The latest Consumer Reports just came and once again the have the RX330/RX400H and Highlander as the best of the mid-sized SUV's.
That may be true, but the fact remains that Lexus missed the boat in a several ways with the 330.
For`example, the rear window does not open. that means you must open the entire hatch to access the cargo area. An annoyance given how slow it opens. Further, it means that you pretty much are out of luck if you have a bike on a hitch as the door will hit the bike rack when it opens.
The cargo area is actually quite small unless you drop the rear seats. But they do fold flat because Lexus failed to design the rear seat lower cushions so they can flip forward. GM managed to put that basic feature in the competing SRX, which has more room to start with.. Why not Lexus?
The hood falls away so quickly, that it is hard to have any confidence when maneuvering in tight quarters. They put a video camera in the back. They should have had one on the right front, as well.
Why bother with the sliding rear seats? Would have been just as good setting them to mid travel and saving the expensive of the sliding bases.
Why bother with the sliding front center console? What good does it do?
The need to "I agree" to the navigation prompt EVERY TIME YOU TURN ON THE ENGINE is enough to drive anyone nuts. This is nanny state to an absurd extent.
Don't get me wrong, it's a nice car and I'm glad we got it, but I would be more glad if Lexus had not stopped thinking as soon as they did.
- GRL