Image Gallery

The nation’s seven auto clubs together represent over 6.3 million members.

“The Lexus RX330 set several benchmarks when it won this award last year, and that status hasn’t altered,” said RACV chief judge Ernest Litera, who presented the award in Sydney.

The RX330 triumphed over finalists BMW X5 and Volvo XC90 to win the accolade.

The Lexus scored consistently well across all 20 judging categories, figuring highly in the three main categories.

“The real strengths of the Lexus RX330 include its design and function attributes, on-the-road performance, and its value proposition,” Mr Litera said.

“The fact that it has a full four-year warranty is significant, as the standard seems to be three years.”

Lexus RX330 gained Best in Class scores for ride, build quality and finish, ergonomics, smoothness and quietness, comfort, safety, pricing and retained value.

RX330 was also recently upgraded, with both RX330 models now featuring an intelligent adaptive front-lighting headlight system that ‘sees around corners’.

The system better illuminates the intended line through corners, depending on the steering angle.

The RX330 Sports Luxury model, the most popular in the RX line, has also received five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, and state-of-the-art Bluetooth handsfree mobile phone compatibility.

Australia’s Best Cars competition, which replaced seven separate state and territory car club competitions in 2000, is claimed to be Australia’s most comprehensive and objective consumer-based vehicle testing and award program.

Mr Litera said the contest’s judging criteria reflected members’ concerns.

“Research from our six million-plus member base shows that luxury Four Wheel Drive owners are most concerned with safety, comfort, ergonomics, build quality and finish, ride, smoothness and quietness, and innovation,” he said.

Full scores are available on the Australia’s Best Cars official website: www.australiasbestcars.com.au