For years, the Lexus GX460 has been ridiculed, as was a dinosaur in the age of crossovers. Lexus has responded with this new GX and it looks better than ever, but the real question is, is there still a use for these massive truck-based SUVs?
While General Motors has been ridiculed for creating numerous versions of one model, Toyota has been able to get away with it for years. For example, the Toyota Camry has a big brother, the Lexus ES350, as the two are one in the same, just with a few more leather bits sprinkled on.
The Lexus GX460, a gilded up version of the Toyota 4Runner, has been accused on doing the same crime and in all tense and purposes, should be convicted. Both of these models have been redesigned for 2010 and both use the same underpinnings, but just like ES to the Camry, Lexus has softened things up in the attempt to hide the Toyota’s tough man exterior with wood, leather and more toys than one could ever imagine.
Back in 2003, the GX was loved for its versatility and that typical Lexus refinement, but this is 2011. The question now becomes; have things changed for the big sort off-road Lexus?
Gone are the stickers and the camouflage, the wild spoilers and the additional XXL high-beam lights, the roll cage and the stripped-out interior. The gleaming white wonder posing in pit lane at the Nürburgring Formula 1 circuit looks like a distant relative of the race car that competed in the twenty-four-hour endurance run earlier this year. What we see here - four weeks prior to the official launch at the Tokyo Motor Show - is the first undisguised production car, one of only 500 LFAs to be made, estimated to cost a breathtaking $350,000 to $400,000. This dramatically different Japanese sports car combines high technology with maximum user-friendliness. It is a blend of extreme engineering and exquisite craftsmanship, top-notch performance and easy accessibility, uncompromising driver involvement and total control. There are more powerful and faster sports cars out there, but very few deliver their talents in a more focused and more emotional manner than the new Lexus flagship.
While the casual observer may described the IS-F as a second generation IS on steroids, after driving a new 2011 model for several hundred miles, it is clear that there was a comprehensive high performance engineering philosophy that went into building the car. It is that very engineering that sets it apart from its siblings.
The IS-F debuted at several major autoshows in 2007 and the first cars were available for sale as 2008 models. Although it was not originally slated to be the debut of Lexus’ F-Line machines (that was supposed to have been the LF-A), the IS-F has taken on that mantle with success, and wears the ‘F’ badge on its widened front fenders proudly for good reason.
As we were flying down an off-ramp at 120 kays, we were wondering how far Lexus had come. Starting off from a not-so-humble beginning with a lumpy luxury cruiser under the LS badge, we couldn't help but feel a little giddy as we piloted their latest zippy incarnation, which wears the new IS badge. After years of producing reliable alternatives to Mercedes-Benz, Lexus has finally branched out and given us a reliable substitute to a BMW. Or at least, what they think a BMW ought to be.
The Lexus IS 300's sleek new exterior styling philosophy is certainly a step in the right direction. It is delightfully aggressive in person, with 17-inch wheels and dual exhaust tips, but it is one of those designs which unfortunately look bloated in photos. It is unique enough for many young bystanders to turn around with interest, but it is equally anonymous enough for taxi drivers to disrespectfully honk at you, even when you are rolling in a Lexus. The build quality is flawless as expected, and this favourable trait continues within the interior as well.
The IS lineup was totally redesigned back in 2006 -- and still the 'baby' Lexus -- especially this IS250, is the entry-level car in the line-up, with the base model just under-cutting the ES350.
Following the total overhaul, a series of minor updates were introduced starting back in 2008, including leather heated front seats in the all-wheel drive model, a new finish for the standard wheels, illuminated mirror adjustment control and back-lit sill plates, along with a coin holder.
Growing up along with Lexus and being an enthusiast, my perception of the brand is that they make cars that are as smooth and luxurious to drive as they are boring. And with Lexus’s parental giant, Toyota, being the forefront of efficiency and hybrid powertrains, both Toyota and Lexus are looked down upon by the enthusiast as being the antithesis of all things petrolhead. That’s not to say that they make terrible cars, but ones that speak way too much to the average consumer rather than the enthusiast.
The RX 450h hybrid luxury crossover is one of Lexus’ best-selling hybrid models. When the RX hybrid first launched in 2006, it was a pioneer in the luxury hybrid category. Now, Lexus stands as the luxury hybrid leader with its offering of five hybrids.
With impressive fuel economy ratings, powerful drivetrain and a comfortable ride, the RX 450h provides an engaging driving experience with an abundance of technology and convenience features. For 2012, the RX 450h adds Nebula Gray Pearl to the exterior color choices as Smoky Granite Mica is discontinued.
The Lexus RX 350 is a midsize luxury SUV and this vehicle offers excellent combination of performance and luxury. The car has undergone some changes in 2010 and these include sleeker exterior and spacious interior along with changes in some other aspects. The car will be one of the lexus cars to be released in the Indian market in 2010.
Lexus RX 350 Specification
The Lexus RX 350 review shows that the car comes with a 3500cc, V6 diesel engine. This engine can deliver power of 270 bhp at 6200 rpm and torque of 251 ft-lbs at 4700 rpm. The length of the car is 4729 mm and its width is 1844 mm while its height is 1678 mm. The car can seat 5 individuals comfortably.
Lexus knows what its customers like and seldom slips up when it introduces a new model. This solid competence was exemplified by the company's RX 300 luxury midsize SUV. As one of the first entries in the crossover luxury SUV segment, the RX provided a high seating position, available all-wheel drive and generous cargo capacity but without the typical truck-based SUV side effects of poor fuel economy and a stiff ride.
With its handsomely trimmed cabin, velvet-smooth powertrain and polished overall demeanor, the Lexus RX 300 had a lot going for it, especially for folks who prized a serene driving experience over a more sporting one. It quickly became a hit and during its run it was often not only Lexus' best-selling model, but also the top-selling luxury SUV in the United States as well.
