Why More Women are Buying the Lexus RX 350

In the past there were very different values that men and women looked for in their vehicles. Now that those values have come closer together in terms of styling, and performance desires, many manufacturers have stopped spending as much time trying to tailor to both genders, and begun focusing on pleasing both sides of the equation at the same time.

That being said, there are still some things that women value in their vehicles above men, and that is why many more women will buy the Lexus RX 350 than men will.

What Women Want from Their Vehicles

When it comes to buying vehicles most women are more practical than men are. In other words when they buy a vehicle they are paying attention to the overall value of that vehicle. They want something that is going to be very reliable over the long term, because most women worry about breaking down more than men do.

They also strive for very stable driving vehicles that are going to handle well even on rugged terrain. It isn't that they are planning on going off-roading anytime soon they just like to be prepared for unexpected events, such as a freak snowstorm.

They also want something that is going to be affordable, and not just the sticker price of the vehicle either. They want a vehicle that can be maintained without spending a fortune. They want to feel like they are getting a good deal on their vehicle overall, while many men are more focused on styling, power, and utility, before the actual value of the vehicle is considered.

Of course women do think about styling and features in their vehicles as well, and they are more inclined to buy a less masculine styled vehicle than men are, but this plays a much smaller role in the buying process for them, than it does for men.

Why the RX 350 is an Excellent Option

The RX 350 is the only Lexus model that sells to women more than men and for good reason. These models are stylish, while still accommodating a family with several children in it.

One of the main reasons that women avoided SUVs in the past was because of how terrible they were on gas. The RX 350 is much better on gas than a traditional SUV being a crossover instead. This makes it a much more attractive prospect.

The luxurious interior is another feature that is sure to sway many prospective female buyers into making a decision to purchase. The quality leather and suede materials are luxurious while still being practical. They are relatively easy to keep clean, and they will live a long life.

Safety features are the final piece of the puzzle for many female buyers. The 5 star ratings that the 2013 Lexus RX has received on side impact tests, as well as the pole impact test set it apart from many other manufacturers. It has also been a consistent Top Safety Pick in the federal NCAP occupant protection tests.

The Lexus RX 350 has exactly what many women with children are looking for. Not only is it both stylish and luxurious, but it also is incredibly practical.

Safer In The Womb Of A Lexus

Lexus Makes Use of Latest Technology to Improve Safety

As technology levels increase in computers, and software efficiency increases it becomes possible to make cars safer than they have ever been before. There are several different driverless cars that have been produced already, and with the technology contained in these cars, standard cars can be made safer as well, and that is exactly what Lexus is doing.

There are several different systems that Lexus is employing to make their vehicles safer to drive, but one of the major systems hopes to reduce the number of rear end collisions that occur.

Using a set of sensors that can detect how fast the vehicle in front of you is going in relation to how fast you are moving, the Lexus LS can decide whether you are at risk of colliding with them or not. Not only will the vehicle let out a warning letting you know that you are going to run into the car in front of your, but it will also tighten up the seatbelt and prepare you for impact, or for a very fast slowdown.

The technology has been taken even farther since that initial system was released a year ago, and now the car can actually slow itself down if it looks like an impact is going to occur. The system is capable of slowing a car down by 25 miles an hour and it is going to be improved to a range of 37 miles an hour relatively soon.

Lowering the Cost

Systems using this technology were originally $2,500, but this year they have been lowered to a mere $500 on the Lexus IS, and on top of the millimeter wave radar collision warning, you will also get a system that dynamically controls the cruise control by making use of the same technology.

While cruise control is convenient, it can also be dangerous if the operator is not careful about how they use it. With a dynamic cruise setting, it would not be necessary to take the vehicle out of cruise every time that a car in front of you was going a little slower than you are.

On top of this basic radar system Lexus is making it possible to have night vision cameras mounted on the vehicle to help alert you of obstacles on the road in the middle of the night. They are also beginning the use of stereo cameras to pick out pedestrians before they get in the road and become dangerous to drivers and themselves.

As technology continues to improve and prices drop down to lower levels, the number of vehicles that have these new features are going to be increased, and the number of safety features are going to be expanded even further, making cars safer than they ever have before. With all of the devotion that Lexus has to safety technology, they are sure to be one of the leaders in adopting new, and more beneficial safety technology that will help reduce the number of casualties due to driving.  

Toyoda Strives to Breathe Life into Lexus

Akio Toyoda Strives to Breathe Life into the Lexus Brand

Even though Lexus is currently well-known for their top-of-the-line vehicles, they don't have the same level of history or devotion that BMW, or Porsche does, and that is in large part because they aren't nearly as old as the other brands out there.

To give you a quick comparison BMW was established in 1917, Porsche in 1932, and Lexus wasn't established until 1989. Looking at those dates there is no wonder that Lexus doesn't have the legacy that these two other car brands do.

While this doesn't mean that they can't produce cars on the same level as these other vehicle manufacturers, it does mean that they have a harder time inspiring devotion in their fans, because many are already attached to the history and character of other luxury brands.

The Reorganization of Toyota

Akio Toyoda decided to restructure Toyota into four different groups to help manage the company a little more effectively. One of these groups was Lexus. Three of the groups have appointed executive vice presidents to oversee them, and to make important decisions about them, while Lexus has Toyoda himself overlooking it.

While the other three groups have to update Toyoda on a regular basis and get his input occasionally, Lexus is going to receive most of their orders from Toyoda, and he will be giving his input on the products on a regular basis to help shape the company in his image which shows how much dedication that he has to Lexus.

Thinking Creatively

Akio Toyoda wants to differentiate Lexus from the rest of the brands out there and breathe life into the luxury cars by giving creative input on the vehicles. He states that there are plenty of financial experts and engineers focusing on the technical details of the vehicle, and that someone needs to just focus on the actual design, and performance of the vehicle. He wants to be that someone, and control what the end products look like with his vehicles.

A Skilled Driver but No Engineer

Toyoda isn't bringing his engineering prowess to the company, and instead is playing on his strengths as an excellent car driver and someone who knows what he wants out of a performance vehicle. It is his belief that too often the style and performance are being lost to the ideal specifications and by making the style and performance of the vehicle the number one priority he plans on changing things around for the better.

This is certainly a lofty goal that he has set for himself, but it could be just the thing the brand needs to really take off and ingrain itself in the luxury car world as a solidified brand.

What remains to be seen is if Lexus fans are going to like the design choices made by Akio Toyoda as much as he does. If they don't he not only risks the well-being of his company, but he also risks his reputation in the process.

Lexus RX350 F Sport Versus the Standard RX 350

Benefits of the 2013 Lexus RX350 F Sport Versus the Standard RX 350

When you are considering whether to get the 2013 Lexus RX 350 F Sport or the standard RX 350 it is important to know all of the differences that occur between the two models. With a good understanding of exactly what you are getting for your money, you can decide whether it makes sense to spend more on the upgraded model or not.

Looks

One of the first differences that you are going to notice between the two models is the appearance of the front of the vehicle. The front end of the F Sport has a much more aggressive stance that says it is ready to take on the roughest roads that you can throw at it.

This aggressive appearance is achieved thanks to a different grill. The larger spindle opening, the additional slant on the grill, and the overall stretch down toward the ground just makes the vehicle look mean.

When you get on the inside of the vehicle you will notice a few different changes that show it is geared toward performance more. The first thing that you will notice is the aluminum racing pedals on the floor. Dotted with black grippers these pedals look like they are built for speed, and they have a nice solid feel to them.

The paddle shifters inside the vehicle are another nice touch that just makes the RX 350 F Sport look like it was meant for driving fast. Overall the impression of the interior is that it is pretty similar to the standard version, but those additional touches help to differentiate the two and add a tinge of style as well.

Performance

As far as the actual performance of the vehicle is concerned you are getting relatively the same motors in both vehicles, but the F Sport is tuned for some additional speed. You will notice a quicker acceleration, when you step on the peddle as well as a sportier sound when you are really pressing the engine.

When driving on rough terrain the F Sport should handle better as it has a slightly more rugged suspension that is meant to take more abuse. This also results in you feeling more of the bumps on the road however, so that has to be taken into consideration as well when making the purchase.

Better Gas Mileage

Another nice perk of the F Sport model is the increased gas mileage that you are going to get. Instead of the standard 18/24 rated by the EPA the 350 F Sport gets 18/26 which amounts to a nice boost from 20 to 21 average miles per gallon while driving it around.

Although this doesn't seem like a very large fuel increase at first glance, that boost will save a considerable amount of gas throughout the year, and could be enough to justify the slight price increase on its own.

With all of the major differences between the two models fleshed out in front of you, it should be an easy decision to pick the model that you want to go with. Both of the RX 350 variants are reliable, and something that can be driven proudly, but the differences should be taken into account before a decision is made. 

Not The New Lexus GS450h

Tech Lovers will Enjoy the New Lexus GS450h

Not only is the Lexus GS450h a head-turner, but it comes with enough technological tools to give you just about every feature that you could want. Even with the $69,754 it really seems like you are getting what you pay for with this new Lexus, and if you do purchase it you should expect to take a week or two familiarizing yourself with the different features before you can use them all effectively.

Adjustable Driving Modes

This hybrid vehicle allows you to switch between different handling modes while you are driving. There is the eco mode that strives to enhance your mileage, while there is the sport mode that enhances the overall performance of the vehicle, at the expense of the gas mileage. The car even has an all-electric mode, for slow driving around town without wasting any gas to do so.

Massive Navigation Screen

The Lexus also has a very large navigation screen that you can use to do a number of cool things. You get voice-activated navigation that works well while you are driving around. You also get a full-sized DVD player, to enjoy movies while you are sitting still if you want to.

The screen is also used for your stereo, and you can select from a set of channel presets, as well as rely on different apps that integrate as well, such as Pandora, or iHeartRadio.

Although the screen isn't controlled by touch, you are given a large moveable mouse to scroll through the different selections on the screen while you are driving. Although it is not as intuitive as touch, it actually becomes easier to do while driving when you are finally used to it, since you don't have to reach forward to change things on the screen any longer.

Advanced Climate Control

 The climate control of this vehicle is excellent, with heated seats that will remember the temperature that you like the best for both the driver and passenger of the vehicle. The steering wheel also comes with heated grips as long as you have your hands in the "9-oclock" and "3-oclock" locations.

Improved Vision

While you are driving you get a lot of control over what you are seeing, and there are a few different failsafe's in place to make sure that cars aren't going to sneak up on you. First there is the backup camera that allows you to see behind the car flawlessly. This will help reduce the blind spots that you experience when driving backwards.

The tilting headlights give you more control over which portion of the road you are actually looking at while driving at night. There are even sensors that will let you know when someone else is in your blind spots so that you don't switch lanes and run someone off the road.

There is even an automatic parking brake that will engage and disengage each time that you park the vehicle, as long as you have the feature toggled on to do so.

With all of these features available in one of Lexus's latest hybrids it can be a little overwhelming to learn what you are doing initially, but once you know how to work everything, you won't want to go back to driving a vehicle where you are limited by the lack of features.