2009 Lexus RX 350

The original luxury crossover reaches the end of its product cycle in the 2009 Lexus RX 350. Lexus will mess with success, as its most popular vehicle undergoes a transformation for 2010. In the meantime, we’ve still got RX 350 to kick around. RX 350 competes with: BMW X3; Infiniti EX; Acura RDX.

Originally introduced as a 1998 model (RX 300) the Lexus RX 350 is currently in its second generation, with a third generation on the way for 2010. Available with front-wheel drive (base price $37,700) or all-wheel drive (base price $39,100) and a five-speed automatic transmission. I drove a nicely-equipped FWD model that priced out at $43,075, including 18” alloy wheels ($495), GPS navigation/Bluetooth/Voice Activation/Compass/Rear Back-Up Camera ($2,650), the Luxury Value Edition package ($1,245) and the Towing Prep package ($160).

There’s a good reason why RX has been Lexus’s best-selling model for most of its product cycle, and the best-selling luxury vehicle in the United States for a few of those years – it just plain works. It may seem counter-intuitive to call a luxury crossover vehicle “no frills,” but that’s just what RX is. It’s not the fastest, most nimble, prettiest, most efficient or best luxury crossover on the road – those distinctions go to other vehicles. RX is a standard by which other crossovers are judged. Look at the ads and reviews – “As quiet as the Lexus RX.” “More cargo capacity than a Lexus RX.” “Hundreds of dollars less than a Lexus RX.” When everyone else is measuring themselves by your yardstick, you’re doing something right.

RX is remarkably quiet in operation, with its smooth 3.5 liter V6 engine operating with sewing machine efficiency, pumping out 270 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. Performance and handling are adequate, but not exciting. If you want excitement, get an Infiniti FX. If you want the experience of being transported from location to location in an efficient cloud, get an RX.