"I'm tired of driving a truck!" This has become an all-too-popular mantra, often uttered by folks who purchased a truck-based sport/utility and may not be enjoying the result. In truth, many people are buying more off-road and towing capability than they really need--and have begun to miss some of the carlike attributes they gave up in the exchange. Lexus was one of the first to recognize this and fired a rifle-shot into the marketplace called the RX 300, designed to hit the sport/utility target somewhere in between truck and car. We felt the results were impressive enough to name it our inaugural 1999 Sport/Utility of the Year.
Based on the popular ES 300 sedan, the RX offers most of the cues and packaging elements that are important to sport/utility users: the weather-be-damned security of optional all-wheel drive, a commanding view of the road, and a handy cargo area with fold-down rear seats. Yet it spares you some of the drawbacks. For example, the step-in height is lower than in most sport/utes, for easier entry and exit.
There's only one engine choice available. The 3.0-liter/220-horsepower DOHC all-aluminum V-6 cranks out power equaling that of many V-8s, and delivers it to the ground in very sophisticated fashion. It's smooth, revvy, quiet, and the VVT-i technology allows this V-6 to make a surprising 80 percent of its torque available as low as 1600 rpm. Freeway onramps are a breeze, as are most passing maneuvers.
The electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission (no manual is offered) even packs a Sport mode for more aggressive shifts. There is no transfer case or low range, as in most "pure" sport/utes. But this is by design, and in keeping with the RX 300's mission to excel in all-weather driveability and light-duty off-roading, as opposed to maximum rock crawling.
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