- suv
- Pasadena, CA
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- autoshopper.com
2008 lexus rx 350 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Smooth, luxurious crossover suv. introductionthe lexus rx is smooth and comfortable, and it's flexible when it comes to hauling people or cargo. The rx 400h features a hybrid gas-electric powerplant. for 2008, the changes are mainly cosmetic. The only mechanical change is the addition of a vehicle stability control cut-off switch. the 2008 lexus rx 350 features a new front grille design and chrome door handles. Two new exterior colors are available as well as a new interior wood trim option, black bird's-eye maple, available with the light-gray interior. The rx doesn't offer the big towing capacity or off-road capability of a true truck, but an all-wheel-drive rx 350 handles gravel and snow with ease, and it can tow up to 3500 pounds with the optional trailer package. the rx is as quiet inside as most cars. It's easy to drive and easier than most suvs to park, with light steering and responsive brakes. It's equipped with the latest in passive safety features, including seven airbags. the rx 400h combines a gasoline-powered v6 with one high-torque electric motor-generator on the front-wheel-drive model, and two motors on the all-wheel-drive model. The gas engine can propel the car or recharge the batteries. Most of the time the rx 400h runs on a combination of the v6 and electric motors, but in certain situations it will run strictly on the v6 engine, and in others strictly with the electric motors. emissions are extremely low, reducing the impact on the environment to something in the neighborhood of nil. The rx 400h burns about as much gas as a compact car. Yet it drives essentially the same as the rx 350. It accelerates as quickly off the line (which is quite quick), and more quickly at certain speeds. There are lots of good reasons to choose it over the standard rx 350, but not economic reasons. The rx 350 is a very efficient vehicle in its own right, and now that lexus has equipped both variants identically, the $4,000 price premium for the rx 400h pays strictly for the hybrid drivetrain. the lexus rx 350 is well-suited for just about any assignment, from a drive along the pacific coast highway to a camping trip in the sierra nevada. It's stylish and at home in the valet line at a fancy restaurant. lineupthe 2008 lexus rx 350 is available with a choice of front-wheel drive 37,400) or permanent all-wheel drive 38,800). The rx 350 is powered by a 3. 5-liter dual-overhead-cam v6 engine that delivers 270 horsepower through a five-speed automatic transmission. The rx 400h comes standard with the same equipment as the rx 350, except its hybrid gas-electric powertrain. The premium plus package 2,060) includes the features from the premium package and adds high-intensity discharge headlamps that turn in the direction of travel. the navigation system 2,650) with bluetooth and voice command capability includes a rear-view camera that projects an image of what's behind whenever reverse is engaged. the navigation system with mark levinson audio 6,190) on the rx 350 starts with the premium plus package and adds 210 watts, more speakers with a subwoofer and high-tech digital sound processing. On the rx 400h, it costs less 4,130) but requires purchasing either the premium or premium plus package. The mark levinson audio system is available as a stand-alone option on the rx 400h 980). a heated-seat package 665) comes with rain-sensing wipers and headlight washers. The tow prep 160) package includes a transmission cooler, heavy-duty alternator and larger radiator. Other options include a rear-seat dvd entertainment system 1,740 for the rx 350; $1,840 for the rx 400h), laser-managed dynamic cruise control 600), and hid headlamps 815). Xm and sirius satellite radio are offered as a dealer-installed option. a few options are available on only the rx 350: the giant multi-panel sunroof 2,840) comes packaged with features from the premium package. The performance package 4,055) includes all of the items in the premium plus package, plus 18-inch graphite-colored aluminum alloy wheels with wider tires, height-adjustable air suspension, sequential-shifting transmission, and rain-sensing wipers. Heated front seats 540) can be ordered as a stand-alone option. safety features that come standard include the mandated front airbags, plus a smaller airbag to protect the driver's knees. Front passengers get side-impact airbags for torso protection, while the curtain-style head protection airbags span both rows and deploy to offer head protection if the vehicle senses the possibility of a rollover. Advanced abs, traction control and electronic stability control come standard. walkaroundthe lexus rx is based on a modified version of the same platform used by the toyota camry and lexus es 350 sedans. the current lexus rx models build on the style set by the original rx 300. The headlights also feature an adaptive front lighting system, which uses an on-board processor to calculate the optimum angle to illuminate a turn then swivels the headlamp closest to the turn accordingly, allowing the driver to see better around corners. the beefy front bumper and pronounced fender flares are designed to suggest the rugged, off-pavement expected in an suv. Among them: a front bumper and grille designed to allow more air into the rx 400h engine bay for more cooling and tail lamps with leds instead of traditional incandescent bulbs. for 2008, there are a few tweaks to the appearance of both models, with a new front grille design for the rx 350, a new grille finish for the 400h, and chrome door handles on both. The 400h models without a towing package sport a blue hybrid badge on the front, and the rear spoiler is color-keyed. the rx 400h is also available with the 18-inch wheels and tires offered on the rx 350, and it says something about the thinking behind the hybrid. Lexus could have used hard, low-grip tires that reduce rolling resistance and further improve fuel economy, but chose to enhance handling instead. the 400h hybrid powertrain adds less than 300 pounds to the curb weight and that's an impressive engineering achievement, given the powerful motors and batteries. They're all placed low in the vehicle, so they don't substantially raise the center of gravity or affect handling. It's luxurious and inviting. The optional leather upholstery is luxuriously soft and slightly bunched. the rx 3. CD Changer✔ Cruise Control✔ Climate Control✔ AM/FM✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Navigation System✔ Aluminum Wheels✔ Bluetooth✔ DVD Entertainment System✔ Alloy Wheels
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