder edges have been added, but mostly this looks like a mid-cycle refresh and not an all new car.
The general shape of the vehicle continues to be modern enough, although it does seem to finally be showing its age after 12 years on the market.
Chrome details like on the roof rack, side skirts and window surrounds help keep things modern and give a touch of class, as does the paint. A quality paint job goes a long way to distinguish a brand as a true premium entity and Lexus is an automaker that knows this well. We especially liked the unconventional-for-a-Lexus Cerulean Blue Metallic paint on our tester.
What would further help the RX look more premium, more modern and more sporty would be a more exciting set of rims, available in even larger sizes.
NEW SIX-SPEED TRANSMISSION HELPS IMPROVE FUEL ECONOMY ON OLD V6
As the RX gets its alphanumeric designation based on its engine, the lack of a name change indicates the absence of a new powerplant. Technically speaking, the 3.5-liter V6 has gained five horsepower for a total of 275hp at 6200 rpm. Torque has also been increased 5 ft-lbs to 256, and comes on full at 2300 rpm, as opposed to 4100 rpm in the old model.
More significant powertrain changes come with the 2010 transmission and AWD system. New this year is a six-speed auto-box, which replaces the five-speed unit. It also gets a manual-shifting option – although we’d like to see paddle shifters too. As for the AWD system, it has been redesigned and now weights 35 lbs less, while reducing drivetrain loss by 30 percent.
When combined, fuel economy is up with front-drive models getting 18/25 mpg (city/highway) and AWD versions 18/24. This is a noticeable improvement from last year’s 18/23 and 17/22 ratings.
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