LEXUS RX 350

Lexus RX 350

You are never considered cool if you have never driven a Lexus. The RX 300 or also known as the Toyota Harrier is one of the coolest cars ever to grace the Kenyan soil.

Now Toyota has launched a new restyled version and I am pleased to say it even gotten cooler.

Feline like pose

The exterior of the all-new Lexus RX has a strong stance and new body design consisting of an inverted-trapezoid design in the front and the horizontally integrated rear. The headlights are made of LED low-beam and Halogen high-beam headlamps. An optional new automatic high-beam system detects light from oncoming vehicles, preceding vehicles or ambient sources and automatically switches from high to low beams.

New redesigned rear

Standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels complement the exterior with a strong and sporty look. Its distinctive design also allows for five percent more cargo volume and easier loading.

Drivers cockpit 

The third generation Lexus RX 350 is powered by a 275-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to an electrically controlled, sequential-shift six-speed transmission. The spacious five-passenger interior includes a new, thoughtfully constructed "dual-zone cockpit" design. This layout helps the driver navigate the advanced interior of the new Lexus RX, which features two distinct yet integrated zones: a "display zone" and an "operation zone."

DVD screens for the passengers

The "display zone" assists the driver via an eight-inch, navigation display that is set back in the dash for improved visibility. A white Organic LED multi-informational display ensures exceptional readability from a wide angle. An optional Heads-up Display reduces the need for excessive eye movement, and the use of high-intensity LEDs make the display bright enough to be read in direct sunlight.

The "operation zone" provides access and control to a large range of information through the available "Remote Touch" navigation controller and the steering-wheel-mounted multi-information switch. A camera located under the passenger side-view mirror helps the driver to check hard-to-view areas on the passenger side of the vehicle by simply selecting a button on the navigation screen or the steering wheel and view the camera image on the navigation screen.

Leather covered steering wheel

True to its heritage, the RX's active and passive safety systems like Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) seamlessly integrates individual systems like Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Hill Assist Control (HAC) and Traction Control (TRAC) to give it a smooth proactive steering and braking. This helps prevent skids while cornering before the vehicle reaches its operating limits on slippery roads or other challenging conditions.

New style nose

Safety features include a class-leading 10 standard airbags on the new RX, including dual-stage driver and front-passenger airbags (including the Lexus exclusive twin-chamber front-passenger airbag), driver and front-passenger knee airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side airbags, and side-curtain airbags. It is also equipped with Lexus' front-seat active headrests, designed to help reduce a possible whiplash injury when in certain lower speed collisions from the rear.

18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels

Price for the complicated but cool Lexus/Toyota Harrier start at Kshs 3 million excluding taxes. This am sure will be one of the cars that will grace my garage in the near future.