Body style: SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
Segment: Medium SUV
Production years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Mercedes-Benz scored a big hit with the ML's first generation, but Lexus was not far behind and introduced the RX in 1998, just two years after the German SUV.
When Lexus introduced the RX on the North American market, it overtook all other SUVs and climbed right to the sales charts' top. Mercedes-Benz was stunned since it launched the ML earlier, but Toyota just did a better job. Unlike its German rival, who chose the body-on-frame construction, the Lexus RX300 featured a unit-body construction, which translated into a lighter vehicle. Moreover, the Japanese premium carmaker was available with fuel-efficient engines.
The RX300 looked, somehow, like a 4x4 vehicle, but it lacked the rugged look. It didn't have any flat or bulky areas. At the front, it featured angular-shaped headlights with soft edges that surrounded the slatted grille from the hood. Its raked windshield was more angled than on most other off-road vehicles. But Toyota didn't want to sell the RX300 as a hard-core, off-road vehicle. Its greenhouse looked more like the one from an MPV or a station wagon due to the raked-forward rear windscreen. Only the lower part of the bodywork offered an off-road vehicle's statement due to the angular-shaped wheel-arches and the big wheels.
Inside, Lexus offered the RX300 with a standard leather-clad interior, but with just a few color options. It was either black leather-black dashboard and aluminum trims or tan leather, beige dashboard, and wood-trims. There was no other option for it. Also, a standard feature was the automatic transmission. The center stack resembled the one installed on the Land Cruiser. In the back, the 60/40 split-folding bench enlarged the trunk area, but it also featured a reclining system, suitable for long journeys.
Under the hood, Toyota installed only one engine option: a 3.0-liter V-6 that provided up to 240 hp. It was paired as standard to a four-speed automatic gearbox with a center-stack-mounted gear selector.
ENGINE SPECS - 300 4AT FWD (240 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2362 cm3 |
Power: | 118 KW @ 5600 RPM 160 HP @ 5600 RPM 158 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 163 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 221 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 19.8 gallons (75.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 225/70 R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 180.1 in (4575 mm) |
Width: | 71.5 in (1816 mm) |
Height: | 65.6 in (1666 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.6/61 in (1,565/1,549 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 104.3 in (2649 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.5 in (191 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 17.3 cuFT (490 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3792 lbs (1720 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4949 lbs (2245 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 18 mpg US (13.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 224 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 300 V6 4AT AWD (220 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 2995 cm3 |
Power: | 162 KW @ 5800 RPM 220 HP @ 5800 RPM 217 BHP @ 5800 RPM |
Torque: | 224 lb-ft @ 4400 RPM 304 Nm @ 4400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 19.8 gallons (75.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 111.9 mph (180 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 225/70 R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 180.1 in (4575 mm) |
Width: | 71.5 in (1816 mm) |
Height: | 65.6 in (1666 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.6/61 in (1,565/1,549 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 104.3 in (2649 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.5 in (191 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 17.3 cuFT (490 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4034 lbs (1830 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4949 lbs (2245 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 13.3 mpg US (17.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 22.8 mpg US (10.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22.4 mpg US (10.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 251 g/km |