Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Lexus SUV that drives into the future




Lexus RX 450h+ drive by Steve Rogers

Opening the door to this RX is like stepping into the future.

Lexus has packed so much technology into its sophisticated SUV it is a wonder there is any room left for seats!

A simple function like opening the door sets the tech tone. There is no squeezing the handle, just touch and the door opens electronically.

And then there is the Alexa-style voice control. No looking for the steering wheel button, just say ‘hey Lexus’, make your request and hey presto. I couldn’t find the heated rear window switch, well it is tiny, but when asked, on it came. It is the same for changing heating settings, radio stations, navigation destinations etc, etc.

There are loads more as you are about to find out. The RX is a premium SUV and has been around for 20 odd years although it took a while for it to get noticed. Now it is rubbing shoulders with heavyweights like BMW, Volvo, Genesis and Audi.

This fifth generation is the first plug-in hybrid and comes with 40 miles of electric power, not the best in the class but enough to get most people to work and back. A full recharge takes a couple of hours.

Not that there is any fear of range anxiety, on long hauls the petrol engine does the work recharging the battery pack at the same time through regenerative braking although do not expect big numbers, the most I accumulated was three miles according to the dashboard readout.

A useful feature is the ability to store up those 40 miles of electricity until needed, otherwise the system works automatically switching seamlessly between the power modes.

Unlike most of its rivals the RX really does stand out in the crowd. The body design borders on the spectacular with its slashes and creases, snazzy grille and coupe style roofline. This is one smart looking car.

The space age theme carries on into the cabin. If the Genesis GV80 SUV featured a few weeks ago was plush then the RX is plush and ultra modern. Never mind 2024, this would not look out of place in 2034.

Most of what you see is digital, it’s what we have come to expect from Lexus. The driver display is packed with information, just select a menu and toggle using the steering wheel buttons. There are more menus in the 14in central touchscreen where everything is crystal clear and super responsive, but heating controls are separate with chunky knobs along with radio volume control. Why can’t everyone do this?

The cabin is like a comfy front room at home. Perfectly shaped seats and plenty of width, something you notice more in the back where three burly ruby forwards could sit in comfort. Quality trim and fittings are a given in a car with this price tag but unlike the more stately surroundings of the Genesis the RX is truly contemporary and all the better for it.

At first glance the boot space looks generous with a power fold for the back seats but the 461 litres falls well short of the Volvo XC90 and the warehouse 770 litres for the Audi Q7, but the package is plenty big enough for a family’s chattels, besides which the RX is far more stylish than the mundane looking Q7.

Plug in hybrid is the only new element of the 2.5 litre petrol engine now beefed up by the 18.1kWh battery pack powering two electric motors. Steering wheel paddle shifters are a welcome addition to the CVT gearbox which has improved down the years. A sprint to sixty in just over six seconds is perfectly acceptable.

The car is supremely comfortable and at its best on main roads. The slightly soft suspension set up makes for a floaty ride on winding country roads but only if pushed. Selecting sport takes away the edge and it is surprising how much fun you can have with this big all wheel drive car.

The technology fest covers safety in a big way with so many aids it is difficult to see how an RX driver could cause an accident apart from being totally stupid. Collision avoidance, rear cross traffic alert can be found on most cars but a valuable additional aid is safe exit which prevents doors being opened into the path of vehicles or pedestrians. How useful that might be.

Lexus has covered most bases with RX and the plug-in hybrid widens the field particularly for company car drivers who must be licking their lips at the initial tax advantage from such low engine emissions.

There are bigger SUVs out there but for me RX is pretty irresistible.

Fast facts

RX 450h+ F Sport Design

£69,995

2.5 litre; 304bhp

0-62mpg 6.5secs; 124mph

25-26g/km. 1st road tax £10

Insurance group 45

Boot: 461 litres

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