2010 Lexus RX450h Review
When it debuted four years ago, the Lexus RX400h answered what many thought was an obvious question: Why doesn'tsomeone make a midsize hybrid SUV? Better yet, how about aluxury-branded midsize hybrid SUV? That first RX hybrid offered thetypical Lexus attributes of luxury, a smooth and quiet ride andtop-notch build quality. It also provided strong performance along withfuel mileage ratings in the mid-20s. The 2010 Lexus RX 450h representsthe next generation of this successful offering. Among the changes madefor 2010 are more power along with slightly better fuel efficiency.
TheRX 450h produces a maximum output of 295 horsepower, 27 more ponies thanbefore, while the fuel numbers go up a couple of mpg. The hybridversion also shares the same changes made to all 2010 RX models,including an increase in width (though other dimensions remainessentially unchanged), a beefier structure to promote greatercrash worthiness, bigger wheels and brakes, more airbags (now at 10total), a keyless ignition system and a new computer mouse likemultifunction controller for the optional navigation system.Unfortunately, another change for the 450h is a weight gain of more than400 pounds. However, it seems to have little effect on the RX 450h'sdynamics, as performance is still strong and handling feels sharper thanbefore, thanks to revised steering and suspension systems. As before,the hybrid can function in gas-engine-only, electric-only or combinationmodes depending on conditions. During light acceleration or whencoasting, the 450h saves fuel by running solely on battery power. Whenfull power is called for, the 450h offers acceleration similar to thatof some V8-powered rivals while achieving the best fuel economy in themidsize luxury SUV class. Of course, none of this comes cheap. Atypically equipped 2010 Lexus RX 450h will cost about $4,000 more than asimilar RX 350. Given that, it would take many miles and years ofdriving to recoup the hybrid's additional cost via reduced fuelconsumption. And from a pure "save the planet" standpoint, buying a50-mpg Prius makes much more sense than buying a 28-mpg crossover. Butit's hard not to like the RX 450h -- quick, luxurious and relativelyfuel-efficient, it seemingly offers the best of all worlds, virtuallyguaranteeing its appeal to the luxury SUV buyer.
Summary
The 2010 LexusRX 450h drives a lot like its gas-powered RX 350 sibling, deliveringboth a smooth ride and reasonably tight handling despite its extraweight (which is only noticeable when changing direction at higherspeeds). That smooth ride comes thanks to soft suspension tuning, whichmakes the RX feel a little too spongy for those who appreciate a morespirited driving experience. However, the Sport package does firm thingsup a bit. The RX 450h is capable of approaching 30 mph in electric modealone, which is of great fuel-saving benefit in stop-and-go traffic.This year brings a new "EV" mode that allows solely electric propulsionfor lower speeds over short distances. Under maximum acceleration,though, an un-Lexus-like amount of engine noise is generated as the gasengine revs all the way up to redline.

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2010 Lexus GX 460 Review
Slotting just below the Land Cruiser- based LX570 in the Lexus lineup, the mid-size 2010 Lexus GX 460 is all-new this year, itself based on the Toyota 4Runner. While the 4Runner offers four-cylinder and V-6 engines, the GX offers a V-8, power-folding third-row seats, plus a host of luxury and technology options and much-improved refinement while allowing impressive off-road and towing ability.
Throughout the GX, designers have blended the gentle, organic,and aerodynamic styling of the Lexus L- Finesse designs of recent years with a "machined steel bar" theme, giving it a more sculpted, solid look that separates it from the cars and crossovers. From the front, the likeness with Lexus cars is obvious, with a similar chromed grille flanked by rather large headlamps (which bow slightly to meet U.S.regs). In back, the GX has a clean, uncluttered look, mainly thanks tothe narrow vertical tail lamps and a new wiper design that's hidden under the roof spoiler. Alongside, the GX looks the most 'trucky,' with carved-out fenders and the very tall, imposing belt line. Lexus likes to think of the interior as "tough premium," with the GX combining the expected chunky trim and bulkier door handles with soft, luxurious materials. The instrument- panel design is quite upright and has a horizontal-bar theme running its length.
Walkaround
The 2010 GX has a nice, high seating position in front so much so that at least looking ahead and to the side you don't feel that the belt line is so tall. The front seats and driving position in the GX 460 remind us why so many drivers were won over by SUVs in the past decade. Seating in the GX 460is superb in front, with nicely padded seats affording plenty of support plus good headroom and legroom and a general feeling of spaciousness.The second row of seating in the GX 450 is split and slides fore and aftmore than a foot in all so that third -row occupants can get in and out more easily, and so that second- and third -row passengers can compromise for the best allocation of legroom. The back row is also split, with an all-new design that should be more convenient for occasional third-row users; the sections are electrically operated and can be brought up or down in a half- minute or so by holding down a button just inside the side-opening rear hatch. The upside of this new design, aside from the handy power deployment, is that it's actually do able for adults for short stints if you're willing to accept a seating position that places your knees up near your chest. But there's also abig downside to the new design: While the third row in the old GX could be removed, making the GX feel more like a vehicle that was retro fitted with the power third- row arrangement on a budget, from an existing vehicle, than an all-new one. There's very little cargo space behind the third row when it's up. Overall, we're pleased with the look and feel of the interior appointments. The GX has more unique interior pieces than ever before. The controls felt better designed and less cluttered than those in Lexus cars, and we loved the redesigned steering-wheel controls and nice, legible gauge layout and cleanly laid-out center-stack for audio, climate, and nav functions. The only odd thing is the sliding panel that partially covers audio controls.
 Summary
As you might expect, the Lexus GX 460 comes with nearly all the traditional luxury and comfort features standard. What you opt up especially on the Premium Grade model are the rich technology, entertainment, and information features, like 330-watt Mark Levinson surround sound, a rear seat entertainment system, Intuitive Park Assist, and theafore mentioned safety-tech package. Lexus' navigation system is now packaged with Enform, which offers a suite of services delivering weather, stock quotes, and sports scores, among other things, plus a Destination Assist service that allows a remote operator to input program your nav system.

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2010 Lexus LX 570 Review
The Lexus LX 570 is powered by a 383-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. Mechanically, the LX 570 is heavily related to the Land Cruiser, and both boast tremendous off-road capabilities. In addition to its truck-based design, the LX 570 features a permanent four-wheel-drive system along with respectable wheel travel and ground clearance. There's also a new electronically controlled off-road Crawl Control mode. When this feature is activated, the 570 uses its anti-lock brakes and electronic throttle to fearlessly descend or ascend steep,slippery slopes. All the driver has to do is steer. While dedicated off-road vehicles tend to behave like jittery behemoths on pavement,this Lexus is as civilized as it gets. Special to the LX 570 is an electronically controlled suspension with adaptive ride height and damping control that delivers the type of buttery-smooth ride expected of a Lexus.

Options
The Lexus LX 570 is also adorned in the finest interior trappings of its class. The leather upholstery is almost inconceivably supple, and the bird's-eye maple inlays are some of the richest you'll find at any price point. Other materials are similarly beyond reproach. The LX also offers seating for eight, although its rearmost row is suitable only for children and doesn't fold flat into the trunk floor. (Each piece of the split bench flips against the side walls.)

Summary
The Lexus LX 570 is a full-size truck-based SUV that has seats for up to eight people in three rows. Standard luxury features include a navigation system and four-zone air conditioning. Competitors include other luxury SUV's like the Land Rover Range Rover and Mercedes-BenzGL550.

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2010 Lexus RX 350
2010 Lexus RX 350 Review
For the Lexus RX, 2010brings a moderately updated drivetrain. The RX 350 sports a 3.5-liter V-6 with 275 horsepower (up a slight 5 hp from before), teamed to asix-speed automatic transmission and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, the latter of which has an adaptive torque split for rapidly changing driving conditions. (Theres a hybrid edition covered separately as the 2010 Lexus RX 450h.) The new transmission, with its extraforward gear, also has a sport-shift mode. And with help from the new eco driving light and a careful right foot, the 2010 RX 350 can be coaxed to 18/24 mpg fuel economy. The bigger surprise is the increased powertrain noise found in the latest edition, a little unexpected in a vehicle thats taken great pride in its isolation from the road.

Optionsand Features
Standard equipment includes a CD player,Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control and ten-way power front seats. The most controversial feature in the new 2010 Lexus RX is likely to be the available "Remote Touch" controller, which Lexus compares openly to the iDrive system from BMW and Audi's MMI. The controller is shaped more ergonomically than those click-wheel setups,and Lexus says it feels natural like a computer mouse. It can be used to control the navigation system which is mounted farther away on the dashthan in prior versions for better visibility. A head-up display is also available to cut down driving distraction even more. InTheCarConnection.coms experience, its far more usable and intuitive than the click-wheel i Drive clones, but its still a computer interface that can distract drivers, and can take weeks to learn to use. The RXs rear suspension is new as well, and it leads to the biggest improvement inthe package: about five percent more cargo room behind the second-row seats. The area is more usefully shaped, too, and the two rows of seats continue to offer ample leg, head, and shoulder room for four adults (a third can squeeze into the middle of the second row for short trips). It helps that the RX has grown an inch or so in most directions, but the difference is only immediately obvious to your luggage.

Summary
Other options on the 2010 Lexus RX 350 will include leather seating, aside-view monitor, USB connectivity for MP3 players, a Mark Levinson sound system, a hard-drive navigation system, XM NavTraffic, a rear-seat entertainment system, ventilated front seats, remote start, and as port-minded suspension. Perhaps the most sought-after feature in theLexus RX is the Lexus ownership experience; its more costly than some five-seat crossovers and not the most distinct, but Lexus has long dominated customer-satisfaction and service rankings. What you give up in driving flair, you win back in ease of ownership.

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Infiniti  | Jaguar  | Jeep |Kia Land Rover |  Lexus | Lincoln | Mazda | Mercedes-Benz | Mercury | Mini 
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