Lexus has produced loads of genuinely sporty automobiles over time, from the LFA to the GS F, however the RX has by no means been one among them.

With the brand new fifth-generation mannequin that arrived right here earlier this yr, nevertheless, Lexus appears extra severe than ever about positioning it – or at the least a few of its variants – as a sporty SUV.

There’s a brand new hero mannequin, the RX 500h F Sport Efficiency, that sits on the pinnacle of the vary and gives each turbocharging and a hybrid system. Under that sits the hybrid RX 350h and the turbocharged RX 350.

In contrast to the final RX, the F Sport isn’t accessible with an everyday hybrid powertrain or with front-wheel drive. As an alternative, it comes solely within the all-wheel drive RX 350, which swaps the outdated petrol V6 for a turbocharged 4.

There are the standard F Sport accoutrements like sports activities seats and distinctive trim; consider F Sport as Lexus’ equal to BMW’s M Sport, providing a sportier feel and appear with out going to the acute of being a full-fat M (or on this case, F) mannequin. It additionally continues to differentiate itself with normal adaptive suspension, in addition to aluminium monobloc six-piston brake calipers.

On the floor it appears to be a extra severe stab at a sporty SUV and never simply a trim package deal.

It helps with appearances, too, that the brand new RX is a a lot sleeker wanting car than earlier than. It appears decrease and extra hunkered-down, even when it’s an virtually an identical top to the outdated automotive. There’s nonetheless the fussy detailing we’ve come to count on from Lexus fashions from the previous decade or so, nevertheless it however appears sportier.

The query is: is that this truly a sporty SUV?

How a lot does the Lexus RX 350 F Sport price?

The Lexus RX has at all times occupied a considerably completely different area than its rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, utilizing a entrance/all-wheel drive Toyota platform and providing dimensions nearer to the X5 and GLE however with pricing extra in keeping with the X3 and GLC.

The vary opens at $86,904 earlier than on-road prices for the RX 350h Luxurious FWD, and tops out at $124,675 earlier than on-roads for the RX 500h F Sport Efficiency AWD.

Our featured car is someplace close to the center: an RX 350 F Sport AWD, which is priced from $98,370 earlier than on-roads, outfitted with the $4100 Enhancement Pack 2.

It’s additionally completed in White Nova paint. All exterior finishes bar Graphite Black price an extra $1840. Primarily based on a Sydney postcode, you’re taking a look at a drive-away worth of $113,275.

The RX’s pricing places it up towards the externally smaller BMW X3 xDrive30i M Sport ($96,500) and Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 ($104,900), and it considerably undercuts petrol-powered X5 and GLE fashions.

This pricing additionally wedges it between mid-sized and enormous SUVs from different luxurious manufacturers. For instance, the priciest petrol-powered Audi Q5 wagon – the 45 TFSI quattro Sport – is $82,800, whereas the most cost effective Q7 is $108,469.

It’s additionally pricier than a range-topping Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Sport ($85,100) however cheaper than probably the most reasonably priced GV80 ($105,700).

The RX 350 F Sport undercuts the Vary Rover Velar, which opens at $106,250 earlier than on-roads, however its worth places it above the Volvo XC60 Final B6 Darkish ($86,990).

Then there are the automobiles from manufacturers with no premium badge. Volkswagen’s diesel-only Touareg vary is priced from $89,240. Mazda’s CX-60 may be had with a petroleum engine in prime Azami spec for $74,154, and likewise its bigger three-row CX-90 in the identical spec prices $95,185 – all costs above exclude on-road prices.

What’s the Lexus RX 350 F Sport like on the within?

The Lexus RX’s inside is a category act, and at last the model is providing in-car know-how that passes muster within the luxurious automotive market.

Thoughts you, Lexus’ new infotainment system is shared with lesser Toyotas, and there’s no distinctive pores and skin for it such as you’ll discover in say, a Genesis versus a Hyundai.

Nonetheless, we’re blissful to see crisp, clear graphics; an precise touchscreen as a substitute of a trackpad-based interface; wi-fi Apple CarPlay (however wired Android Auto); and an simply accessible shortcut bar. The latter is at all times current on the display, and lets you bounce to features like smartphone mirroring and satellite tv for pc navigation.

An icon resembling six squares additionally takes you to generally used options akin to drive mode choice. And also you don’t must dive into menus for issues like local weather management and the heated/ventilated seat controls as these will even at all times seem on the display.

The digicam high quality can be a lot improved over previous Lexus fashions, if not fairly reaching segment-best standing. The surround-view digicam features a see-through mode, which is helpful.

One factor we do miss from Lexuses of outdated is the twist-knob drive mode selector. It might not have been broadly liked, nevertheless it was simpler to make use of than the brand new touchscreen-based drive mode choice.

At the least Lexus remains to be pro-knob (and pro-button) with regards to local weather management, and there’s loads of bodily switchgear for different key features.

Materials high quality is excellent, as you’ll count on from a Lexus. Sure, the bottom reaches of the doorways are onerous plastic, however in any other case there are swathes of plush supplies together with suede inserts for the doorways and a touch prime and centre console that use among the softest floor supplies I’ve skilled in a brand new automotive.

The paddle shifters additionally really feel like actual metallic, and never chintzy plastic models.

There’s a chic look to the cabin. The massive touchscreen doesn’t look fully like a pill jutting out of the sprint, there’s engaging distinction trim and stitching components to interrupt up all of the black, and gloss black trim is saved to a relative minimal.

There’s colour-adjustable ambient lighting, nevertheless it’s muted; whereas I fairly just like the piece of stitched, suede trim that wraps round one half of the sprint, giving it a two-tier look.

Every thing is screwed along with the extent of care you’d count on from a Lexus, and we noticed no construct high quality points like rattles and creaks. The doorways have a strong really feel, and also you rapidly get used to Lexus’ new-style handles. The handles are additionally helpfully illuminated.

There are different considerate touches, too, like lock settings that permit you to open any door to unlock the automotive, and seats that keep in mind the extent of heating and air flow you had chosen earlier than restarting the car.

These ventilated seats additionally work fantastically, and certainly the seats are significantly snug and supportive with an honest quantity of bolstering. It’s a cushty automotive to spend a scorching day in, too, with wonderful air-conditioning and a well-calibrated Lexus Local weather Concierge operate – a flowery time period for ‘auto’ mode, actually.

The steering wheel is beautiful to grip with its perforated leather-based, although the touch-capacitive controls take some getting used to. The 4 buttons on both sides correspond with a menu that seems within the head-up show, however this technique means some features require an additional press or two.

The digital instrument cluster follows the identical central circle theme as previous Lexus fashions just like the LFA, and due to this fact has a sporty but legible look. Pop the RX in Sport mode and also you additionally get a slick, Mustang-like bar tachometer on the prime.

Storage up entrance is respectable, with a spacious centre console bin that may be opened from both facet and includes a delectably comfortable lid.

There are USB-C shops within the cabin, although Lexus nonetheless makes use of a USB-A outlet for smartphone mirroring.

Step into the again and also you’ll discover two extra USB-C shops, plus temperature controls, a fold-down centre armrest, and bottle holders that match 1L bottles like these up entrance.

The delicate ambient lighting additionally carries via, whereas the rear bench could be very snug.

The ground is generally flat, aiding legroom for the centre-seat occupant. These measuring 180cm or taller will discover their heads touching the roof, whereas the roof additionally fares in barely on the sides and impacts headroom for the outboard occupants.

There are three top-tether and two ISOFIX anchor factors for baby seats.

Open the tailgate and also you’ll discover 612L of area, in addition to a 120V outlet. There are additionally buttons to drop the second row, which expands whole storage capability to 1678L. Underneath the boot ground sits a space-saver spare.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The RX 350 is powered by a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 205kW of energy and 430Nm of torque.

It’s all-wheel drive solely and makes use of an eight-speed computerized transmission.

The brand new, smaller engine sees energy down by 16kW on the outdated 3.5-litre V6, although torque is up by 60Nm. Gas financial system has additionally improved from 9.6L/100km on the mixed cycle to 8.7L/100km.

Over a loop comprising inner-city, suburban and freeway driving, nevertheless, we nonetheless recorded a declare of 9.6L/100km. On a freeway run we noticed 7.6L/100km, whereas total after every week of driving the RX 350 was sitting at 10L/100km.

If most gas effectivity is your want, then, finest to have a look at the RX 350h. In all-wheel drive guise, the hybrid powertrain boasts claimed gas financial system of 5.4L/100km, whereas its 0-100km/h time is barely 0.3 seconds slower.

All RX fashions require 95 RON premium unleaded gas. The RX 350 has a 67.5L gas tank.

How does the Lexus RX 350 F Sport drive?

We don’t suppose anyone actually expects a Lexus RX to be the athlete of the category, however this isn’t merely a comfortable, floaty cruiser both.

There’s a little bit of up and down motion within the journey for what’s ostensibly a sporty crossover, so it doesn’t really feel fairly as tied down as some extra athletic rivals.

The trade-off is journey high quality that’s wonderful. The adaptive dampers agency up a bit in Sport mode, besides configured and pushed throughout unsealed roads, the RX stays extraordinarily snug and easily lopes alongside.

I discovered myself leaving the RX in Customized mode, permitting me to have firmer suspension with out altering the shift mapping. If solely it will default to this mode.

I didn’t see the purpose in setting the transmission to its sportiest setting or utilizing the stunning paddle shifters because the eight-speed is a smooth-shifting unit.

Steering weight and really feel doesn’t change noticeably between drive modes, however the tiller is constantly well-weighted if not probably the most communicative. The dearth of really feel makes the RX rather less confidence-inspiring in additional spirited driving than some rivals, however the well-judged weighting means the RX is straightforward to pilot throughout low-speed manoeuvres.

The RX can be succesful on a winding highway, with well-controlled physique roll and a composed really feel. It holds on properly within the corners, staying good and flat – significantly in Sport mode.

There’s a little bit of understeer on the restrict, and this isn’t fairly as tossable or enjoyable as one thing like an X3, nevertheless it comports itself nicely.

The GA-Okay platform underpinning that is additionally utilized by different fashions just like the Lexus ES, NX in addition to the Toyota Camry, Kluger and RAV4, and as with these fashions there’s been a tangible enchancment in dynamics in comparison with their outdated underpinnings.

With a 0-100km/h time of simply 7.6 seconds, the RX 350 is not any rocketship nevertheless it’s fast sufficient. It’s additionally 0.4 seconds faster to 100km/h than the outdated V6-powered RX 350.

It doesn’t pin you again in your seat off the road, however with peak torque accessible decrease within the rev vary it feels extra versatile than the outdated V6.

The place the brand new turbocharged 4 jars is in its engine notice. It has this oddly gravelly sound once you’re heavier with the throttle, and this appears incongruous for a luxurious SUV – significantly one with a Lexus badge.

It additionally stands out as a result of the automotive is in any other case exceptionally quiet. You waft alongside in tomb-like silence at freeway speeds, with just some faint tyre roar on coarse-chip roads.

Freeway driving is especially nice within the RX not simply due to the dearth of noise, however as a result of the Lane Tracing Help retains you centred in your lane with out continuously feeling prefer it’s awkwardly jerking the wheel. Likewise, the lane-keep help function is well-calibrated.

The driving force consideration monitoring can precisely detect when you look away from the highway – I had just one false constructive, however I used to be carrying sun shades on the time. Lastly, the adaptive LED headlights are very good.

What do you get?

RX 350 F Sport highlights:

• 21-inch gloss black alloy wheels
• Bi-LED headlights
  • BladeScan know-how
  • Adaptive high-beam
  • Dynamic auto-levelling
  • Cornering lights
  • Headlight cleaners
• F Sport exterior look package deal with distinctive bumpers, grille
• Adaptive suspension
• Aluminium monobloc 6-piston calipers
• Palms-free energy tailgate
• Heated exterior mirrors with driver’s facet auto-dimming
• Rear privateness glass
• Encompass-view digicam
• Dimpled leather-wrapped steering wheel
• F Sport scuff plates
• F Sport shifter
• F Sport instrument cluster
• Heated and ventilated entrance sport seats
• Aluminium pedals
• Easy accessibility driver’s seat
• Energy-adjustable steering column
• Contact-sensitive steering wheel controls
• Multi-colour ambient lighting
• 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Lexus Linked Companies
• 5 x USB-C shops, 2 x 12V, 1 x USB-A
• 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system
• Lively Noise Management
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• Rear door sunshades
• Sensible key card
• Tri-zone local weather management
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Paddle shifters

The $3000 Enhancement Pack 1 provides a panoramic sunroof, whereas the $4100 Enhancement Pack 2 contains this plus a digital rear-view mirror, semi-automatic parking help, and a heated steering wheel.

Is the Lexus RX 350 F Sport secure?

The Lexus RX has a five-star ANCAP security ranking, primarily based on 2022 Euro NCAP assessments.

It acquired an grownup occupant safety ranking of 90 per cent, a toddler occupant safety ranking of 89 per cent, a susceptible highway consumer safety ranking of 89 per cent, and a security help ranking of 93 per cent.

Normal security tools contains:

• Autonomous emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise management
• Intersection collision avoidance assist
• Emergency steering help
• Lane departure warning
• Lane Tracing Help (lane centring)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Driver fatigue monitoring
• Encompass-view digicam
• Entrance, rear parking sensors
• Secure exit help

How a lot does the Lexus RX 350 F Sport price to run?

Lexus backs its automobiles with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

The primary 5 providers are capped at $695, for a complete of $3475 over 5 years. That’s on the excessive facet, significantly contemplating Genesis offers you your first 5 providers free of charge.

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

CarExpert’s Tackle the Lexus RX 350 F Sport

The RX 350 F Sport was by no means meant to be a cut-price Urus – that’s why it’s an F Sport, and never an F.

Regardless of the pseudo-sporty engine notice, its efficiency figures are ho-hum. Its dealing with is competent, however not athletic sufficient to win the SUV Olympics.

As with the remainder of the RX vary, the RX 350 F Sport gives a cushty journey and an opulent, spacious and well-appointed inside, although the panoramic sunroof does eat into headroom a bit.

The Lexus RX has at all times excelled as a wise choice on this a part of the market. It’s by no means the sportiest choice (certainly, it’s usually removed from it), nevertheless it has at all times supplied the extent of reliability and high quality anticipated of a Lexus in a cushty, usually well-packaged crossover.

That’s why the brand new era makes extra sense as an RX 350h hybrid, the place it additionally boasts higher gas financial system and a lower cost. One of the wise giant crossovers on the markets is finest purchased in its best guise – who’d have thought?

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