What Is It?
2004 Lexus RX 330
What's Special About It?
The successor to the beloved RX 300, the best-selling Lexus since its introduction five years ago, the RX 330 benefits from calculated revisions inside and out. It still doesn't have a third-row seat like the Acura MDX, leaving the carpool burden to the automaker's more expensive GX 470 and LX 470. However, for the majority of buyers who just want a five-passenger SUV, the 330's combination of luxury, performance, utility and, dare we say, style are going to be tough to match.
At first glance, the RX 330 comes off as sleeker, more sporting and much less like a minivan than the RX 300. It's aided by the mildly aggressive slant of the rear glass and rearmost pillars, monotone body paint (in lieu of lower-body cladding) and the standard 17-inch and optional 18-inch wheels. The rear fascia is again easily identified by clear-lens taillights, but now they bleed into the rear glass.
Inside, slightly larger dimensions, including a four-inch wheelbase stretch, have opened up additional leg- and shoulder room in the cabin, along with over seven more cubic feet of cargo capacity. Up front, you'll find a shapelier dash design with either walnut or bird's eye maple trim and bright electroluminescent gauges separated in chrome-ringed pods. Center stack ergonomics are much improved, as basic climate, audio and trip computer functions are no longer routed through a single LCD screen. New conveniences include dual-zone climate control, satellite stereo controls on the wheel and an optional power telescoping steering wheel adjustment. Want something a bit more unusual? Well, there's a standard cargo cover that automatically retracts when you open the liftgate, as well as options like a power liftgate, an oversize multipanel sunroof, a rear DVD entertainment system, adaptive cruise control and adaptive headlights that react to steering input.
For power, the RX has a new 3.3-liter V6 that makes 230 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque paired with a new five-speed automatic transmission. This is still off the pace set by the 260-hp MDX, but Lexus is predicting faster 0-to-60 times. Buyers still get to choose between front-wheel drive (2WD) and an all-wheel drive; the VSC stability and traction control system is standard on both. Beyond that, an optional air suspension promises to offer tighter handling around twists and turns and more protection during light off-road adventures. For more details, check out our First Drive of the RX 330.
Why Should You Care?
This best-selling luxury crossover SUV gets more style, interior room, performance and feature content, without losing any of the qualities that made it so popular in the first place. It could be the new segment leader. Toyota also announced that within two years it will market a hybrid version of the RX that will have V8-like power with compact car efficiency. So if you like the idea of a hybrid, but need something a little bigger than the Prius stay tuned. — Erin Riches
2004 Lexus RX 330
What's Special About It?
The successor to the beloved RX 300, the best-selling Lexus since its introduction five years ago, the RX 330 benefits from calculated revisions inside and out. It still doesn't have a third-row seat like the Acura MDX, leaving the carpool burden to the automaker's more expensive GX 470 and LX 470. However, for the majority of buyers who just want a five-passenger SUV, the 330's combination of luxury, performance, utility and, dare we say, style are going to be tough to match.
At first glance, the RX 330 comes off as sleeker, more sporting and much less like a minivan than the RX 300. It's aided by the mildly aggressive slant of the rear glass and rearmost pillars, monotone body paint (in lieu of lower-body cladding) and the standard 17-inch and optional 18-inch wheels. The rear fascia is again easily identified by clear-lens taillights, but now they bleed into the rear glass.
Inside, slightly larger dimensions, including a four-inch wheelbase stretch, have opened up additional leg- and shoulder room in the cabin, along with over seven more cubic feet of cargo capacity. Up front, you'll find a shapelier dash design with either walnut or bird's eye maple trim and bright electroluminescent gauges separated in chrome-ringed pods. Center stack ergonomics are much improved, as basic climate, audio and trip computer functions are no longer routed through a single LCD screen. New conveniences include dual-zone climate control, satellite stereo controls on the wheel and an optional power telescoping steering wheel adjustment. Want something a bit more unusual? Well, there's a standard cargo cover that automatically retracts when you open the liftgate, as well as options like a power liftgate, an oversize multipanel sunroof, a rear DVD entertainment system, adaptive cruise control and adaptive headlights that react to steering input.
For power, the RX has a new 3.3-liter V6 that makes 230 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque paired with a new five-speed automatic transmission. This is still off the pace set by the 260-hp MDX, but Lexus is predicting faster 0-to-60 times. Buyers still get to choose between front-wheel drive (2WD) and an all-wheel drive; the VSC stability and traction control system is standard on both. Beyond that, an optional air suspension promises to offer tighter handling around twists and turns and more protection during light off-road adventures. For more details, check out our First Drive of the RX 330.
Why Should You Care?
This best-selling luxury crossover SUV gets more style, interior room, performance and feature content, without losing any of the qualities that made it so popular in the first place. It could be the new segment leader. Toyota also announced that within two years it will market a hybrid version of the RX that will have V8-like power with compact car efficiency. So if you like the idea of a hybrid, but need something a little bigger than the Prius stay tuned. — Erin Riches
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