What if you or I had to choose just one vehicle? What if we lived in a communist regime and all citizens were entitled to a singular vehicle, a real people's car? Consider the implications and concessions you would have to make if such a “rule” was imposed on your daily lives. Other than voting for the alternative party during the next elections, what would you do?
I for one would have to think about versatility; I would need a vehicle capable of transporting five passengers or a fair amount of gear, a certain level of comfort, some performance, good fuel economy, all-weather capabilities and it would need to have some character. Come to think of it, this enumeration could probably apply to more than 90% of drivers today.
Universal appeal
I stand near the 2010 RX and in its dirty, mucky winter-stained state, it still looks proud. I first met the new RX in Napa Valley in all its glory and in that environment, it was not only stately but handsome. Toyota devised a luxurious and masculine fascia, inspired by the latest LS and LX, and gave it purpose, made it in the Lexus brand image. This new design is making its way across the Lexus line-up and is even poking its nose into Toyota affairs; see the new Sienna.
Not bold, but serious and unique enough, the RX's styling is upscale without reaching German grandiloquent-ness. The same goes for the cabin; functionality prevails over all-out design and logical and pleasant ergonomics are retained. In true Lexus form, fit, finish and materials are of the utmost quality but do without the over-exaggerated accents and appliqués that some manufacturers find necessary to add.
The only touch I would either add or remove is the real wood for the steering wheel; if kept, it needs a heatable feature. Otherwise, I would do without. Speaking of touch, Lexus' version of “car interface” is called Remote Touch, much like working a mouse on your computer. Its interaction with the user is intuitive, which is expected as we all work the mouse on a regular basis.
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| I stand near the 2010 RX and in its dirty, mucky winter-stained state, it still looks proud. |
I for one would have to think about versatility; I would need a vehicle capable of transporting five passengers or a fair amount of gear, a certain level of comfort, some performance, good fuel economy, all-weather capabilities and it would need to have some character. Come to think of it, this enumeration could probably apply to more than 90% of drivers today.
Universal appeal
I stand near the 2010 RX and in its dirty, mucky winter-stained state, it still looks proud. I first met the new RX in Napa Valley in all its glory and in that environment, it was not only stately but handsome. Toyota devised a luxurious and masculine fascia, inspired by the latest LS and LX, and gave it purpose, made it in the Lexus brand image. This new design is making its way across the Lexus line-up and is even poking its nose into Toyota affairs; see the new Sienna.
Not bold, but serious and unique enough, the RX's styling is upscale without reaching German grandiloquent-ness. The same goes for the cabin; functionality prevails over all-out design and logical and pleasant ergonomics are retained. In true Lexus form, fit, finish and materials are of the utmost quality but do without the over-exaggerated accents and appliqués that some manufacturers find necessary to add.
The only touch I would either add or remove is the real wood for the steering wheel; if kept, it needs a heatable feature. Otherwise, I would do without. Speaking of touch, Lexus' version of “car interface” is called Remote Touch, much like working a mouse on your computer. Its interaction with the user is intuitive, which is expected as we all work the mouse on a regular basis.
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| Functionality prevails over all-out design and logical and pleasant ergonomics are retained. |