Updated Lexus RX crossovers quietly reset standard for luxury and comfort

ST. SIMONS, Georgia -- The 2010 RX 350 is scary quiet.

Frightening because you can hit 80 mph and still think you're doing 50. And that's not a good thing to do in southern Georgia, where the sweet tea is ever flowing and the police wear mirrored sunglasses and carry big radar guns.

Again and again, journalists testing the vehicle were warned the surrounding estuaries were thick with state, county and local authorities, waiting for a chance to pull over and write up anyone breaking the rules of the road.

Really speed shouldn't have mattered, the new RX models weren't designed for going fast -- though they do have an electronically limited top speed of 112 mph. The 2010 RX 350, Lexus's iconic crossover, and its hybrid sibling, the RX 450h, were designed with luxury in mind first. Speed was just one of the beneficial byproducts.

The third generation RXs were overhauled to add more luxury, sophistication and space. In recent years, the RX models had started to look dated compared with the fresh faces of the competition. This redesign, however, provides the 2010 RX 350, which went on sale last week, with a little breathing room in front of its competitors. The RX 450h, which I didn't like as much and arrives in the coming months at dealerships, also offers a lot to consumers.

Sharpening distinct profile

When designers and engineers redesigned the RX 350, they wanted to bring the top selling Lexus vehicle into the fold of other recent new Lexus vehicles, such as the LS 460 sedan -- the flagship for America's No. 1 selling luxury brand. The previous generation was more cramped and lacked the edgy exterior other luxury brands have created.

There were some serious lines added to the new RX models, as well as a sports suspension package, to help Lexus try to lure more male buyers. The new look sharpens the crossover, while allowing it to keep its iconic profile.

The rear spoiler is now standard and the new headlamp packages are much more appealing; my favorite, the LED front headlamps, are available on the hybrid model. However, I don't see a dramatic shift in consumer demographics -- there's a distinctive feminine feel to the RX models, especially inside.

Overall, Lexus judiciously made the RX bigger. The overall length was stretched 1.38 inches and the RX was made 1.6 inches wider. The end result of these increases was a slightly longer wheelbase and wider track. Inside, the extra width is especially noticeable because the driver and the front passenger no longer bump elbows when attempting to adjust the stereo.

Much like a quiet ride (Lexus adds everything from sound proofing plastic in the wheel wells to strategically placed materials along the bottom of the vehicle), a well-appointed space equates to luxury. It's simple arithmetic, and these Lexus models round up on every available feature.

Driver feels at home

The RX models cater to its drivers. When you shut off this Lexus, its moves the seat back and lifts the steering wheel up with an electronic whirl to provide more room to exit.

The center stack, that combination of climate controls, stereo and other features, are laid out in an open triangle to the driver. It's an asymmetrical design that emphasizes the driver without alienating the passenger.

The display screen mounted in the dash is pushed away from the driver. While many displays want you to touch them, this one is controlled by Lexus' Remote Touch system.

Remote Touch system, which is similar to having a stationary mouse on your center console. Your hand fits easily on it and you can move a cursor around the screen to select your next command.

Because the display screen is pushed farther away and has a well formed hood over it, it is easy to read even on the brightest days.

Instead of clicking on the mouse, which was the natural tendency, you push an enter button on the side. Lexus even uses a device to make the joystick "feel" as if it's on a particular spot. It feels almost like a the pointer has a magnetic response to the digital button. The system works remarkably well and within a few minutes, it feels as natural using a computer.

The only serious gripe I had with the system was its iPod integration. It was awful at reading my iPhone, and when you'd attempt to scroll through songs, it would start playing a song on the page showing on the screen. That's just dumb.

Now, Lexus said it is reprogramming the system for models arriving at dealerships. If they do, great; if they don't, use the difficult-to-find auxiliary jack -- it's below the bin in the center console and is more confusing to plug in than a British appliance.

But those are minor complaints compared to the comfortable leather seats and tasteful wood trim throughout the cabin. The instrument panel, which uses organic LEDs, looks clean and sleek. There's even the infamous pocketbook space under the center console, which flows nicely between the driver and passenger.

Giving gadgets their due

Really, Lexus does an excellent job catering to the driver. There's remote key access, a power liftgate, an automatic tonneau cover that covers the back area, a full complement of steering wheel controls, programmable garaged door opener, adjustable seat belt height adjusters, the premium Mark Levinson stereo system and a very cool heads-up display that constantly shows your speed and will flash directions and other information. While I thought the white lettering might be difficult to see, it was easy to read, even under heavy glare conditions.

This vehicle will even adjust its headlights for you with its automatic high beam feature. It turns off the high beams when an oncoming vehicle is roughly 2,600 feet away. It also will turn off the high beams when you approach -- within 1,900 feet -- another vehicle.

The reclining second row (built in a 40/20/40 split configuration) is nearly as comfortable as the front and has an optional dual-screen DVD player.

Lexus even improved the lines of sight in the RX 350 and 400h. And if that's not enough, Lexus offers a back up camera and wide-view side monitor system that allows you to see along the passenger side of the vehicle. Curbside parking should never be easier.

Another interior adjustment arrived with Lexus changing its rear suspension to a compact double wishbone independent system. This eliminated the struts from reaching up into the rear storage area. It's a noticeable difference. It also helped give both RX models a well-planted feeling on the road.

Distracted by hybrid

Powered by a dual overhead cam 3.5-liter V-6, the RX 350 provided plenty of pickup and cruised along nicely. The engine produces 275-horsepower and hits 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA, though those numbers were reached on premium fuel. The RX 350 was nearly as quiet on the road as the hybrid RX 450h. However, I enjoyed driving the gas-only model more than the hybrid.

Lexus uses the same gas engine in the hybrid model but has tuned it to run on the Atkinson cycle. This makes the engine more efficient when it's being used. However, the RX 450h seemed to shudder slightly every time the engine kicked on; it was especially noticeable when sitting at a light or stop sign. While the electric drivetrain does provide that instant torque and overall the hybrid felt very similar to the gas-only model, those little shudders were distracting.

And in a Lexus, you shouldn't be distracted.

The 2010 RX 350 and 450h make it all that much easier to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Scott Burgess is the auto critic for The Detroit News. He can be reached at (313) 223-3217 or sburgess@detnews.com">sburgess@detnews.com.