L.A. Auto Show: Lexus’ popular pug goes mainstream

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Since every other review of Lexus’ debut of their 2010 RX line will focus on the fact that 20 years ago this fall Lexus introduced their “L” logo (but no car) to the public , we’ll skip that part and go directly to the part where we tell you the quirky styling of the RX line is no more. Buying a 2010 RX 350 or RX 450h will now net you what appears to be only a slight variation of the 2009 Toyota Venza in the front, and some amalgamation of a Mazda CX-9/Buick Enclave in the rear.

Yes, the styling is handsome, but gone are the progressive, swooping headlights and the bug-eyed taillights that set this precedent-setting car-based SUV apart from its competitors. It will be a lot harder to distinguish your Lex at the mall parking lot now. It will, however, be marginally easier to distinguish the RX 350 from its ecologically compassionate brother the RX 450h…

…as the hybrid version has its own grill, front bumper, badges, wheels and headlights that mimic those found on the Lexus LS 600h.

Under the hood, the 450h’s compassion manifests itself in an all-new 3.5-liter V6 gas engine paired with a Lexus Hybrid Drive system for a total of 295 hp, up 27 from the current 400h. Lexus says they’ve added a few more tricks involving the exhaust (no, not a turbo) that give an 8% increase over the 400h’s fuel economy. Based on EPA estimates, this means a jump from 25 mpg to 27 mpg (combined).

For 2010, the RX 350 engine is massaged for an extra 5 hp, bringing its total to 275. The 350 also gets an upgraded tranny, in the form of a 6-speed automatic.

Head inside and you find what appears to have been the runner-up in the Venza styling competition, and not in a good way. It looks like Lexus designers tried to distinguish between what the driver could touch and what the front passenger could touch, like children fighting over space in the back seat…don’t cross this line.

What everyone will want to touch is what Lexus calls “Remote Touch.” It looks like someone super-glued a roller-ball mouse to the center console, right where the driver would rest his or her hand. Your thumb rests on a large ‘Enter’ button, and your index and middle finger control a stubby, square joystick-like piece. Above your fingers are buttons for ‘Menu,’ ‘Map’ and toggle buttons.

If the actual device works like the model Lexus had on hand to try out, this could easily be the interior’s high point. The joystick controller has just enough friction to maintain control while driving down the road, and better yet, the tension on the controller is adjustable in case you’ve had one cafe latte too many.

Lexus says the RX has been the best-selling luxury SUV on the market, which is true if you ignore the fact that the government considers it a crossover. Now that the styling has gone mainstream, these figures shouldn’t be hard to maintain. We’ll just miss the pug styling.

--David Undercoffler

Photos courtesy of Lexus