In my recent review of the 2008 Lexus RX 400h, I said the hybrid version of Lexus’ RX 350 was in dire need of an update. Well, I guess the folks at Lexus agreed with me, because they completely redesigned their best-selling RX to make it faster, quieter and techie-er for the 2010 model year.

Fans of the RX have no need to worry: The new version isn’t a radical departure from the current one, but there are countless small changes that add up to a huge difference in the driving experience.

The 2010 RX 350, which hits dealerships in February, maintains its well-known silhouette. Lexus sharpened some of the RX’s edges and created a stronger, bolder face. Overall, it’s a bit more angular; by pushing the wheels out to the corners of the vehicle, Lexus made the RX seem wider and lower to the ground. The new look speaks to the new, faster, more powerful engine and its fabulous performance.

We all know how much teens need their sleep; turns out, just an extra hour could help save a teen’s life.

A Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine study found that by moving school start times back an hour and giving teens a little more time to snooze, the likelihood of them getting into a car accident could be lowered. The study of 10,000 Kentucky students found a 16.5 percent drop in accident rates for teen drivers when high schools moved their start time from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. We bet a lot of teens would support similar moves in their own schools, though it would probably come more from a desire to get extra sleep than it would safety concerns. Whatever works!

There was a lot of craziness in 2008. What were some of the highlights? I’ll share some of my favorites:

* I loved that manufacturers are making the third rows in their vehicles more comfortable for the passengers back there. More legroom, moonroofs and easy access abounded in many of the cars I tested with third rows. On a safety note, more automakers are putting in Latch connectors and seat belt receptors that are easier to use.

* I liked the fact that smaller cars are becoming more accommodating toward families, with easy-to-access Latch connectors, folding seats and flexible cargo space, plus cupholders stashed in clever places.

With two children in diapers, I have a lot of landfill guilt. I’m too busy and grossed out — or perhaps just not feeling guilty enough — to use cloth diapers. Please don’t look down your nose at me for this. I know they’ve improved since the olden days, etc., etc., I just don’t use them, OK?

Of course, that means I go through my fair share of Pampers, and my landfill-filling diaper footprint isn’t what I’d like it to be. That weighs on me.

Dear Santa,

I have a bone to pick with you. Last year I asked you for only one thing, the 2008 Lexus IS F sedan from the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. I awoke on Christmas morning and the car was neither under the tree nor was it in my garage with a big bow on it. Needless to say, I was then and still remain, completely mystified. I was a good girl — nay, a fabulous girl — last year and thought that would have been enough to get the one thing I asked for.

President Bush made a $13.4 billion loan available to GM and Chrysler today. Bush tapped the $700 billion fund that was created earlier this year to bail out Wall Street firms and banks.

GM will receive $9.4 billion and Chrysler will get $4 billion. What are some of the terms? Both companies will need to show that they’re viable by March 31, 2009, or their loans will be called. The companies are also expected to negotiate with the United Auto Workers to bring union wages in line with those offered by foreign automakers. Executive pay will be limited, and some perks, including private jets, will be eliminated.

Here we go, folks. The Big Three are trimming operations and idling plants in an effort to stave off bankruptcy.

Beginning Friday, Chrysler will be halting production for at least a month, according to a CNN.com article. The embattled company stated that it would idle all of its North American plants because of the “continued lack of consumer credit for the American car buyer” and the resulting sales slowdown. Chrysler usually halts production for two weeks over the holidays.

If you own a Britax Frontier child-safety seat be sure to check the restraints before you buckle your child into it. Britax has issued a voluntary safety recall on its Frontier combination Harness-2-Booster because the harness straps can become detached from the metal yoke on the back of the seat.

The harness straps are able to slip off the yoke if they’re repeatedly loosened one strap at a time, according to Britax. Britax will send Frontier owners two rubber caps that fit on the metal yoke slots and keep the straps from detaching. In the meantime, parents can simply reattach the straps to the yoke and keep using their car seat, according to the company. I know the company says it’s safe to use the seat, but I’d feel uneasy every time I strapped my son into it. I’m just a little bit neurotic when it comes to car safety, so I’d probably have to check the straps every time we used the seat.

This recall affects Frontier models E9L54E7, E9L54H6, E9L54H7 and E9L54M6 made between April 1-Sept. 14, 2008, and model E9L5490 made between April 1-Sept. 17, 2008. A label with the seat’s model number and manufactured date can be found at the top of the seat back on the child’s right-hand side.

If you’ve already registered your Frontier seat and it’s affected by the recall, Britax will mail rubber caps and an instruction sheet to you no later than Jan. 7, 2009. If you haven’t registered your car seat, you can call Britax 800-683-2045 or visit FrontierRecall.