Guide to Your Toyota Harrier or Lexus RX in Malaysia

The year is 2011 and you may have climbed up the corporate ladder sufficiently, for now at least, to afford yourself a decent house in a good neighbourhood and decent cars for you and your spouse (or spouses if you're a Muslim, as you can have up till 4 wives and have no issues with the law).

Caption : Toyota Harrier or Lexus RX fits five in a luxurious SUV cocoon.

As with the typical male testerone , you would either be interested in getting a sports car or a sports utility vehicle around that time.For me, I have had a sports car before- and a pretty posh Italian ride at that; so it's a been there-done that. I was therefore thinking of going the SUV route. Anyway, I was looking at some nice makes and models, including the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VGT, Nissan Murano and Toyota Harrier/Lexus RX and after some testdrives, I decided to go for the Toyota Harrier/Lexus RX.

2004 - 2009 Second Generation Toyota Harrier/Lexus RX

Caption : The L-package in Toyota Lexus, the equivalent of Lexus RX spec.

Now let's get some background on the 2nd generation Toyota Harrier or Lexus RX, which was manufactured between 2004 - 2009. The same model was sold as Toyota Harrier in the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and Lexus RX in the international market.

In January 2003, Lexus unveiled the second-generation model of its best-selling luxury-type SUV at the North American International Auto Show, featuring a newer, sleeker body style with LED tailamps. In February 2003, the second generation Harrier (codename ACU30 and MCU30 for the front wheel drive models, and ACU35 and MCU35 for the all wheel drive models) was launched in Japan. Chassis elements were shared with the Highlander SUVs. Mechanical specification was largely similar to the first-generation Harrier, with the same engine and drivetrain combinations available (2.4L and 3.0L V6 with or without all wheel drive). The main difference was a new 5-speed automatic transmission with +/- shift replacing the 4-speed item in the 3.0L V6, and the availability of "AIRS" air-suspension on the 3.0L V6 models.

The second generation RX, called the RX 330 for the North American and Middle Eastern markets, began sales in March 2003. The North American-market cars were initially built in Japan, with production of the RX 330 started at Toyota's Cambridge, Ontario, Canada plant in September 2003 (some North American RX 330/RX 350 models were still made in Japan). The RX 330 was powered by a 3.3L 3MZ-FE V6, producing 230hp (172kW) SAE and (238ft·lbf), and was available in either front or four wheel drive. Height-adjustable air-suspension was again an option on the four wheel drive models (akin to "AIRS" system). The new model sported a drag coefficient of Cd 0.35.

The second-generation RX interior featured genuine Golden Bird's Eye Maple or Walnut wood trim, a sliding multi-level center storage console, dual-zone climate control, tilt steering column, and eight airbags including a driver's knee airbag. Available options included an 210-watt, 11-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system, GPS navigation, rear seat DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones, and a panoramic, multi-panel moonroof. A power rear door was standard.

The second generation Lexus RX was launched for European and Asian markets in early 2003 (including Singapore, where it succeeded the previously sold Harrier, South Korea, and Taiwan), where it continued to be an RX 300 and was made in Japan. Mechanical specifications were more or less identical to the 3.0L V6 Harrier, with only the four wheel drive version available. Once again, air-suspension and Mark Levinson audio could be specified. In 2005, Lexus introduced the RX 330 "Thundercloud Edition" for the U.S. market, featuring a horizontal-slatted grille, aluminum alloy wheels, and other select options as standard.

Sales of the second generation Lexus RX continued the success of the RX series for Lexus. In 2006, the RX series sold over 108,000 units, making the Lexus RX the highest-selling luxury vehicle in the United States.

Caption : Luxurious feel admist a Toyota Camry-like seating, albeit with higher ground clearance.

Next : How to differenciate if you're buying a Toyota Harrier or Lexus RX?