2009 Lexus RX new model spied in Australia
February 17, 2009 by Paul Maric
Spotted at a service station near Toyota’s Melbourne headquarters, the all new Lexus RX350 has been taped up ahead of its Australian launch.
The new look Lexus RX range will feature the RX350 with carryover, 204kW V6 engine, along with the RX450h which will now use a 3.5-litre V6 engine, opposed to the outgoing 3.3-litre V6.
Needless to say, if you didn’t like the design of the outgoing RX range, you probably won’t like the design of the new RX. They look much the same with minor revisions to the headlights and tail lights.
Inside the cabin though, it seems a central i-Drive style system will be put to use to control the navigation and audio controls (seen by the palm curved object in the centre console).
It seems that the steering wheel controls have also changed, now including an additional menu control button. The RX350 pictured seems to be the Sports Luxury version which will also receive radar cruise control, allowing the driver to maintain a consistent distance between their vehicle and the car in front.
Print it: 
Heaps more recalls over here junior:
http://www.lemonauto.com/complaints/bmw/x5.htm
So you haven’t even got L plates yet?? Perhaps you are more qualified to be opinionated about pushbikes huh?
BTW i don’t know how bad your maths is but all those recalls aren’t as much as 367594
“BTW i don’t know how bad your maths is but all those recalls aren’t as much as 367594″
I see 3 recalls of the RX, and 11 recalls of the X5. That’s ok, you have english problems, and math problems too by the sounds of it.
Dan unfortunately I think you could be right about sales of Lexus RXs picking up when this new hideous model is released
Because like it or not 95-98% of Lexus owners are just like the regular Toyota owners in so much as that even though there ARE other cars out there that ARE better equipped with better performance not to mention better looks and better value for money.. They will buy the new RX because just lite their Toyota counterpatrts they are easily bamboozled by all the BS that the marketing department and the dealers tell them – very few of them do their research or even do fair and accurate comaprisons.
Ojh and then theres the fact that the other cars like the X5 are chepaer to insure repair and maintain
Dan – Lexus may have had 3 recalls compared to BMWs 11 However; the 3 recalls on the RX seruies involved mroe cars [overall] than the X5.. that’s where the 367.594 came from.. If youre a 6 figure accountant surely you would have been able to work that out.
“I see 3 recalls of the RX”
Really just the other minute you saw no recalls. You will also notice that it also affected Toyotas as well as Lexus because as much as you hate it their the same. Your just another Toyota driver and your posts show it. Well while I go improve my english and maths as you say, I suggest you get your vision checked and maybe then you will realise that all this time you had a Toyota in the garage.
I rest my case on that point and so go on and waste your time asking me if i have my L’s or maybe next you will ask me whats my favourite colour. You seem to have such a strong fascination about me. It’s really flattering but unfortunately I don’t think to high of you.
hahaha quote “Bavaria, please use some logic and common sense will you. It’s not hard. This same shape model has been around since back then, so of course sales drop at every models end of life cycle, even beemers! It will pick up back to the record levels when this new model goes on sale, guaranteed!
Still haven’t proven anything? X5 world sales 1.3M. RX US only sales 850K (plus the rest of the world). If that’s not proof enough, then take your blinkers off! The more you post the more you sound ridiculous!
Um did you read BMW sold 243,000 last year !sales drop hey !Geez mate duck and weave as much as you like but your just showing you cant qualify your statement except that Lexus sold 850k in the US……….BFD
Plus the rest of the world ………..aaaaaaaaand what would that be exactly Dan ???????? Seems your trying to recover,more smoke and mirrors to come I think from Dan.
Quote Zoomzoom
“BTW i don’t know how bad your maths is but all those recalls aren’t as much as 367594 ”
Hey Zoom he is meant to be an accountant. ARGHHHHHHHH
I think thats a nervous arse Zoomzoom,being nailed by a woman and school kid as he calls you is a little embarrassing for him.
Come on Dan wheres that evidence on Lexus being cheaper to maintain and that they have made more ? Jeez as everyone says,this looks like the last one .So why would anyone want the same old bland car.
Zoomzoom I feel he has had limited range of cars in his life,I doubt he has ever owned anything other than Toyotas and A Lexus !
May I just add my point of view, Dan, you are a child, grow up. On every post you seem to strive to create an argument. On this one it gets even worse, acting as if you are all high and mighty because you have an IS250, and think you are better than everyone because of this. Hate to burst your bubble here but that is no exotic car, most people could afford one if they really wanted. It is the bottom of the Lexus range, so it is like a 3 series driver talking down to people because of the badge when many people spend much more on a humble VW. So time to get off your high horse and constructively contribute to the forums instead of searching for a chance to argue.
“even though there ARE other cars out there that ARE better equipped”
At an extra 50K premium… FAIL!
“with better performance”
320i versus IS250… IS250 = better performance, FAIL again wheelnut
“and better value for money.. ”
HAHAHAHAHAHA, Right. It is universally known that any Lexus model presents a better value for money over its competitors, simply because it is like 30K cheaper than competition. What have you been smoking? All car journos will agree with me on that one mate. FAIL!
“very few of them do their research or even do fair and accurate comaprisons.”
Wow, very few sounds like a statistics term. Mind quoting a reference to that? Because for now it’s inadmissible haha. Besides, the fact that Lexus has such high customer retention is a big credit to them, and would be to any other car manufacturer. Using myself as an exaxmple, I checked out all competition before I settled on mine. You FAIL Wheelnut!
“Ojh and then theres the fact that the other cars like the X5 are chepaer to insure repair and maintain”
You know, I did an insurance quote few hours ago out of curiosity, the X5 was 300 bucks more expensive to insure. Also servicing is more expensive at BMW as well. FAIL!
Yeah Zoom I know he doesnt get his facts straight does he,he once stated that Chrysler owned Mercedes………till Wheelnut put him straight on that.
He is focusing on you Zoom to take the focus of himself being wrong………….simple as that !
Well Dan Wheels did a survey that proved otherwise. Your opinion is just that.
Insurance…………….depends on where you live your age and your insurer.
I go through Shannons but dont bother ringing them Dan cause you have to prove your a car enthusiast. Not sure if they insure Lexus owners.hahahaha
Couldn’t agree with you more there Bavarian Missile.
“Dan – Lexus may have had 3 recalls compared to BMWs 11 However; the 3 recalls on the RX seruies involved mroe cars [overall] than the X5.. that’s where the 367.594 came from.. If youre a 6 figure accountant surely you would have been able to work that out.”
More were sold, makes sense. The fact that there were only 3 issues wrong is where you should focus, as opposed to 11 with the X5. FAIL!
“You seem to have such a strong fascination about me. It’s really flattering but unfortunately I don’t think to high of you.”
Mate, I’m taking the piss. You don’t drive, hence your opinions are worthless to me, hence I think nothing of you. Hope that explains it.
“Um did you read BMW sold 243,000 last year !sales drop hey !Geez mate duck and weave as much as you like but your just showing you cant qualify your statement except that Lexus sold 850k in the US……….BFD”
Who cares what was last year. Last year’s sales are still part of the tolal number you have given me, which I also compared the X amount of RX’s sold. Hence it makes no difference how much was sold last year, as that is already accounted for in those comparison numbers. And I can’t be bothered looking up how much rest of the world sold. But given US is only one country, there’s still the 80 or so other coutnries where there have been sales at. Denial is a natural thing for you isn’t it?
“Come on Dan wheres that evidence on Lexus being cheaper to maintain”
Simple phonecall to a BMW dealer and Lexus dealer asking for a quote on a 100K service. Or 60K service. Whatever. BMW was much more expensive.
“Zoomzoom I feel he has had limited range of cars in his life,I doubt he has ever owned anything other than Toyotas and A Lexus !”
Ironically, I owned an E46 330ci as a daily before the IS. The bangled look lost me though. I think you have had linited range of cars also Bavaria, your blinkers prove it.
“Hey Zoom he is meant to be an accountant”
What’s the difference between 3 recalls, and 11 recalls? Hmmm… A first grader can work that out…
Tentacles, when did I mention in this thread that I own the IS250? In fact, it’s those muppets here that constantly bring it up, for whatever reason I don’t know.
You like using yourself as an example quite alot don’t you dan… Its almost as though:
if you didn’t know about it – read about it or hear about it.. then it didn’t happen – can’t happen or it won’t happen.
If it’s not in your garage or your backyard or your living room then its a heap of sh!t
If you didn’t do it – can’t do it or wouldn’t do it..
then it can’t be done or shouldn’t be done… but if you can do it or have done it then everyone else should do it.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion… so long as its the same as yours. isn’t that right Dan?
You are but one of the [approx] 21.5m people in Australia. and believe it or not Dan not everyone thinks the same way as you.. that’s what makes us individuals and NOT clones
“Insurance…………….depends on where you live your age and your insurer.”
LOL! Yes genius. But all factors being the same, ie same location, same age, same insurer, differnt car, I got a differnt quote, in RX’s favour. Would be curious to see what the Wheels mag came up with and how.
“I go through Shannons but dont bother ringing them Dan cause you have to prove your a car enthusiast. Not sure if they insure Lexus owners.hahahaha”
Another FAIL! Both my 180 and IS are with Shannons.
Wheelnut,
You like using yourself as an example quite alot don’t you… Its almost as though:
if you didn’t know about it – read about it or hear about it.. then it didn’t happen – can’t happen or it won’t happen.
If it’s not in your garage or your backyard or your living room then its a heap of sh!t
If you didn’t do it – can’t do it or wouldn’t do it..
then it can’t be done or shouldn’t be done… but if you can do it or have done it then everyone else should do it.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion… so long as its the same as yours. isn’t that right Wheelnut?
You are but one of the [approx] 21.5m people in Australia. and believe it or not Wheelnut, not everyone thinks the same way as you.. that’s what makes us individuals and NOT clones
Dan – Lexus may have sold more RXs than BMW sold X5s..
However; if their build quality was as “superior” as we are led to believe then only 36 cars should have been effected and not the 367,594 [if that].
It just shows that inorder to be number one Toyota/Lexus are now more focussed on Quantity rather than Quality which is what their reputation was supposedly built on.
Dan, I never said you had talked about your car on this thread, I have seen you talking about it on others though. Regardless of who talks about your car when, you have no justification for talking down to people when you are not so high and mighty yourself, that is all I was trying to get across.
Is that it Dan…………..your best come back ?
You said you were looking at buying a E46 M3 before the IS mate,so if you did have a 330 before hand and thought the rear end lost you why look at the same model,I thought you said before on another post you liked the look of the E46 ? Im confused……….
Once again you are ducking the maintenance issue,your opinion only ,I provided proof from a survey conducted,something Toyo and Lexus drivers hang their hats on normally! You still have shown nothing.
245,000 last year for BMW 84,000 for Lexus in the USA………cant be bothered….pfffttt you cant find them !
Mate Im sure Ive owned more luxury cars and performance cars in my last 25 years of driving than you will. Porsche 911,Mercedes 300CE,6 BMWs,2 FPV GT, 2 XA GTs ,A9X Torana,Brock Commodore,2 early SS Commodores,Volvo V70 2.5 T. There are more but not performance cars or Luxury…Now about those blinkers !
Here you go Dan a link just for you. Happy reading DUDE.
http://www.wheelsmag.com.au/Ro.....+2008.html
Youre right Tentacles; Dan regularly mentions that he owns a Lexus IS250 and that he is an accountant who earns a 6 figure salary [often without being asked] inorder to justigy himself and make him appear better than the rest of us.
I think its a form of insecurity / inferiority not to mention shows how ego-centric / materialistic people can be
Like some peope keep saying to themselves “I own a Lexus IS250.. I own a lexus IS250.. I own a Lexus IS250″ inorder to TRY and convince/re-assure themseleves that they made he right decision etc so they can feel good about themselves
If you have to keep doing that – then you’ve probably made the wrong decision
“Mate, I’m taking the piss. You don’t drive, hence your opinions are worthless to me, hence I think nothing of you. Hope that explains it.”
Whatever. I don’t recall ever saying that I don’t drive. Point is that I do and my opinion seems to be tarnishing the image of your beloved car. It must be hurting now because its the only reason you are posting the crap you say.
Wheelnut:
“I own a Lexus IS250.. I own a lexus IS250.. I own a Lexus IS250″ inorder to TRY and convince/re-assure themseleves that they made he right decision etc so they can feel good about themselves”
LMFAO, so true
Just read through the posts and had to laugh. How is Dan any different from you guys paying out on him? He is defending a brand that he obviously likes from the usual bashers that hang around here. I would be curious to know how many people bagging Lexus have actually driven one? And as for Lexus people never bothering to look at other brands as they ‘must have a Lexus’, once again, how is this different from any other brand loyalists out there?
Good on ya Dan for having a crack.
SteveH,my reply to you is here somewhere,hang on Ill find it.
Quote “SteveH Says:
February 17th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Quote “I also doubt a BMW X5 is cheaper to maintain.”
Reply “Wheels magazine recently conducted an evaluation to determine which cars offered the best value in their respective classes. Wheels Magazine “Gold Star Cars” report assessed nearly 100 cars on criteria such as purchase price, retained value, insurance costs, fuel efficiency, warranty and servicing. Outstandingly, BMW was voted the winner in eight of the ten categories relevant to BMW, claiming victory with the 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, X5 and Z4.
Why would we drive one Steve,you first have to attracted to a car through looks dont you,havent found one I like yet.
Paying out on Dan………hahaha dont make me laugh,the guy starts a fight on most threads,go read some of his comments on Mazdas Holdens,Hyundais,Kias………
Hey Dan…should have already got your launch invite in the mail. I did even though I got rid of the POS IS200 over a year ago.
****
Bet all of ya can’t afford it. Every free dress day I would come in uniform then I won’t have to pay and by year 12 I would save like 20 dollars mate and then all of you will come to me and say:” Can aye have 20 barks to get a Lexus Arr-Exx three-hundread mate?” and then I would say no because you spent your money on that old VE Commodore Aussie piece of crap and you have noo money. Ha! Ha!
Woah! Quite a read eh?
New lexus Rx. Doesn’t look too bad, doesn’t look that great either. It’ll probably sell okay. Personally, it doesn’t do it for me. There’s nothing really there that sets it apart from the competition. Thats the problem i have with toyotas and lexus. I don’t love them, but i don’t hate them. They do what they’re supposed to do and thats about it. They don’t really have that something ’special’. I could roam around the toyota/lexus dealer all day and still walk out with just a ‘meh’. At the end of the day, the RX is still a good SUV, but its really down to personal opinion.
If i were to choose an SUV to ride in as a passenger? I’d take the RX. If i had to drive? Definitely the X5.
Bet all of ya can’t afford it. Every free dress day I would come in uniform then I won’t have to pay and by year 12 I would save like 20 dollars mate and then all of you will come to me and say:” Can aye have 20 barks to get a Lexus Arr-Exx three-hundread mate?” and then I would say no because you spent your money on that old VE Commodore Aussie piece of crap and you have noo money. Ha! Ha!
“It just shows that inorder to be number one Toyota/Lexus are now more focussed on Quantity rather than Quality which is what their reputation was supposedly built on.”
Whatever. You’re entitled to your opinion, even though it’s wrong. So many muppets out there with strong opinions about a cars they’ve never been in. If beemer were so good quality thre wouldn’t be hundreds of thousands of them recalled either would they? SO you are paying more money, for a car with three times more recalls. Fail!
Tentacles, I’ll say it again in case you haven’t read my prior post properly. I mentioned I had one in one of the threads. From then on, other muppets who I won’t name (take a guess) constantly bring it up. One thread I mentioned it. If you reckon there were more, please post links to more than the one thread to prove it.
“You said you were looking at buying a E46 M3 before the IS mate,so if you did have a 330 before hand and thought the rear end lost you why look at the same model,I thought you said before on another post you liked the look of the E46 ? Im confused……….”
Look, seriously get some glasses. No idea what you’re on about. Yes, I’ve had the E46 330ci, which I liked lots. When there was a time to upgrade, all BMW were offering were the current ugly ‘bangled’ ones. E46 M3 isn’t ‘bangled’ is it? But I needed a newer car, so new 3 series BMW was out of the question, as I hate its looks, they look aweful! Does that explain it clearly enough or will you be confused again about it next week?
“Mate Im sure Ive owned more luxury cars and performance cars in my last 25 years of driving than you will.”
LOL! Ok… I find two things funny (and sad at the same time) with this. One. In regards to your 25 years of driving bit. Congratulations, you are nearly 50 and obviously have matured physically… however mentally, I’m not so sure. Coz if you were, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. Bling bling yo! Two. you are ’sure’ that I will not own sweet cars in the next 25 years myself? What are you a prophet? That is one dumb statement you made right there.
“Dan regularly mentions that he owns a Lexus IS250 and that he is an accountant who earns a 6 figure salary [often without being asked]”
LOL! Prove it! Post links to other threads where I have? Only one I mentioned it. Form then on, you guys keep bringing it up, not me. Like in this thread. I have no idea why you would constantly be bringing it up, I guess you are jealous, that’s the only way to explain your fascination with me.
“Whatever. I don’t recall ever saying that I don’t drive.”
Dude, you’re 16. Not even on P plates. You sure drive with an instructor, but that’s not actually driving is it. When you get a clue and experience (and learn to spell), come back junior.
“I got rid of the POS IS200 over a year ago.”
LOL! It indeed was a POS! Slower than anything. And you actually bought one??? Should have bought the 2J bro!
“the guy starts a fight on most threads,go read some of his comments on Mazdas Holdens,Hyundais,Kias……… ”
Haha, just like what you do in Toyota and Lexus articles. Go read some, it’s always you who starts them.
“Good on ya Dan for having a crack.”
Cheers! :) It’s all fun. Plenty of facepalm moments! There seems to be the same people over and over again, in the whole grand scheme of things, their opinions aren’t worth much on here. It is pathetic though. Constant toyo and lexus bashing. I think they must be very insecure. Each time I see a toyo and lexus article, I know what to expect even before I click on it. Ah well, not everyone can have a life I suppose…
Bavaria, you are a troll.
Have a good day.
the world according to dan,god help us all
I have read the Wheels ratings and don’t see any mention of the Lexus. They musn’t rate the Lexus, but thats their opinion. I will say again that I would think the Lexus would be cheaper to maintain, ie Service costs. Using Wheels’ own rating system, they say that the more frequently a vehicle needs to be serviced, the greater the inconvenience for the owner as they lose time taking the vehicle in and picking it up. Lexus come and collect the vehicle from you, leave a loan car and then drop the car off at the end of the day. Also, to my knowledge, Lexus offer a 4 year warranty, whereas BMW is only three.
Steve theres nothing to say Lexus wasnt judged,the IS250 was in the medium Luxury cars, came 3rd.
Warranty,yeah Hyundais have 5 years.So !
Dan you really need to start to learn when your beaten mate,you stated quote “I think you have had linited range of cars also Bavaria, your blinkers prove it.”
I provide you a list of cars I have had in my life but then you come back with ,
“you are ’sure’ that I will not own sweet cars in the next 25 years myself? What are you a prophet? That is one dumb statement you made right there.”
For a start Im not 50,secondly most of those cars including the Porsche I had before I was 25 , Im guessing your older than 25 ……………Still think Ive had a limited range of car Dan,thought not!
Heres a link that may interest you,see how smart you are!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/.....3632716504
“Bavaria, you are a troll.”
Agreed!
“Steve theres nothing to say Lexus wasnt judged,the IS250 was in the medium Luxury cars, came 3rd.”
Comparing a low range 3 series versus top of the range IS is a bit skewed don’t you think? In fact, it is so inconsistent, when Wheels compared the 3 series versus the IS in previous occasions (on the same level, not base vs top of the range) the result was in favour of the lex. Apples with apples.
SteveH is correct. It is well known that the Lexus servicing is the best, most easy and hassle free out of all the brands. Free pick up of the car from home or work, they leave you with another complimentary Lexus to use in the meantime, full tank of fuel, use as much as you want. Once finished, they drop off your car back to you and collect their vehicle. 15,000 km / 12 month service increments are a plus also. Not to mention that servicing costs are lower as well. I owned a 330Ci beemer, so I’ve been on both sides of the fence. Lexus absolutely owns beemer int he service dept, as experienced first hand.
“Dan you really need to start to learn when your beaten mate”
LOL! Your lack of maturity shines heaps right there. Almost on par with the 16 year old kid. 45 or 50 yo, same thing. I do genuinely feel sorry for you though, how you need to justify yourself by bragging about cars you’ve owned, as if that automatically makes you less of a troll. Well, you’re wrong, you still are. And by the way, I see all sorts of Porsches going for cheap these days. It’s not like I can’t afford one. I just don’t want one. And you still got blinkers on by the way!
“Heres a link that may interest you,see how smart you are!”
Car Advice facebook page??? I can’t see any IQ tests on there, what are you on about??
“ZoomZoom -> “petafile”?? Seriously, were you attempting to call someone a pedophile in a debate about cars? Ok, two things: a) how old are you? and b) learn to spell. Its rally not that hard or scary. Hell, buy a dictionary! ”
He’s a 16 year old very immature kid who is on L’s at the moment (he confirmed that a week ago), who happens to be very opinionated about things he has no idea about, bascailly. I just ignore his comments, but sometimes it’s just hard not to laugh at him.
Tim has been reported for the name calling Dan and seems when your agitated you do the same,what was that about maturity?
Yeah sure you are Dan,your sitting there wondering how did she get a New 911 when she was 21 ?hahaha
You dont like Wheels results cause there not the ones you wanted,once again just for you “BMW was voted the winner in eight of the ten categories relevant to BMW,”
Report assessed nearly 100 cars on criteria such as purchase price, retained value, insurance costs, fuel efficiency, warranty and servicing .
How many did Lexus win ?
Just interested when they calculate the retained value on BMW’s, do they take into account the exorbitant option costs? I would be interested to see the retained value on a BMW with no options whatsoever. (Do they exist???) Also, hanging your hat on a Wheels test is no great thing. Didn’t they award car of the year to the Holden Camira and Mitsubihi Nimbus at some stage?
LOL! SteveH is right. It’s not like Wheels have got it right all the time. Didn’t they also award the VN a COTY back in the day? They even praised the good old EA as an excellent car also. But yes, the Camira example was a classic. Wheels also did a comparison test not so long ago, and judging the same criteria, the lex won. Based on those, their opinion is rather questionable, and not consistent either. But hey, if you want to believe in fairies, go ahead Bavaria.
Bavaria, I can also claim I got a brand new Porsche for my 18th birthday. But I can’t be bothered. So there. If you think I’m in any way jealous of your immature and unrealistic bragging, where I really couldn’t care less if you also had a pony when you were 10, then I’m sorry to disappoint you but I am not in any way impressed (does the term ‘facepalm’ mean anything to you?), but you are making yourself look more and more ridiculous with every new post.
quote “john a Says:
February 19th, 2009 at 1:13 am
the world according to dan,god help us all
Absolutely!
LOL! Are you out of pointless come backs? Or are you also going to mention you have also bought a learjet at the age of 22 Bavaria? Because, we are so impressed with your ‘credible achievements’ you know…
Dan ,Ill be a lady and let you have the last word cause it seems you cant stop !hahahaha
Finally, job’s done.
Back on topic, just to recap. Car looks great. Lot’s of soccer mums (the target market) will love it. It will be a sales success like the previous one. :P
*grin* Nope, car looks like crap, like something that melted in a microwave.
But I agree with you on the sales point. It will sell well. Its a conservative looking car for a conservative market and there are large numbers of people out there that have a burning need to buy an SUV despite the fact that an actual car would serve their needs better.
Besides, there’s no shortage of cashed-up twits with their taste up their arse. ;-D
“there are large numbers of people out there that have a burning need to buy an SUV despite the fact that an actual car would serve their needs better.”
I both agree and disagree with you there. There’s large amount of twits who buy these cars for no other reason than to have an SUV but not going off road. Some aren’t even designed to go off road, like the 2WD territory. Then there’s people who have a family and need the space, where a sedan or station wagon would not do the job as well as an SUV would. They also feel more secure in an SUV, which can be debatable though.
Hey, I have perfect spelling and I’m doing a 3-year VCE, unlike you uneducated Aussie bogan. And also, stop buying Australian cars, start buying imports.