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Lexus RX 300 (2000-2003) Review

Category: Sporting 4x4s 3 out of 5

Summary of the Lexus RX 300 (2000-2003)

Price Range: No data available

Assets

Smart, discrete 4x4 with a bias towards on-road behaviour. Comfortable, luxurious interior with typically solid Lexus build quality.

Drawbacks

Forgotten in a marketplace that's now dominated by the X5, the Lexus has only one engine choice, others better it on and off road.

Verdict

The RX 300 was late to arrive in the UK due to the insatiable US demand. Arriving in 2000 its short reign as king of the luxury road-biased 4x4s was short due to the arrival of the BMW X5. Since then it's faded into obscurity.

Review

Reliability and Quality4 out of 5

The RX 300 has consistently performed well in reliability and quality surveys, and Lexus and Toyota are very highly-rated for customer satisfaction. It should be a dependable, reliable purchase, though be wary of imported Toyota Harriers with patchy history - make sure you know what you're getting, and pay accordingly (some Harriers are two-wheel drive only, and have a puny 2.0-litre engine). Check also for signs that an RX has been used for heavy towing or hard off-roading - though this is unlikely, as few will have done anything more demanding than the school run or motorway commuting. The only problems reported so far are pretty minor, such as prematurely-corroding alloy wheels and faulty brake lights. The RX is well-built with a solid-feeling cabin, all the switches and controls having the correct executive-car feel. The 3.0-litre V6 is super-refined and the automatic transmission shifts almost imperceptibly through its ratios, adding to the overall quality feel.

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Best Sporting 4x4s

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Winner:
Audi Q7
First runner up:
Range Rover Sport
Second runner up:
BMW X5

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