2013 Lexus RX 350

A Sporty Package Does Not Necessarily Make a Sporty Crossover To say that the Lexus RX crossover has been the brand's sales success is an understatement. Last month, the Japanese automaker sold 7,357 units out of the brand's 18,235 total sales – nearly every other vehicle leaving a Lexus showroom is an RX. Introduced in 1998, the RX immediately established a name for itself. While other automakers were still offering truck-like sport utility vehicles, Lexus built its new crossover on its ES sedan platform. Enthusiasts looked the other way, but the bulk of the marketplace embraced the new five-door with its very comfortable car-like ride, luxurious passenger accommodations and the brand's well-known levels of build quality and customer satisfaction. After just a few years on the market, Lexus was selling more than 100,000 units annually. Now in its third generation and facelifted for 2013, the RX seems to be pleasing everyone – except male buyers. Even though Lexus as a whole is targeted predominantly at men, it is a well-known fact that RX crossover buyers are mostly female. To capture an even larger share of the segment, Lexus needed to give its best-seller a shot of masculinity. Enter the 2013 RX 350 F Sport. The steering wheel has an F Sport badge and paddle shifters – an RX first. The 2013 RX 350 F Sport, introduced at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, is differentiated from the standard RX lineup by several significant alterations. Most obvious is the unique sport front bumper, mesh spindle grille and 19-inch alloy wheels finished in dark graphite. Inside, the F Sport cabin features black leather-trimmed seats (with contrasting white stitching), a black headliner and aluminum pedals. The steering wheel has an F Sport badge and paddle shifters – an RX first. Under the skin, there's an eight-speed automatic transmission exclusive to the F Sport (standard RX models still use a six-speed) and firmer F Sport suspension with front and rear performance dampers. Base price of the 2013 Lexus RX 350 is $39,310 (plus destination charges of $895), but the range-topping RX F Sport starts at $47,000 (plus destination). Aside from the aforementioned upgrades, the F Sport model also arrives with all of the features from the Premium and Comfort packages (e.g, power moonroof, electrochromatic mirrors, heated seats, HID headlamps, etc...) as standard equipment. Lastly, while the standard RX is offered with front- or all-wheel drive, the F Sport sends power to all wheels in standard configuration. Lexus says the RX 350 F Sport will hit 60 mph in 7.7 seconds and march on to a limited top speed of 112 mph. Aside from the eight-speed automatic, the powertrain is standard RX fare. Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 boasting intelligent dual variable valve timing with intelligence. It is rated at 270 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. Lexus says its electronically controlled Active Torque Control all-wheel drive system uses an electronically controlled coupling ahead …
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