Getting into the Lexus RX is easy, with no need to climb up or duck down. The front seats are positioned off the floor at a comfortable chair height and are snug and supportive. The seat bottoms are relatively flat, making it easy to slide in and out. Folding armrests on both front seats offer more comfort on longer trips. The center console slides forward and back, allowing room for a purse or whatever else you might stow between the front seats.

The instrument cluster in the RX 350 features three large, round gauges trimmed in silver, with legible script and near-perfect backlighting. In the RX 400h, an illuminated meter replaces the traditional tachometer on the left, displaying the level of power generated by the hybrid powertrain. The driver can also monitor gas-electric power distribution on the multi-function display, which dominates the center stack and serves as the navigation screen in vehicles so equipped.

This seven-inch screen is also used for climate control and trip computer functions, and can display the outside temperature and clock (with alarm). It shows the image provided by the back-up camera, which is included with the navigation system and automatically activates when the transmission is shifted into reverse. You can’t drive backward by watching the screen, but it’s very useful for checking for low obstacles (and people) that would be difficult to see just by looking over the shoulder, and it also helps when backing the RX into a parking space.

The optional navigation system is one of the best. The current Lexus package includes voice activation, Bluetooth interface with compatible cellular phones and impressive shadowed graphics. There’s a downside to many of these new, integrated control systems, to be sure, and the RX is no different. You have to press two buttons to change the fan speed, for example, rather than just one. Lexus dealers can program the default settings of many of the control functions, so be sure you have them tailor automatic door locking and other features to your preferences. If you’re fighting some feature, it can probably be programmed to operate differently.

Overall, we find the switches and controls in the RX (and in Lexus cars generally) to be among the best. They’re well placed, properly sized and soft to the touch, yet firm and positive in movement.

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