Introduction

When it was introduced in mid-1998, the RX 300 represented the vanguard of a new class of vehicles. More a tall car than a truck-like SUV, the RX 300 nonetheless delivered the SUV attributes most urban/suburban buyers wanted: a high seating position, generous, versatile cargo capacity, and all-weather traction. But what made it popular was its Lexus levels of quality, luxury, comfort, and quietude. The RX 300's near-instant success quickly inspired imitators, including the Acura MDX, BMW X5, and Buick Rendezvous. Still, the RX 300 remains one of the top contenders. It delivers a smooth on-road ride, fine handling, a quiet interior and a responsive V6 engine. RX 300 can be equipped with either full-time four-wheel drive for poor weather driving conditions, or front-wheel drive. It's not built for optimal off-road adventures. If that's what you're looking for, try the similarly priced Land Rover Discovery. For 2002, Lexus has updated the RX 300's DVD navigation system.

Walkaround

The Lexus RX 300 doesn't look like an off-road vehicle, and you wouldn't want to drive one to the next Jeep Jamboree. It looks more like a luxury wagon and that's what it is, though it is quite capable of handling dirt two-tracks and snow-covered mountain roads. Its unique styling seems most at home in upscale urban settings. It is as aerodynamic as it looks, with a low 0.36 coefficient of drag, which helps reduce wind noise. The RX 300 is slightly longer and wider than a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Like a car, it employs a unit-body chassis instead of the inherently heavier body-on-frame design used on most trucks and sport-utilities. Though a few bits come from the Lexus ES 300 sedan, the RX 300 is built on a unique platform. Last year (2001), the front headlamps receive an "emerald shading" to make them look like light units on the Lexus LS 430 flagship sedan. The RX 300's taillamps were also redesigned for 2001. Projector-beam foglamps add to the RX 300's sports appeal.

Interior Features

Getting in and out of a vehicle couldn't be easier. While most sport-utilities require a step up and most sports cars require ducking down, the RX 300 allows you to slide straight in. Once in, drivers are treated to comfortable seats and a beautiful interior. Ours came in elegant light beige leather. (Lexus offers black leather as well.) Overall, this is a lovely interior and very well designed. The U-shaped piece of wood trim capped by a pair of vents on the center console looks odd and unnatural to me, but my colleagues have disagreed, saying it complements the RX 300's interior and exterior design. Open the sunroof and the little sunroof spoiler generates quite a bit of wind noise. Regardless, everything works magnificently. All the switchgear operates flawlessly and all controls are positioned exactly as one would expect. The one thing that isn't positioned exactly as you'd expect is the shift lever, which is mounted in the center of the instrument panel. This design frees some floor space between the front seats for small packages, purses or a brace of Big Macs. It also makes it easier to slide over to the other seat. The rear seats slide forward and aft to create legroom or increase cargo space. They also recline individually. For 2002, the DVD navigation system has been upgraded. Route calculation is nearly twice as fast as before, and map scrolling speed has increased as well. The database has been expanded to include more Canadian destinations. Aside from that, the RX 300 continues unchanged from 2001.