Lexus RX

Exterior

What gets your attention is just how modern the design is – right from the large Lexus signature grille to the sleek tail lamps at the rear. The front-end looks sharp and aggressive with those razor-blade-like headlamps, and the L-shaped slits on either side of the front bumper. There's even chrome outlining the grille. Along the side, you'll notice quite a couple of sharp character lines and mildly flared wheel arches that house 18-inch alloy wheels. Do note the floating roof touch towards the rear. The tailgate too gets some sharp definitions that make it stand out.

Variants

The Lexus RX 450h variants are as follows: Luxury and F-Sport. Features include a 360-degree camera, Heads Up Display, 15-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system, panoramic sunroof, touchless power tailgate, cruise control, Lexus Remote Touch Controller, 10-way driver and passenger power adjustable seats with memory, front and rear seat heater and rain-sensing wipers. On the safety front, it is equipped with 10 airbags, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, ABS and stability control. Of the lot, our choice remains to be the Luxury variant, as the high-rant Lexus RX on-road price for the F-Sport variant is a bit underwhelming.

Interior

The cabin of the RX 450h is nothing short of modernistic either. The large windscreen allows for a good view of out-front, and the low-set dashboard is well crafted. With the help of the easy-to-use Remote Touch Interface, you can control settings on the 12.3-inch high-resolution screen. The centre console, which faces more towards the driver, is a blend of stylish brushed aluminium elements, silver accents and good quality plastics. The black and wine-red leather combination look nice and bang on the price. Lexus RX’s overall fit and finish is at par with any other luxury SUV out there. Also, huge seats are very comfortable and wide. Space at the rear is not an issue; the seats provide good support and legroom is ample too. The backrest can be reclined at the touch of a button. However, headroom is just about right for someone who isn't too tall.

Engine Specifications & Performance

The Lexus RX 450h is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and a pair of electric motors that make a combined output of 308bhp and 335Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via an E-CVT gearbox. The RX is very refined when driven at a relaxed pace. Road noise is kept at bay, while performance is quite good too, with 0-100kph coming up in just 7.7 seconds. Power delivery is linear, and it's only at the higher RPMs that the engine feels strained. In Normal mode, the ride is supple, thanks to the adjustable dampers. It deals with bumps rather well. In Sport+ mode, the suspension becomes stiff, but by and large, ride quality is good. The tyres provide good grip, and there isn't much body roll either. Going around corners is fun, as you can carry a decent pace while at it. And the steering is light and responsive.

Mileage

The Lexus RX new model’s ARAI-certified fuel efficiency figure is rated at 18.8kmpl for the petrol-hybrid model.