2000 Lexus RX 300 An on-road luxury sport-utility vehicle. By Mitch McCullough, Editor-in-Chief, New Car Test Drive .com

Since few people venture off road in sport-utility vehicles, it makes sense to design them primarily for highway use. The Lexus RX 300 is such a vehicle, a hybrid luxury car/sport-utility vehicle. It offers sure traction in foul weather and responsive handling on paved and unpaved roads. It provides a smooth ride, maneuverability in crowded parking lots, and easy access to its luxurious interior.

RX 300 is not the ultimate off-road vehicle, but it handles corners well and offers good performance on unpaved roads and heavy snowfall. A low floor height makes sliding in and out easy, yet there's plenty of ground clearance for light off-highway driving. Four people can sit comfortably or the seats can be folded down for hauling a load a wood.

RX 300 comes as one trim level. Buyers have a choice of front-wheel drive ($33,005) or four-wheel drive ($34,605).

Four-wheel antilock disc brakes (ABS) are standard. Front and side airbags are standard along with shoulder belts with pretensioners and force limiters. The lack of a three-point shoulder belt in the rear seat center position is a disappointing omission for a vehicle costing more than $33,000, however.