The Lexus RX was among the first to introduce a zoomy new design theme to the SUV market and this second-generation model builds on the style set by the original RX 300. The shape of the RX 330 is sharply defined by radically raked, body-colored pillars at all four corners of its cabin, with the window frames and posts blacked out to blend with the ovoid side-window opening. The RX 330's raked-back front fascia and headlamps are reminiscent of the Lexus ES 330 sedan.A beefy front bumper and pronounced fender flares are designed to suggest the RX is capable of venturing off the pavement. Door handles are of the reach-through type, more hand-friendly than the fingertip-grip variety and offering less opportunity to break long fingernails or snap away from your fingers when you're in a hurry.
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) uses an on-board processor that calculates the optimum angle to illuminate a turn, then swivels the headlamp closest to the turn accordingly, allowing the driver to see around corners better. AFS comes on all RX 330s with high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps. For 2006, Lexus has made these pricey headlamps harder to steal.