- suv 75,423
- Lyman, SC
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- autoshopper.com
- suv 75,423 blue automatic
2006 lexus rx 330 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Smooth, sophisticated. And practical. introductionthe lexus rx 330 excels at smoothness. It rides more quietly than most cars, not to mention most suvs. It glides over bumpy roads. It's very easy to drive with light steering and excellent brakes. Even more important, it's equipped with the latest in passive safety features, including seven airbags. with the rx series, lexus pioneered the crossover style of suv, based on a unibody car platform rather than a heavy-duty truck frame; and in the process set new standards for the modern luxury utility. Crossover utility vehicles offer better ride and handling than truck-based suvs, but with more cargo room than a car, a better view over traffic and a sense of security from an elevated driving position. Granted, crossover vehicles offer neither the big towing capacity nor the off-road capability of a true truck. But the rx 330 handles gravel roads just fine and can tow up to 3500 pounds with the optional trailer package. redesigned for the 2004 model year, the rx 330 has been refined for 2006 with two-way power lumbar support for the front passenger seat, an led glovebox lamp, and anti-theft headlamps. lineupthe 2006 lexus rx 330 is available with a choice of front-wheel drive 36,370) or all-wheel drive 37,770). Both are powered by a sophisticated dual overhead-cam v6 engine with variable valve timing, driving through a five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. (lexus also builds a hybrid version called the rx 400h, which we have reviewed separately.) the rx 330's list of standard luxuries is long, and includes automatic climate control, premium audio, cruise control, traction and stability control, privacy glass, automatic headlamps, ten-way power for both front seats, wood and leather trim for the steering wheel and shift knob, a power rear liftgate, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. Cloth upholstery comes standard. the premium package 2,145) includes leather upholstery, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, roof rack, and a one-touch moonroof. The premium plus package 2,960) adds to that high-intensity discharge headlamps with an adaptive front lighting system and a steering wheel trimmed in wood and leather. The performance package 4,675) includes all of the items in the premium package, plus 18-inch graphite-colored aluminum alloy wheels with p235/55r18 tires, height-adjustable air suspension, sequential-shifting transmission, rain-sensing wipers, the hid headlamps with afs, and a power rear liftgate. (some of these packages may change.) open-sky enthusiasts who aren't content with the optional moonroof can opt for a giant multi-panel moonroof, which comes bundled with leather-trimmed upholstery and other features 3,740). The navigation system 2,350) was updated for 2005 with bluetooth, voice activation and improved graphics, and now comes with a rear-view camera that projects an image of much of what's behind whenever reverse is selected. Dynamic cruise control, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a six-disc cd changer are also available. Xm satellite radio is offered as a dealer-installed option. safety features that come standard include dual frontal airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags (for torso protection), side curtain airbags (for head protection), plus a driver's knee bag. The side curtain airbags extend to help protect rear-seat passengers as well, and respond to a rollover sensor in addition to the usual decelerometer. walkaroundthe lexus rx was among the first to introduce a zoomy new design theme to the suv market and this second-generation model builds on the style set by the original rx 300. The rx 330's raked-back front fascia and headlamps are reminiscent of the lexus es 330 sedan. a beefy front bumper and pronounced fender flares are designed to suggest the rx is capable of venturing off the pavement. Afs comes on all rx 330s with high-intensity discharge (hid) headlamps. For 2006, lexus has made these pricey headlamps harder to steal. the rear view of the rx 330 reveals a visor-like spoiler 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 also-included imbedded-in-glass type), and clear-lens taillamps. like the toyota highlander, the rx 330 is built on the same platform (with modifications) as the toyota camry and lexus es 330 sedans. interiorthe rx 330's cabin is luxurious and inviting. The optional leather is soft and slightly bunched. Splashes of real wood trim adorn the doors and center console. getting in is easy, with no need to climb up or duck down. The front seats are positioned off the floor at a comfortable chair height and are snug and supportive. The seats are relatively flat, making it easy to get in and out. They adjust every which way, though not all of us can seem to get completely comfortable. Foldable armrests on both front seats provide additional comfort on longer trips. The center dash area is framed in metallic-looking plastic topped with a pair of air vents. The center stack is dominated by the available seven-inch display. This screen is used for climate control and trip computer functions, as well as displaying the outside temperature and clock (with alarm). It's also used by the optional navigation system and rear-view camera. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is shifted into reverse. The radio has big knobs for volume and tuning that are easy to use. The lexus premium audio is a 132-watt, eight-speaker system with am/fm/cassette/cd. The optional mark levinson audio system features 11 speakers, 210 watts and an in-dash, 6-disc cd changer. the shifter for the automatic transmission is located on the center dash. This was novel when the rx series first appeared, and has been copied since. There's a folding center armrest with cupholders, storage, and its own wood trim. The rear seats don't fold completely flat, however. Cleverly hidden under the cargo floor are compartments for additional storage. It glides over broken, potholed pavement. Its steering is light and accurate and it feels poised when cornering. Its fully independent suspension helps keep the tires in contact with the pavement for lots of grip. the rx 330 is smooth and quite responsive, particularly around town. Its 3. 3-liter v6 engine rated at 223 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 238 pound-feet of torque at 3600 rpm. (that's a little less than last year's ratings because the society of automotive engineers, or sae, revised its testing standards for horsepower and torque. The 2006 is just as powerful as the 2005 engine. We found throttle tip-in overly sensitive at times, but quickly adapted for smooth take-offs. Lexus says the all-wheel drive rx 330 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 7. 8 seconds and ru. Cruise Control✔ Climate Control✔ AM/FM✔ CD Changer✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Aluminum Wheels✔ Bluetooth✔ Navigation System✔ Alloy Wheels
Lyman, SCLyman, SC at autoshopper.com