Fast facts
‘ Model: 2016 Lexus RX 350 4×4 ‘ Exterior color: Eminent White Pearl ‘ Interior color: Parchment ‘ Engine: 3.5-liter V-6 ‘ Horsepower: 295 ‘ Transmission: eight-speed automatic ‘ Fuel economy: 26 mpg highway, 19 mpg city ‘ Dealer: Lexus of Chattanooga ‘ Price (as tested): $54,043
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Every auto brand has its bell cow vehicle, its bread-and-butter product.
For Lexus, it’s the RX crossover, which laid the foundation for the luxury SUV market when it was introduced 17 years ago. Lexus guessed – correctly, as it turned out – that American customers would embrace a five-passenger utility vehicle with elevated seating, ample cargo space and the road manners of a luxury sedan.
Today, Lexus typicality sells north of 100,000 RXs a year, so redesigning the crossover is a very big deal, and one that is executed with special care. Well, the fourth-generation 2016 RX has landed in Chattanooga, and we are happy to report Lexus has injected more personality into the crossover while preserving its intrinsic goodness.
ove an Eminent White Pearl 2016 RX 350 provided by Lexus of Chattanooga, which involved a bit of magic timing since these early 2016 models are typically scooped up almost as soon as they drop on dealer lots.