Excellent Pair of 2010 SUVs from Lexus: RX 350 and RX 450h get high mark

While the offbeat cars were stealing the scenes at the LA Auto Show, luxury icons like Lexus had their moments, too. There was a huge crowd at the debut of two all-new SUVs, the 2010 RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid. We’ll be doing First Drives on both of these SUVs in early January.

With all the recent attention on new hybrids, it’s easy to forget that Lexus has had a hybrid long enough for this latest model to be second generation. The RX 450h uses a 3.5-liter V6 with a new and more efficient hybrid motor making a combined 295 horsepower, about 10 percent more than the RX 400 it replaces. Its system can be either front-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive, using a rear-mounted motor that allows all four wheels to perform regenerative braking to charge the battery.

The RX 350 begins its third generation, using that V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic, with available all-wheel drive. Both cars use a new double-wishbone rear suspension with revised strut mounting to provide a bit more cargo volume and easier loading.

Styling of the RX 450h is distinctive, including an exclusive grille and front bumper, 19-inch wheels and optional LED headlamps.

Both cars feature state-of-the art electronic functions and safety features. There isn’t a car on the road that does more for you. The stability control system, called VDIM for Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, is staggering in its capability to keep the car under control. Inside the cabin there’s a Remote Touch controller that Lexus promises will be intuitive. Maybe, but we’ll see; they haven’t encountered our bedrock basic intuition yet. Same with the voice recognition, which Lexus says will acknowledge conversational commands. Such as, we wonder: “You moron talking-back robot, I didn’t say, ’Turn up the volume,’ I said, ’Turn down the heat!’”

We look forward to being pleasantly surprised.