I used to be able to say that it is not every day that I get to drive a luxury SUV, but considering I just bought a Volvo XC 90, luxury is now something I am accustomed to. Therefore, I was willing to give up the Volvo to test drive the 2014 Lexus RX350 F Sport for a few days. Since the RX350 is crammed with luxurious features and plenty of power, I felt right at home.
The RX350 is crammed with luxurious features and plenty of power
My weekend was packed with adult activities and plenty to do with my 3-year-old, so I really did put the RX350 to the test. I offered to pick up my girlfriends for a birthday dinner on Friday night. That was my gift to the two birthday girls – a ride in the Lexus RX350. They got to experience the comfortable leather seats, passenger power bucket seat and the 2nd row leather bench seat. I even removed the car seat from the back so they had plenty of room. The RX350 fits five with plenty of legroom and extreme comfort and the girls even got to charge their iPhones with the 115-volt power in the back, but I definitely had the best seat in the house. The heated and cooled (which I definitely used in the Phoenix heat) power driver seat is 10-way power-adjustable with seat memory. Although I did not let any of the other ladies drive the SUV, the seat memory would have secured my settings had someone else driven the car.
Although I did not let any of the other ladies drive the SUV, the seat memory would have secured my settings had someone else driven the car.
Being the driver, I also got to control the entertainment system using the steering wheel controls and the Lexus Remote Touch system. The optional 15-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system got us in the mood to celebrate, and we definitely did that. Using theNavigation system to find our way to the restaurant, we enjoyed dinner, dancing and drinks late into the night. Since I was the designated driver, I only participated in the dinner and dancing; it was my job to get the birthday girls home safely. The 2014 Lexus RX350 F Sport also helped keep us safe. With driver, passenger, side head, rear head, side and rear body airbags, everyone got home in one piece. It was late and many of the girls would feel it tomorrow, but the RX350 had done its job.
With very little sleep, it was off to the Phoenix Children’s Museum
the next day for my nephew’s 6th birthday party. Thankfully, the power and efficiency of the RX350 got us there in time. The 3.5-liter V6 engine with 270 horsepower was quick, and I really
enjoyed the paddle shifters for the 8-speed transmission. I was definitely fascinated with several of the luxury components in the Lexus RX350, and was reminded of some of my favorite features when admiring a mirror exhibit at the museum. The vast amount of mirrors in the RX350 include power driver mirror with mirror memory, power folding mirrors, heated mirrors and integrated turn signal mirrors. The RX350 also has driver vanity mirror which illuminates and a passenger illuminate visor mirror as well. That is a lot of mirrors.
We did have a lot going on while driving the RX350. Thankfully, the mpg for city is 18 city and 26 highway, so driving around town all weekend did not hurt the purse much. We also went to a unique indoor amusement park, a BBQ with friends, shopping for an upcoming wedding and lunch out with family. I was able to get in and out of places quickly, using the backup camera and rear parking aid. Luxury does come at a cost though, and the 2014 Lexus RX350 has an MSRP from $39,760-$47,450. I would say it is worth it, especially if you are going to spend a majority of your time driving all around town from one event to the next.
