The 2006 Lexus RX 330 is available with a choice of front-wheel drive ($36,370) or all-wheel drive ($37,770). Both are powered by a sophisticated dual overhead-cam V6 engine with variable valve timing, driving through a five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. (Lexus also builds a hybrid version called the RX 400h, which we have reviewed separately.)
The RX 330's list of standard luxuries is long, and includes automatic climate control, premium audio, cruise control, traction and stability control, privacy glass, automatic headlamps, ten-way power for both front seats, wood and leather trim for the steering wheel and shift knob, a power rear liftgate, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. Cloth upholstery comes standard.
The Premium Package ($2,145) includes leather upholstery, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, roof rack, and a one-touch moonroof. The Premium Plus Package ($2,960) adds to that high-intensity discharge headlamps with an adaptive front lighting system and a steering wheel trimmed in wood and leather. The Performance Package ($4,675) includes all of the items in the Premium Package, plus 18-inch graphite-colored aluminum alloy wheels with P235/55R18 tires, height-adjustable air suspension, sequential-shifting transmission, rain-sensing wipers, the HID headlamps with AFS, and a power rear liftgate. (Some of these packages may change.)
Open-sky enthusiasts who aren't content with the optional moonroof can opt for a giant multi-panel moonroof, which comes bundled with leather-trimmed upholstery and other features ($3,740). The navigation system ($2,350) was updated for 2005 with Bluetooth, voice activation and improved graphics, and now comes with a rear-view camera that projects an image of much of what's behind whenever reverse is selected. Dynamic cruise control, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a six-disc CD changer are also available. XM Satellite Radio is offered as a dealer-installed option, and Lexus says that Sirius Satellite Radio will be added as an alternative sometime during the 2006 model year.
Safety features that come standard include dual frontal airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags (for torso protection), side curtain airbags (for head protection), plus a driver's knee bag. The side curtain airbags extend to help protect rear-seat passengers as well, and respond to a rollover sensor in addition to the usual decelerometer.