(MCT)

The funny-looking Toyota concept Sport Luxury Vehicle bowed at the 1997 Chicago Auto Show as an alternative to the station wagon and minivan.

When visitors, who vote with purses and wallets, gave it a big thumbs up, it was approved for production and renamed RX300 for sale in March 1998.

It quickly became the best-selling vehicle for Toyota's Lexus division and a segment that has been growing in leaps and bounds. The newest rendition, the 2010 RX350, is available in front-wheel drive for warm climes and all-wheel drive for the Snow Belt, with the hybrid RX450h due this summer.

We tested the AWD version. It packs a 3.5-litre, 24-valve V-6, teamed with a six-speed automatic, an upgrade from a 3.5-litre, 270-hp V-6 with five-speed automatic. Though it has a little more muscle, the V-6 gets better mileage as well, 18 mpg city/24 highway with AWD, up from 17/22. Not bad, considering the security of AWD and capacity for five people and luggage, with neither stacked horizontally.

never lacked energy

On a trip to Michigan and back along Interstate Highway 94, the RX never lacked energy when passing or merging. And it cruised comfortably and quietly at 80 mph, the local idling speed. Only time the RX had to back down is when conservation police in their sedans napped in the passing lane.

The RX has proved most popular among women, who make up the majority of drivers. So while energetic, its ride also is smooth and jostle-free. No tossing folks around the cabin.

Since women are the primary drivers, and kids the most frequent passengers, Lexus focuses on safety with stability and traction control. Combined with AWD, the RX350 is nearly bulletproof in keeping the wheels down. Just in case, anti-lock brakes and side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors are standard too.

As part of a US$2,000 comfort package, the test vehicle added adaptive front lighting in which the headlamps turn in the same direction as the front end. The comfort package includes rain-sensing wipers that start up when the drops fall down, intelligent high-beam headlamps that use sensors in the sideview mirrors to revert to low beams when a car approaches, and heated, ventilated seats.

A pre-collision cruise-control option uses radar to keep a safe distance from vehicles ahead, though it wasn't on the test car. Instead, it had a US$4,980 package, with voice-command navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system with screens in the front-seat headrests and a back-up camera that gives you a look in the navigation screen at what's behind.

Keyless entry

There are also nozzles to clean headlamps and a power hatchlid as part of a US$4,800 luxury package, and remote start (US$175) to warm or cool the car before you get in. Keyless entry with push-button start is a novelty - a no-cost option.

Lexus improved the voice command of its navi system, which also includes audio and climate controls. Rather than the old stilted way of talking - "phone Bob" or "radio on" or "air conditioning on" or "restaurant, Japanese" - you can be conversational ... "call Bob at home" or "make it cooler" or "let's find XM Channel 150" or "Gimme a Japanese restaurant". Still waiting for "Hey, dude, text my 'American Idol' vote."