Lexus RX 350

There are several small, luxury crossover SUVs that will be introduced and sold this year.  An article by Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press talks about three models in particular that will be offered.  The first one, shown above, is the 2010 Lexus RX 350.  This vehicle will be sold soon and even though it looks the same, it is all new.  Some of the new features of the Lexus RX 350 are a voice-controlled navigation, a USB connection for music devices, and a joystick mounted on the center console to control climate and auto systems.  The Lexus will have a 275 horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine.  It should get about 21 mpg on the highway.  The sticker price will be $36,800 for the front-drive model, and $38,200 for the all-wheel drive model.  There will also be a gasoline-electric hybrid offered in the Lexus RX 350 as well. 

Another small crossover SUV that is coming out this year is the Cadillac SRX.  It was made to compete with the Lexus RX 350.  According to Phelan, the “five-seat crossover has a more dynamic look than the larger model it replaces.”  The Cadillac SRX has a 265 horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 engine or a 300 horsepower turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine that was designed to ”boost performance but keep good fuel economy.”  The gas mileage on the Cadillac SRX should be in the mid-20s, which will put this vehicle at or near the top of its class.   The SRX will be available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.  This vehicle will go on sale in the spring and the price has not been announced, but it should be competitive with the Lexus RX 350.

The last small, luxury SUV model that was discussed in this article was the Audi Q5.  This vehicle will be available in all-wheel drive when it begins being sold in the spring.  Eventually a front-wheel drive will be introduced later on.  The price of the Audi Q5 will start at $37,200.  The Audi Q5 will come with a 270 horsepower, 3.2-liter V6 engine that should get about 22 mpg on the highway. 

So, here you have it. If you are looking for a small, luxury SUV, you may want to check out these three new models.  They are definitely expensive, but looking pretty nice and have a bunch of new features for your convenience.  I was trying to decide which one I would pick, and I guess I’d go with the Cadillac SRX, with a close second given to the Lexus RX 350.  You can decide which one works best for you.     

 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 at 5:57 pm and is filed under New Cars, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.