LEXUS RX330 VOTED AUSTRALIA'S BEST FOR THIRD TIME (22 November 2005)

Embargoed 12pm, Tuesday 22 November 2005.

Lexus RX330 has retained its crown as Australia's Best Luxury Four Wheel Drive for the third year running.

A judging panel representing the nation's seven auto clubs, and their 6.3 million members, has returned the RX330 as Luxury Four Wheel Drive category winner in 2005.

"The Lexus RX330 has joined a rare group of vehicles that have won three 'Best Cars' victories back to back , which is testament to its intrinsic design, engineering and consumer appeal," said Ernest Litera, Chief Judge, Australia's Best Cars.

"The RX330 scored top in its class for safety, comfort, ergonomics, build quality, ride, and smoothness and quietness , basically all the areas consumers say are of critical importance to them in a luxury four-wheel drive.

"A car cannot just be brilliant in one area to win. You have to be consistent or score above class averages all the way down the 19 judging criteria to be a Best Cars winner," said Mr Litera.

"Claiming an award like this for the third time in such a competitive sector shows that the design and engineering behind Lexus RX330 continues to hit the mark with Australian drivers," said Scott Grant, divisional manager, Lexus Australia.

The Lexus RX330 Sports Luxury introduced Rear View Camera to Australian drivers in 2003 and gained hands-free Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and 18-inch wheels after an upgrade in 2004.

Both RX330 grades also gained an intelligent Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) that 'sees around corners' in the 2004 upgrade.

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

The 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 and includes a raft of objective independent study results.

"To win three times in a row says that the vehicle was great from the word go and has yet to be challenged," said Mr Litera.

Full scores are available on the Australia's Best Cars official website, http://www.australiasbestcars.com.au.