Overview & Reviews

Ever diligent in its "Relentless pursuit of perfection," Lexus completely revamped its RX 300 midsize luxury crossover SUV for 2004. This already popular model in the Lexus lineup received a radical makeover that included a new 3.3-liter V6 and a resultant new name: RX 330.

With the first-generation RX's style being deemed a bit too soft, stylists gave the new Lexus RX 330 a more aggressive character. A sharply angled grille and rearmost roof pillar gave the RX 330 more visual attitude, while more power, more backseat room, a number of new high-tech features and tighter handling made the RX better than ever before. Still, the folks at Lexus were careful to retain the beloved features of the previous model, and this meant keeping a plush ride, a rich cabin, fantastic build quality, a serene demeanor on the open road and a strong reputation for reliability intact.

Those who think driving is a passion and not just a necessity should know that the Lexus RX 330 is still not a sport-utility vehicle with a sport sedan personality. If you're looking for thrills on twisty roads you'd be better suited by a few other choices that trade off practical aspects such as passenger and cargo space for a sportier drive. But for the greater majority of used luxury SUV consumers who just want as trouble-free and comfortable an experience as possible when dealing with commuting, shuttling the kids around and taking weekend road trips to see the relatives, the RX 330 is hard to top.

Most Recent Lexus RX 330

Available from 2004 through 2006, the Lexus RX 330 brought more power, more room, more luxury features and more aggressive styling to Lexus' popular midsize luxury SUV.

Still loosely based on the Toyota Camry platform of the time, the RX 330 benefited from the same new V6. At 3.3 liters, the newer V6 produced 230 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque, increases of 10 hp and 20 lb-ft, respectively, over the RX 300's V6. A broader torque curve along with a new five-speed automatic transmission gave the RX 330 more kick off the line as well as more energetic passing and merging performance. Once again, buyers could choose front- or all-wheel drive. Towing capacity, at 3,500 pounds, was unchanged and still relatively meager compared to truck-based SUVs.

Standard luxury content increased slightly, as in addition to the expected automatic climate control and full power features there were now larger (17-inch) alloy wheels and a CD player. In addition to available leather seating, power moonroof and navigation system were new options that included a DVD entertainment system, a superb Mark Levinson audio system, an adjustable air suspension, adaptive cruise control, a back-up camera and adaptive headlights.

Safety was also improved, as in addition to stability control there were now larger side airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver's knee airbag and a tire-pressure monitor.

While it retained the quiet and refined demeanor of its precursor, the Lexus RX 330 was more athletic. Acceleration was noticeably stronger (at 7.8 seconds, it was a full second quicker to 60 mph than before) and, when equipped with the optional air suspension, handling was tighter. The RX was still not as involving a drive as a few of its German and home country rivals, which provide superior steering feel and communication to the driver.

Shoppers looking for a used Lexus RX 330 won't go wrong with any year, as changes were minimal throughout its brief run. The most notable upgrades occurred in 2005 when Lexus made the power rear hatch standard and the navigation system gained voice control. The final year of the RX 330 brought power lumbar support for the front passenger, while revised SAE testing procedures changed the engine's output rating from 230 hp to 223, though no actual performance was lost.

User Reviews:

• 

  Save money buy a regular Toyota - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By AZ Driver - December 16 - 6:23 pm

  After driving this vehicle for over a year I can only say I should have bought a Toyota and saved some money. Numerous rattles, transmission that cant seem to find the right gear and now there is a rather unusual clunk each time the drive train engages. Couple that with a drive train howl at around 60 mph and we are less than satisfied with this vehicle.

• 

  no place to put change! - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By TheMasterTailor - September 21 - 10:00 am

  5 cupholders but NO change bin! Dealer donesnt know how to install the cargo net!

• 

  Our first Japanese vehicle-ever - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By RX330 - September 6 - 5:10 pm

  Love it. Probably the best interior of any 40K vehicle. They set the standards on this one. Not good mileage as we expected. Terrible back up lighting at night. Cannot see a thing in the dark. They claim nothing can be done. Ride and handling-excellent. Definately a crossover. More car-like than truck like. HIDs a problem on dark roads. A defined line that is a short distance from the vehicle. At high speeds you can overrun the headlights. We use High beams alot.

• 

  Just bought 1 yesterday - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By metalbandit - May 22 - 1:47 pm

  I just bought the Lexus RX330 2004 yesterday, so far no complaints. Whom ever was the previous owner took immense care to keep it nice. The whole vehicle still looks & runs like new. It being a 2004 it only has 89k + miles on it, and its just been very nice. Now with that in mind of course, I have read reviews, and such people saying that when it gets around the 90k mark things start going wrong with it, so I have a full 2 year coverage for just about anything that goes wrong with it. But for right now its been a great 2 days so far. Im on the hunt now to see about getting the onboard GPS updated on it, well see what happens.

• 

  I dont know what to think.... - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By svet - May 10 - 10:00 am

  Has a great interior and exterior design. But performance is not that great. I expected more from a Lexus/Toyota built car. I wish, I didnt have to take a brand new car back to the dealership so many times. There is always something wrong with the car. First, was a recall. They kept my car for 3 weeks there. Then, both of mine sinwisers broke. Now, seems like this car is burning oil. I was wondering if anybody else is having same problem. Needs more power and gas pedal is too stiff.

• 

  Poor performance - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By johntemp - March 6 - 10:33 am

  We bought this brand new and kept it only 7 months. In buying it my wife did not understand her desire for a car that actually went when you pressed the gas. After trying to get constant hesitations programmed out of the controller for our car we gave up and sold this nice but totally poor performance car for a BMW X5 which blows the Lexus away.

• 

  Lexus RX330 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Nancy Gamier - March 6 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is very comfortable especially if you are in your vehicle alot-which I am. Im on the road doing sales and the smoothness of the ride is unbelievable, even in the backseat. I had my husband go with me on all my test drives so I could sit in the backseat and see how smooth the vehicle drove. When I have to go anywhere with other sales staff, I always offer to drive. Just a side note-before I leased this vehicle I test drove 14 other SUVs. The handling on this is exceptional as is the steering radius. The back up camera is a great option as far as safety to have.

• 

  Poor manufacturing quality control - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Carrol - January 28 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned the RX-330 for 6 months. Of that time, it has spent over one month in the shop while the dealer tried to figure out some of the problems. There were two sqeak/rattles, one on a front strut and one on the rear hatchback door. Then there is the very noisy wind sound from the area of the drivers side window. The Lexus dealer has tried replacing almost everything associated with the drivers side window and side mirror, all to little avail. They now say that the noise is associated with the side mirror. My Toyota Tundra has a larger side mirror, and it is quiet. The quality control is not up to Lexus standards!

• 

  Doesnt get much better than this - 2006 Lexus RX 330
  By SUV2SUV - November 29 - 9:06 pm

  This is basically a Toyota Highlander with upgraded trim, equipment and dealer network. That said, you give up some space for much better ergonomics, a little more style (although neither vehicle is going to win any one-off design awards) and gizmos. Reliability is Toyota all the way, but with a service department that is told to treat you like a valued customer instead of joe schmo. Performance is in the range of a Camry (same chassis, not surprising) which is to say it gets you to Target and back but youre not going to be autoXing this thing. Despite the supposed exclusivity of Lexus, the RX sells well so you see a ton.

• 

  Wife loves it, I drive AMG - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By jshoes - November 21 - 10:00 am

  The Lexus is a comfortable and practical ride. My wife loves everything about it especially the interior. I drive AMG Mercedes and it is hard to go from one to the other. The Mercedes is incredible performance, the Lexus is more mainstream, so I am ambivalent towards the Lexus except I admire the comfort.