![]() The center dash area, or stack, is framed in metal-looking plastic.Ĭlimate controls are located high on the center stack and to either side of an LCD screen used to control ventilation, audio, trip computer, outside temperature and clock (with alarm). The instrument panel has three large round gauges trimmed in silver. Leather on the seats (on most models) is soft and slightly bunched, and there are splashes of real wood trim on the doors and center console. It doesn’t take more than a glance inside to know the Lexus RX 330 is aimed at the luxury SUV market. The RX 330 utilizes a modified version of the platform used by the Lexus ES300 sedan, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Highlander sport-utility. The latter are trendy with the sport compact kids we think they should stay there, as these don’t seem to be as visible, especially in bright sunlight, as the old-fogy red lenses. It’s available only as part of the Performance Package.Ī rear view of the RX 330 reveals a visor over the top edge of the rear window, a short radio antenna at the right rear corner of the roof (promising better reception in marginal areas than the imbedded-in-glass type), and clear-lensed taillamps. This system swivels the left and right headlamp as determined by an onboard processor that calculates the optimum angle to provide the best illumination, allowing drivers to see around corners better. market since the 1949 Tucker, is the Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS). Well-designed door handles are of the reach-through type that are more hand-friendly than the fingertip-grip variety, less chance of breaking long fingernails.Ī novel feature, something not seen on the U.S. There’s more rake to the windshield as well, and the front facia and headlamps are reminiscent of the Lexus ES 300 sedan.Īlthough there are definite car cues to the new design, Lexus designers have also included meatier elements, such as the beefy front bumper and pronounced fender flares. Unlike the RX 300, which had a body-color C-pillar, the D-pillar is emphasized on the RX 330, and is more steeply raked. RX 330 is much sleeker than the RX 300, making the older model look really dated. Lexus RX 330 joins the trend of zoomier styling on crossover SUVs, notably the new Infiniti FX45. ![]() Dynamic cruise control ($600) and a rear-seat entertainment system ($1,840) are also available. An available navigation system includes a rear-view camera ($2,350). There’s also a multi-panel moonroof available that’s larger than the standard moonroof with other features bundled in for $4,220. The Performance Package ($5,455) includes all of the items in the Premium Package, plus 18-inch plated aluminum alloy wheels, air suspension, sequential shifting transmission, power rear door, HID headlamps with AFS (see Walkaround), and rain-sensing wipers. The Premium Plus Package ($3,440) adds a power liftgate, HID headlamps and a wood and leather steering wheel. The Premium Package ($2,145) includes leather, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, roof rack, and moonroof. Rather than offering base and premium models, Lexus allows buyers to upgrade with freestanding options and option packages. Both come only with 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. ![]() RX 330 4WD ($36,425) has an all-wheel drive system. The Lexus RX 330 is available with two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. The front seats are positioned off the floor at a comfortable chair height and are snug and supportive and the back seats are roomy and comfortable. It comes with a leather interior that feels soft and warm and inviting with splashes of real wood trim. The 2004 RX 330 is longer and wider than the model it replaces. As such, the RX 330 gives up some off-road ability but will do what most SUV buyers want: provide more cargo room than a sedan while conferring an over-the-traffic view and a sense of security from its elevated driving position. Lexus calls the RX 330 a luxury utility vehicle, and is bold enough to dub it an “LUV.” The RX 330 falls into that category of SUV that is based on a unit-body car platform rather than a truck frame, and it could be called a crossover vehicle. (No one can.) Therefore, the RX 300 has been replaced by the all-new 2004 Lexus RX 330. But the RX 300 was introduced in 1998 and, with a growing number of challengers, Lexus can’t afford to stand still. With the RX 300, Lexus has had the best-selling luxury SUV in not only America but the world.
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