2009 Lexus RX 350 details and pricing
February 18, 2009 by George Skentzos
Lexus has launched its all-new RX model in Australia, representing the first update to the range since it was introduced in 2003.
Available in showrooms from next month, the 2009 Lexus RX boasts a number of new features and innovations aimed at creating the perfect luxury SUV.
Its exterior design has received a major overhaul which delivers a comparatively low drag coefficient for an SUV of 0.33 combined with acoustic glass to reduce wind and outside noise to a whisper.
“The RX has been completely redesigned with an attention to detail that pushed for efficiency, comfort and safety every step of the way.” Lexus Chief Executive John Roca said.
The three model grades are Prestige, Sports and Sports Luxury.
The Prestige model has the option of power tilt and slide moonroof while the Sports model has the additional features of moonroof, shadow chrome 19-inch alloy wheels, Pre-Collision System (PCS) and radar Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
The range-topping Sports Luxury model has the additional exterior features over the Sports model of bright chrome 19-inch alloy wheels, intelligent adaptive headlamps (i-AFS), heated electro-chromatic exterior mirrors with memory, side-view camera, and clearance/reversing sonar.
Currently only the RX 350 model will be available from launch which boasts a 3.5-litre dual VVT-i engine which develops 204kW and peak torque of 346Nm from 2300rpm.
This figure represents a 15Nm increase over its predecessor which delivering an improvement in fuel efficiency of 3.5 per cent to 10.8-litres per 100km, compared with 11.2-litres per 100km for the superseded model.
Lexus’ new generation six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with artificial intelligence and a sequential-style manual gear select shift replaces the previous five-speed transmission.
In addition to increased efficiency, this new transmission is lighter and shorter than the previous unit, allowing engineers to lower the position of the engine to improve the new vehicle’s centre of gravity.
Inside, the 2009 Lexus RX boasts a completely new cabin design, using a real wood instrument panel and console, semi-Analine leather seat trim, heated and air-cooled driver and passenger front seats, rear guide assist for the reversing screen, ten-way power driver and passenger front seats, heads-up display and credit card sized key.
In order to overcome issues such as the distance of the information screen from the driver and fingermarks, the new system features a mouse, menu and map buttons, along with a side-mounted display and dual enter switches to assist driver or passenger operations.
The Lexus Remote Touch system features a twin axis force feedback ergonomic mouse that allows users to easily identify and select the desired function on the multi-information display.
From here, owners can customise various functions such as the display height for the Head Up Display (HUD), exit assist for driver seat, door unlock and lock sequence and exterior light sequence on approach.
Designed with comfort as a priority, the new RX 350 also offers an improved climate control system which offers numerous functional and technical improvements over the previous model.
Premium sound for the Prestige and Sports models incorporates a 12-speaker Lexus sound system while the Sports Luxury model boasts a signature Mark Levinson premium surround sound system with 15 speakers, delivering 7.1 channel Dolby digital playback as an optional feature.
Standard safety incorporates an improved two-stage driver’s SRS airbag, a newly adopted twin-chamber front passenger’s SRS airbag and full-length side curtain-shield airbags for a total of ten airbags throughout the vehicle.
The new RX 350 also has newly adopted active front-seat head restraints and rear-outboard seat pretensioning seatbelts with force limiters.
Lexus Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM) features as standard on all models, combining vehicle stability control with cooperative steering function (VSC+), Traction Control (TRC), ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Lexus Brake Assist.
The 2009 Lexus RX 350 will be priced from $81,900 for the Prestige, $88,900 for the Sports, while the line-up will be topped by the Sports Luxury at $97,900.
Print it: 
“Dan,
I know, i even have more imaginary friends than you do.
Some say i can close a sale with just my eye brows and that when i snore it sounds like the old Kiiiiiiiiia ads. All you need to know is that I am called THE SALESMAN!!!!!!! ”
I see, that explains it… Have you taken your medications today?
Just as I thought Salesman hes got nothing as usual,all his opinions no back up of facts.
Salesman Id give you Alborz email address to complain to him about ,but Ive already done it.
He goes to abuse as soon as hes nailed.
Still waiting on the facts on why a Lexus is superior Dan.
LOL! All you have is opinions, and wrong ones for that matter. Like muppets who reckon Lex uses fake wood…
What facts would you like me to back up by the way? That they use real wood for example? It’s all on their website, take a look. Sit down in the car and take a look.
“Still waiting on the facts on why a Lexus is superior Dan.”
Superior in what? To what? How? Facts for what? You ask a question with no real direction to anything.
I don’t drive toyotas,I find I fall asleep at the wheel.
“Dan you are so pathetic. Grow up man. This is a Lexus article yet you mention Kia (yes you first) to try and spark outrage. You say that “we” all think the comments made by Bavarian Missile are ridiculous but this “we” seems only to involve you.
Theres also nothing luxurious about this car. It basically uses the same engine found in an aurion, tarago or kluger. No doubt the rest is as well.
To sum it up to you its a 4WD Tarago or a highly polished Kluger, though I guess the centre consoles in the tarago and kluger don’t make you vomit everytime you see it.”
(look i’ve even included quotation marks so you can copy and cry your heart out mate.)
“With that and the horrid wood, no one with any taste would ever buy one…”
Right. Then how come BMW, Audi, Merc, all chuck in wood as well?? Your post has failed…
Dan,
Wow – real wood that looks like it is fake…
The sort of engineering that Lexus is superior in ?
Yes, BMW/Audi/Volvo etc have wood too – but at least you get a choice to have something more tasteful instead…
Dan the RX is an SUV isn’t it???
Therefore as an SUV it should have some Sport Utility ability should it not?? I mean R.J. Pound list it in the SUV Luxury section of the price guide, just above the LX570. Actually in the same section as the Range Rover Sport. So why wouldn’t it be able to do what it’s targeted competitors do? Or are you saying it’s not as good as an X5 or the vehciles I mentioned? But you noticed I also mentioned the Vovlvo’s before talking off road ability as I would expect them to also be limited, but still beachable or Fire trail friendly otherwise the vehicle makes NO Sense! If what you say is true, and this vehicle is for the soccer mums, it has Epic fail written on it because tha important thing for soccer mums is seats. Five seats will not cut it in that market, they’d be better off spending their hard earned on an IS250 and bus fares.
Let me see, by your own reasoning then, this ca.. Vehicle has NO offroad ability, so therefor it fails as an SUV. It is designed for the soccer mums but cant carry the team, so it fails there. Has a high centre of gravity so cannot be a sport hatch. Has Suv style suspension so cannot be truly luxurious (like even a GS) so fails as a luxury car. So where does this vehicle beat its opposition? Where does this vehicle stand out? What makes this vehicle even relevant? Oh that’s right it uses real would and all timber is from the one tree so that it matches (that’s enviromentally friendly isn’t it). I’m sorry but all of your arguments toward this vehicle have actually made me dislike it even more.
“Wow – real wood that looks like it is fake…”
Wow, and you can tell all that from a tiny photo?? Without seeig it, touching it in person? I corrected you on factual details mate, suck it up, you were wrong. You FAIL! Get on with life.
Gee … alot of bad news associated with GM plaguing the net, not long now !!!!!
Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock …….
Frontman, you have so missed the mark with your comment… Firstly, with what you have said here:
“Has Suv style suspension so cannot be truly luxurious (like even a GS) so fails as a luxury car.”
ANother example, that you have never driven the RX. I have. And I can tell you it is VERY comfy. So comfy in fact, if I was to choose a car to sit in for ten hours at a time, this would be one of the cars I’d pick.
At the end of the day, your comments about this car don’t mean much. You haven’t driven it. You haven’t sat in it. You haven’t got any experience with it, in fact, you have so little idea about this car, its uses, and who it is aimed at, how it works, and how it feels, I really see no point wearing out my keyboard on you. The fact that this car is so popular, with so many people buying it, and having a good resale, means that whatever it is that it does, it does it very well. And I really coudln’t care less if you like it or not, you and the other small bunch of ignorant people, will always have something negative to say about it (and mostly based on ignorance as well, like with the false fake wood comment) so why bother with this?
Why do I have to keep repeating myself to this guy ?
Dans says “However the LX would absolutely own the Landrover and Volvo in any terrain.”
Please can you provide some evidence to back your OPINION up!
Can you understand that?
Ok… you know, I know, everyone knows, the LX is based ont he legendary king of terrain, called the mighty Landruiser. ASk any 4WD enthusiast what they would pick to go into terrain. That in fact is not my opinion, it is an opinion that is common knowledge. As if you;d take a Volvo over a Landrusier.
You got owned again ma’am.
Nice retort Dan, Not quite right but nice retort. Driven, this model NO! Previous model? Yes Plenty of times even sold the things (as a weekend contracted sales person during Lexathons. In a southern state dealership)
Did you notice I didn’t say it was uncomfortable, I just said factually that it has SUV suspension that limits it from being truly luxurious!!! I even said that the GS would be more comfortable.
So your comment are becomming less relevant and sounding like a desperate child trying to validate a lie. Now whilst I dont believe you are like that, perhaps you should actually read what people are saying, dont make assumptions about what people do or have done and accept that whilst they are quite good, Lexus are not infaliable! They are good cars, not Great Cars.
Yeah once again his opinion,is the Lexus a Landcruiser now !
You got owned Dan you have provided NOTHING !Again! Just opinions! We wants some facts for once from you!
the LX is based ont he legendary king of terrain, called the mighty Landruiser. ASk any 4WD enthusiast what they would pick to go into terrain.
Hmm and 60% of defence forces around the world use Land Rover product or Mercedes Benz!! Why is that Dan?? Surely the British SAS or The Australian SAS would want to use the absolute best equipment wouldn’t they?
Same as the Snowy River was apparently built on the back of a Landcruiser… yet every Photo I have seen of teh system has had either WW2 surplus willy’s Jeeps or Series 2 Landrovers in them………. Sorry who got “owned”. Stick to the topic and stop playing with your “twin axis force feedback ergonomic mouse”
Oh BTW I’m sure you are aware that the Nissan Bluebird had HUD in the early nineties, so another great inovation
If The Lex-cruiser is so superior and so dominant then… tell me: How many Dakar Rallies have Lexus won? and How many of them do the US British Canadian German and Austrlaian Armed Forces use?
Of late the Dakkar has een dominated by the Pajero whilst
The British Army prefer Land Rovers as does the Australian Army.. whilst The Yanks use the Hummer.
Other Alternatives to the Lex-cruiser include the Bowler; The Oke and not to mention the TATRA.
Dan says,
Ok… you know, I know, everyone knows, the LX is based ont the legendary king of terrain, called the mighty Landruiser
Salesman says,
I thought Lexus was a completely separate entity?
settle down kiddies :-)
hahaha Thats what I just said Salesman,only when it suits him though!
He drives a RWD Camry dont you know!
Dan,
You have proved you know nothing about anything.
A LX is based on the Landcruiser ? It is actually a glorified Camry Wagon…
I just can’t be bothered arguing with you but Christ you sure know how to stir people up (the ones trying to knock some sense into you…)
Frontman – The handful Toyo-philes on this site nowy like to bring up Toyotas involvement in the Snowy Mountain River Scheme to try and show how important Toyota is to Australia and how much of an impact Toyota has had on Australian History etc..
However; what they don’t appear realise [or should that be want to realise] is that there were actually more VWs used on the Snowy River Scheme for a number of reasons.. they weight less they were air cooled and they were narrower s they could make it down the tight twisty tracks
LX – restyled ‘Cruiser
RX – rebodied Kluger (which is effectively a Camry wagon)
RX has NO off the blacktop credentials.
“A LX is based on the Landcruiser ? It is actually a glorified Camry Wagon…”
LX is a camry wagon?? You didn’t get a high score in your IQ test did you?
“RX has NO off the blacktop credentials.”
That’s right. Like I said previously, it’s not even marketed towards any off road activity. It’s AWD, yes, but has as much off road cred as a Liberty wagon. Even the tyres sold on it are not off road. But there’s obviously a market that buys these cars but never goes off road. And that’s it.
“You got owned Dan you have provided NOTHING !Again! Just opinions! We wants some facts for once from you!”
Dear Boganville Missile, I don’t have to prove anything to you.
Awww Crud….spam word Lexus so I had to make a comment :[
Dan……. Look at the dates man!!!!! Move on will ya this ones done and dusted…………
Just got back from a long holiday. Still living in the past man ;P