2007 Lexus RX 350 Review

Written By: MyRide.com
Reprinted under license.

Teeth grinding in Bavaria continues

Introduction

Why We Drove It

As one of the leaders in the crossover luxury segment - indeed, the one that started it all - the Lexus RX 350 received a shot of power and a new name for the 2007 model year, making it more competitive with its classmates and more fun to drive. It's got that same old look, though, and it still lollygags around corners like a bathtub - and many of its competitors are doing much better things. As with all cars, these crossovers are constantly changing, and while this RX is an above average player that will provide many year and miles of satisfaction, we look forward to the Toyota/Lexus answer to cars like the new Acura MDX in a few years.

Performance:

With a new 3.5-liter V6 comes more power: 270 horsepower and 251 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a five-speed automatic transmission that delivers power either to all four wheels - as in our tester - or to the fronts. That delivery is exquisitely smooth, though geared for fuel economy. In other words, it'll dump you into the next gear before the engine really needs it, resulting in less performance but less gas slurping.

Handling

There's a little too much body roll. This is a luxury SUV, mind you, not a performance luxury machine, so aggressive driving isn't really a strong suit. The fact is though, it's not as bad a handler as BMW fans would have you believe. It's compliant, yes, and soft in the corners with plenty of squealing and crying. Yet it's fast and light, with responsive - but numb - steering. Driver and passengers are isolated from the harsh world outside, swaddled in comfortable leather and protected by a suspension that absorbs virtually all road imperfections. You still feel the road, it's just that it feels like carnival taffy.

Visibility

With the backup camera, not an issue at all. Without it, seeing out the back window was a little tough, and the C-pillars are pretty thick from the driver's viewpoint.

Fun to Drive

Skip this section, BMW fans, for you'll likely not appreciate the fact that the Lexus RX 350 is fun to drive, thanks to a boost in horsepower and torque. It's the same old quiet and comfortable Lexus, but this time it's got a new attitude: a little meaner, a little 5 o'clock shadow, a little rough around the edges. Sure, it will still rock your baby to sleep. But then it'll get up and party like a frat boy.

Continue to 2007 Lexus RX 350 Review from MyRide.com

Drifting Articles:

2007 Acura MDX Review
Acura MDX - 2007 Review: Picture in your mind a sport sedan. One with all-wheel drive, an active damper system, and responsive steering and brakes.

Things to Consider When Buying a New Car from a Connecticut Dealer Nissan
Things to Consider When Buying a New Car from a Connecticut Dealer Nissan

2007 Lexus ES 350 Review
Lexus ES 350 - 2007 Driving Impressions - There's no denying that tastes change with age. Take cars, for example. For first-time drivers, fresh from the DMV with their license to Freedom Highway, the ride of choice is heavily influenced by how cute or cool it is, its color, possibly how fast or loud it is, or maybe how many watts the sound system puts out.

All the Info on the 2005 Nissan Maxima
Like many cars in the 30K dollar mark, the Maxima is partially a luxury and sport sedan. One thing that Nissan offers that many others don't is a pretty sweet 6 speed manual transmission for the true sports car fans that want a little more when grabbing the groceries.

2008 Nissan Armada Preview
2008 Nissan Armada Preview - 2007 Chicago Auto Show: Let's face it: High gas prices, environmental concern and oil dependency have made vehicles like the Nissan Armada poster children for conspicuous consumption, and that's made selling these beasts a slow slog down a muddy trail.

2007 Lexus LS 460 First Drive
Lexus LS 460 - 2007 First Drive: Spend time driving around Austria and you'll get the distinct impression you've been transported to a parallel universe where the pursuit of perfection is an ordinary part of everyday life.

2007 Acura RDX First Drive
Acura RDX -- 2007 First Drive: This is what happens when you give automotive engineers too much caffeine. You get a Picasso on wheels, a technological marvel that answers a burning question, opens our eyes, but in doing so raises issues and weaknesses that we probably were not even aware of.

Acura Excitement!
Ever since Honda launched their sport/luxury division in 1986, the offerings from the Japanese automaker have improved immensely. Gone are the days that most Acura's looked and drove like their Honda cousins.

The All New Mazda 6 Makes a Bold Entrance into The Mid-Size Car Market
Perfectly designed and constructed, the all new Mazda 6 has made a fierce breakthrough into the mid-size car market. The new Mazda 6 went on sale at the beginning of 2008.

Street Racing - Stuntiing - Aggressive Driving Endangers Lives
Car Insurance Companies Applaud New Law for: Street Racing, Stunting, and Drag Racing

Mazda Dealers Baltimore And How To Prepare To Car Shop
Recently I decided the time was right, the stars had aligned, and the overtime had been worked: It was time to buy a new car. The little "new car scent" trees just weren't cutting the mustard anymore in my 1990's...thing. There are a number of Mazda dealers Baltimore (http://www.ourismanmazda.com/) offers; my car of choice, so I decided it was time for a little tire kicking.

Motor Trend Names Mazda CX-9 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year(TM)
MOTOR TREND (www.motortrend.com) today announced the Mazda CX-9 is MOTOR TREND's 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year(TM).

2007 Acura RDX Review
Acura RDX - 2007 Review: Consumers are flocking to crossover SUVs, or CUVs, simultaneously draining the conventional sport-ute and sport coupe markets of potential buyers.

Laser Leader Nissan Pilest First Dermatologist in Orange County to offer Multi-Effect Skin Resurfacing with Fraxel's New CO2 Repair Skin Laser
Conventional CO2 skin lasers got great results in banishing wrinkles and pigmentation while affording skin tightening, but the "recovery" came at a heavy price. Fraxel's latest skin resurfacing laser utilizes the power of CO2 with the ease and quick healing of microbeam technology. Dr. Pilest is the first dermatologist in Orange County to receive the Fraxel Re:pair.

2007 Nissan Maxima Review
Nissan Maxima - 2007 Review: The Maxima delivers on style but isn't destined to be a classic and the build quality could keep it in summer school.

Drift Tracks - Learn drifting, tips, tracks, and more...