Lexus RX330 (2003-2006) review: the generation that made the RX a real family SUV
3.2/5MotorsSouq Editorial Team
The RX330 is the pick of the early RX generations for a Bahraini family that wants real rear-seat space and a genuinely torquey V6 without stepping up to a much newer, more expensive car. It is not a desert vehicle and the AWD system is tuned for on-road grip, not sand, but as a comfortable, reliable school-run and highway SUV it still does the job. Insist on timing belt records before you commit.
Pros
- Bigger, torquier V6 and roomier cabin than the first-generation RX300
- Genuinely comfortable ride quality on rough Bahraini roads
- Well understood by independent workshops locally, keeping costs down
- Strong resale floor at the bottom end of the Lexus used market
Cons
- Timing belt neglect is the single biggest risk on unverified examples
- AWD is tuned for road grip, not sand or off-road use
- Cabin tech is dated even by mid-2000s standards
- No factory warranty left on any used example today
Lexus stretched almost every dimension of the RX for its second generation: more length, more width, a longer wheelbase, and a bigger 3.3-litre V6 in place of the original 3.0. The result is a noticeably roomier cabin and a car that no longer feels like an SUV-shaped sedan — this is the generation where the RX started to genuinely compete on space with mid-size crossovers rather than just on badge and comfort.
Engine and drivetrain reality
The 3MZ-FE V6 trades some of the original engine's silkiness for usable low-down torque, which suits Bahrain's stop-start city traffic better than the outgoing car's higher-revving character. The five-speed automatic is a straightforward, well-proven unit with no particular reputation for trouble. As with the RX300, the timing belt (not a chain) needs to be replaced on schedule; buying a car with no proof it has been done is the single biggest risk on this generation.
What to check before buying
Look for the same age-related items as any 20-year-old Lexus: dashboard cracking under Bahrain's sun, suspension bushings, and AWD transfer case seals. None of these are expensive to sort locally, and the platform is well understood by independent workshops here, which keeps running costs reasonable.
On the road
Ride quality is the RX330's strongest card — genuinely plush over Bahrain's rougher back roads, with wind and road noise kept well in check for a car this age. It is not quick and does not pretend to be; treat it as a comfortable highway cruiser and school-run car and it will not disappoint.