The brand new-generation Lexus RX vary has been on sale for some time now – you’ve most likely seen them round if you happen to dwell in one among Australia’s bigger cities. The truth is, you could have even seen some new-gen RX taxis!

These are invariably the RX 350h Luxurious spec, which is the variant we have now on check. However, particularly, this overview focuses on the all-wheel drive model with the elective Enhancement Pack.

That bumps the value up from base-model ranges to damn-near $100,000 earlier than on-road prices, however I reckon this might nonetheless be the decide of the RX vary.

I’ll let you know why under, and why I additionally reckon this won’t be the perfect luxurious SUV for individuals who fancy themselves to be a little bit of a automobile fanatic.

How a lot does the Lexus RX 350h Luxurious AWD value?

There are 14 derivations of Lexus RX on this era, and in contrast to the final one, none of them are seven-seaters.

That appears extreme to me, and actually, Lexus may have condensed the line-up to half that quantity and nonetheless arguably have met the wants of its prospects.

Take the Lexus RX 350h, for example. You’ll be able to have it in front-wheel drive for $87,500, or you may make it all-wheel drive, like this one, which suggests a soar to $92,000 – all costs exclude on-road prices.

However then if you would like a bunch of the good things this specific mannequin comes with, you have to select the Enhancement Pack, which you’ll be able to have as a 2WD ($92,600) or AWD ($97,500).

In order that’s 4 variants for one variant! Anyway, I feel at $97,500 plus on-roads this grade is a good selection, and the small print of what’s included as commonplace for that sum of money are listed down under.

What else are you able to get at this worth? Properly, a Genesis GV80 2.5T AWD – admittedly, not hybrid – is available in at $97,200. Numerous presence and efficiency for the cash, I reckon.

And if you’re bought on one thing Japanese, giant, and perhaps a bit extra thrilling, then the brand new top-spec Mazda CX-90 six-cylinder petrol G50e Azami at $95,185 could also be a cool left-field selection – plus it presents three rows.

The diesel-powered Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI (from $89,240) may additionally provide some meals for thought. It’s a stunning rig.

What’s the Lexus RX 350h Luxurious AWD like on the within?

The inside of the new-generation Lexus RX is actually an enchancment on the outdated mannequin, however it doesn’t maybe have as a lot ‘all-new’ really feel to it as you would possibly anticipate or hope for.

Positive, there have been huge upgrades to the multimedia display and the supplies are nonetheless of a really excessive perceived high quality, however the design is a bit predictable… however maybe that’s precisely what a Lexus RX purchaser desires.

The display is the large wow issue second contained in the cabin – it’s a standard-fit 14.0-inch touchscreen unit with wired/wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and sat nav. It encompasses the anticipated multimedia parts, however it additionally acts because the management centre for the local weather settings.

There are two dials on the decrease edges of the display for dual-zone local weather, and between them is a ‘arduous’ bar that continues to be on-screen always when working, and it homes many of the different local weather capabilities – fan velocity, recirculating air and so forth.

There are arduous buttons under the display for entrance and rear demisters, and a quantity knob, too.

The controls are okay in most conditions, however the menus upon menus do take some studying. For example, you don’t undergo the Settings>Sound menu to regulate the bass, treble and fader.

You try this by hitting the three-dots icon on the play display if you’re listening to an audio supply. And there are such a lot of sub-menus, that you’ll want greater than per week to get used to the interactions required with the display. The truth is, in comparison with some rivals, it feels a bit unfinished.

The opposite display within the cabin – in entrance of the motive force – is way much less spectacular. If I’m not mistaken, the show used has been round for a decade or extra, and it appears outdated in comparison with the large show for media stuff. It’s low decision and it’s small by trendy requirements. 

Within the Enhancement Pack fashions you additionally rating a head-up show, which tasks an array of color (however it appears monochromatic) data on the windscreen forward of the motive force. You’ll depend on this greater than you would possibly anticipate for cruise management settings and media controls, because the touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel are the controllers for such.

Actually, this setup is a little bit of a focus drain, and I discovered myself wanting on the head-up show quite a bit throughout my week with the automobile as I attempted to be taught the controls. Not as soon as did “this is very easy” cross my thoughts. The controls could be complicated and the buttons are simple to bump, too.

The door handles are one other aspect that provides some “oooh why did they do it that means?” issue. They’re electrically-triggered push-button controls. They’re an attention-grabbing element, however trigger no finish of confusion for the uninitiated. At the least the doorways are very pleasing in the best way the set off actuates the opening, and the strong ‘thunk’ is good, too.

As for storage, the anticipated parts are there, with a pair of cup holders (together with a intelligent height-adjustable backside part), a wi-fi cellphone charging pad, storage nooks, a centre console bin with a lid that may be opened in the direction of or away from the motive force, and large door pockets with bottle holders. 

All of the requisite charging choices can be found, together with USB-A (x 1) and USB-C (x 3) factors for front-seaters, whereas the again seat additionally will get a pair of USB-C ports.

The rear is a fairly accommodating house, with directional air vents, bottle holders within the doorways, a flip-down armrest with cup holders and a storage field, and map pockets on the seat backs. There may be additionally a 3rd local weather zone for rear-seat occupants on this spec.

Grownup occupant house is excellent within the again seat of the RX. I had simply sufficient house to sit down behind my very own 182cm/6’0” driving place.

There’s ample headroom, leg room, knee house and toe room (until you could have huge ft and stretch your legs proper out). There’s additionally ample width to the second row, so three adults throughout the again is doable, simply observe that the middle-seat rider could have a bit much less leg room because of the centre console intrusion.

And sure, I’ve seen fairly just a few new-gen RXs as taxis. I don’t know whether or not I’d need to spend $100,000 of my cash on the identical automobile that taxi drivers are utilizing, however it reveals the practicality on provide.

Dad and mom will probably be comfortable to know there are outboard ISOFIX factors and three top-tether factors as effectively.

Within the boot, there’s a fairly good quantity of house on provide, with Lexus quoting 612 litres of cargo capability. The Luxurious grade doesn’t get a spare wheel, nevertheless – it comes with a tyre restore package.

The underfloor part homes that package, plus an emergency triangle and a few further storage.

What’s below the bonnet?

This model of the Lexus RX comes with a miserly powertrain – a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid setup.

Most mixed energy output is 184kW, and like Toyota, Lexus doesn’t provide a mixed torque output. 

The engine runs on the Atkinson cycle, and makes use of an eCVT automated transmission to channel grunt the place it’s wanted. In contrast to some newer Toyota fashions, although, the battery used on this Lexus is a nickel-metal hydride unit.

As talked about, there’s the selection of 2WD (front-wheel drive) or E-4 (all-wheel drive), which provides an electrical motor to the rear axle.

How does the Lexus RX 350h Luxurious AWD drive?

I bear in mind driving the final RX on the launch of the ultimate facelift and considering ‘that is simply advantageous for individuals who need a luxurious driving expertise, however don’t care about enjoyable issue’.

The identical thought occurred to me after driving this new-gen RX, which is much more luxurious and cozy than the final one, and even a bit extra satisfying. However nonetheless, it’s not a automobile you end up itching to drive repeatedly.

That may very well be the goal marketplace for this sort of luxurious SUV from this luxurious model. And that’s 100 per cent, completely advantageous – I simply assume that if I used to be spending this sort of cash on an SUV, I’d need it to be a bit extra rewarding and attractive to drive.

Look, the hybrid powertrain is basically good. The two.5-litre petrol engine will kick to life when required, and at idle and low speeds is if you discover it most.

However for probably the most half, the hybrid system is at all times dipping again into the EV battery reserves in its makes an attempt to make progress as effectively as doable. 

It is usually luxurious in consequence, with a near-silent drive expertise in some conditions. There’s ample urge accessible as effectively, and if you actually thump the throttle you may get from A to B fairly swiftly.

The chassis setup errs in the direction of consolation, because it ought to, with an honest high quality of journey consolation on provide in almost all conditions – although I famous a little bit of lumpiness over the sharper-edged bumps in city driving.

A little bit of physique roll to take care of within the twisty bits too, however I didn’t exit of my technique to push this automobile to its limits. It’s not that type of automobile.

The steering can be properly predictable and weighted effectively, too, with a responsive motion and easy-to-guess behaviour in all conditions.

Braking is perhaps one thing you’ll should get accustomed to if you happen to’re new to hybrid driving, as there’s a little bit of a distinct really feel to the pedal than in non-hybrid fashions because of the regen braking system. It’s higher than within the final RX, although.

And whereas it’s all-wheel drive, the chassis is ready as much as be front-wheel drive primarily, with the rear axle solely kicking to motion if and when required. Even so, I famous just a few situations the place the entrance tyres would spin and scramble for traction at low speeds, even in dry circumstances.

All instructed, it’s an excellent luxurious SUV drive, and a really Lexus-like expertise – providing comfy commuting and simple driving. If that’s what you’re after, this can tick the field for you. In order for you one thing extra thrilling, there are quite a few different decisions you would make.

What do you get?

You don’t actually get “base mannequin” vibes from the usual tools checklist, however nor must you at this sort of cash.

RX 350h Luxurious highlights:

• Bi-LED headlights
• LED daytime operating lights, fog lights
• Heated exterior mirrors with driver’s aspect auto-dimming
• Rear privateness glass
• 19-inch alloy wheels with vivid machined end
• Roof rails
• Energy tailgate
• 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• 12-speaker Panasonic sound system
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Lexus Related Companies
• 5 x USB-C, 2 x 12V, 1 x USB-A
• 8-way energy entrance seats with two-way energy lumbar
• Heated entrance seats
• Leatherette upholstery
• Tri-zone local weather management
• Energy-adjustable steering column
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Paddle shifters
• Ambient lighting

Enhancement Pack ($5500) provides:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Leather-based upholstery
• Ventilated entrance seats
• Quick access seat
• Driver’s seat reminiscence
• Head-up show
• ‘Excessive-grade’ instrument cluster show
• Good key card
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• Contact-sensitive steering wheel controls

I may do with out these annoying touch-controls on the steering wheel (troublesome to make use of accurately, simple to make use of incorrectly), however in any other case, the step as much as Enhancement Pack ranges of drugs appears fully worthwhile.

Is the Lexus RX 350h Luxurious AWD secure?

he Lexus RX has achieved the utmost five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on 2022 testing protocols.

For these eager on a rating breakdown, its grownup occupant safety ranking was 90 per cent, its little one occupant safety ranking was 89 per cent, its weak street consumer safety ranking was an ANCAP-record-high 89 per cent, and its security help ranking was 93 per cent.

Commonplace security options embody:

• 8 airbags incl. entrance centre, driver’s knee
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection (day, evening)
  • Bike owner detection (day, evening)
  • Motorcyclist detection (day)
• Emergency steering help
• Acceleration acceleration suppression (low velocity)
• Adaptive cruise management
  • Curve velocity discount
  • Overtaking prevention
• Lane departure warning
• Lane Hint Help (centring)
• Auto high-beam
• Highway signal help
• Entrance, rear Parking Assist Brake
• Entrance, rear parking sensors
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing digicam
• Protected Exit Help
• Tyre stress monitor
• Trailer sway management

RX Sports activities Luxurious provides:

• Adaptive Excessive-Beam System
• Panoramic View Monitor (360 cameras)

All of it appears fairly good on paper, however I feel Lexus ought to have match the RX with a surround-view digicam as commonplace.

This isn’t a straightforward automobile to see out of – it’s a big SUV with numerous emphasis on curvy traces – and a panoramic digicam system is offered on dearer fashions.

How a lot does the Lexus RX 350h Luxurious AWD value to run?

Let’s discuss gas use first.

The official mixed cycle determine for the RX 350h AWD is 5.4 litres per 100km, which is phenomenal for a car that’s greater than 4.9 metres lengthy and weighs 2005kg (kerb).

On my check, which coated per week of driving in blended circumstances together with city, freeway, and freeway motoring, I noticed a return of 6.3L/100km. Okay, however not as attractive because the sticker could have advised it must be.

As for ongoing possession concerns, the model backs the RX with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, and the battery guarantee is equivalent – however can lengthen by as much as 5 further years (10-year/limitless km) if the automobile is serviced/checked by Lexus. 

There’s a five-year/75,000km capped-price servicing plan accessible, with upkeep due each 12 months/15,000km. Nonetheless, the service value state of affairs is on the excessive aspect, with every of the primary 5 visits costing $695.

Roadside help is included as a part of the Lexus Encore program, which spans three years. That additionally permits homeowners to have their automobile collected and returned for servicing, in addition to providing homeowners entry to a mortgage automobile if their car is out of motion.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Lexus RX 350h Luxurious AWD

The Lexus RX 350h Luxurious with Enhancement Pack looks as if cash effectively spent if you would like a luxurious, comfy and environment friendly luxurious SUV with an honest quantity of house and heaps of normal inclusions.

It’s going to swimsuit consumers who need a predictable and polished various to the opposite luxurious manufacturers on the market. However as I discovered, it won’t attraction to those that need one thing that’s thrilling to drive.

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