Like most SUV classes on sale in Australia, there’s no scarcity of selection within the massive premium SUV phase.
The Lexus RX trades on this house, and whereas not representing the standard German model of luxurious that many flock to for high-riding grandeur, the Lexus RX nonetheless trades punches within the gross sales race amongst the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE and Audi Q7.
It completed 2020 because the third best-seller in its phase, crushed by the Mercedes GLE and BMW X5.
It’s a good outcome, contemplating it jumped from sixth best-selling the 12 months earlier than, however what’s the drive behind the come-from-behind robust gross sales displaying?
Learn subsequent Lexus RX 7-seater arrives in Australia
The attract of reliability and serviceability might need one thing to do with it or the truth that it’s one in all just some premium massive SUVs to supply seven seats.
It additionally obtained a lightweight refresh in 2020 which noticed technical and mechanical upgrades utilized to the five-year-old platform.
With this in thoughts, I saddled up in a high-spec RX450hL Luxurious over the vacation break to search out out what this German different provides premium SUV patrons.
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Value and worth
The Lexus RX SUV vary is expansive. Not solely is there a selection of three engines, however every engine variant can be had with a selection of three trim ranges and the 2 dearer powertrains may be had in seven-seat guise.
Our tester is an RX450hL Luxurious, the seven-seat model of the high-end powertrain. With Luxurious trim stage (which is customary), this automobile is $95,888 (earlier than on-road prices).
Contemplating the vary begins at simply over $70,000 and stretches to over $110,000, the RX450hL is within the upper-middle phase of Lexus’ pricing scheme.
Getting right down to the nitty-gritty, our automobile additionally had a $3500 enhancement pack (which provides a sunroof and color head-up show) and $1500 Graphite Black paint which pushed it to a $100,888 (earlier than ORCs) as-tested worth.
MORE 2020 Lexus RX 450h long-term review
As a base, the Luxurious variant options appointments akin to a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, 12-speaker sound system, digital radio, wi-fi telephone charging, heated and ventilated energy entrance seats, leather-accented upholstery, powered steering column and a queuing adaptive cruise management system.
It misses out on objects like adaptive sports activities suspension, panoramic parking cameras, 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system and wooden trim inserts that are all reserved for the Sports activities Luxurious trim grade.
Energy is drawn from a 3.5-litre hybrid six-cylinder engine, essentially the most {powerful} of three petrol engines choices for the RX vary.
That engine sees it priced effectively into premium territory, although few others can declare hybrid powertrains for a comparable worth.
The Volvo XC90 T8 prices $114,990 (earlier than on-road prices) and BMW’s X5 xDrive45e will set you again $133,900 (earlier than ORCs) for comparable tech.
Learn: Lexus RX Crafted special edition revealed
Residing with the Lexus RX450hL
The lasting impression that I’m left with after spending time within the RX450hL is one in all supreme consolation.
On this tester’s opinion, Lexus does a few of the greatest customary specification seats within the automotive enterprise and the RX450hL was no exception.
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The seats are delicate and supportive (even on lengthy journeys), the carpet is thick and plush, and electric-adjustment comfort for the seats and steering wheel made re-acclimatising to the large SUV a breeze.
So too, the seats’ air flow/heating function are a welcome inclusion for summertime highway journeys, and the intensive tri-zone local weather management system (which third-row seaters can management for themselves) hold the cabin snug on the requested temperature.
The cabin shares various storage spots; door bins prolong for bigger bottles, two cupholders within the centre console are useful for keys and wallets and there’s a wi-fi charging tray aft of the shifter.
There’s additionally an upright cushioned slot in your telephone subsequent to the shifter.
Learn Lexus RX 300 long term review
That includes objects like keyless entry and begin, powered tailgate, powered third-row seating deployment, privateness glass, satellite tv for pc navigation and digital radio, the RX450hL is a well-equipped SUV and makes spending time within the cabin a breeze.
Numerous criticism is thrown Lexus’ approach for its persistence with its touchpad-controller which guides the 12.3-inch infotainment display.
It’s not essentially the most intuitive system to make use of, particularly whereas attempting to alter radio stations whereas on the transfer, for instance, although you do get used to the controls in time.
If it does flip right into a bugbear, relaxation assured that the display is now touch-sensitive, which turns out to be useful to manage Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The 12-speaker sound system paired to the infotainment system was sufficient, although I might kick myself for not getting the improbable Mark Levinson 15-speaker system – which solely comes as a part of the dearer Sports activities Luxurious mannequin grade.
There’s a large view and slim view reversing digicam to assist information you backwards, however each are low-resolution shows which is a disgrace to see on a high-end product.
Encompass-view 360-degree cameras can be found, however solely on higher-spec vehicles.
Area-wise, there’s a large amount of room within the first row with sufficient adjustment to get a great, excessive driving place.
On that, imaginative and prescient is nice from the driving force’s seat, with sufficient glass round to comfortably see out as a way to information the large automobile on the town.
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Second-row passengers are additionally well-catered to. The seats fold in a 60/40 vogue and slide again and ahead as such; however there’s additionally good foot, head and knee room throughout the second bench.
Stepping into the third row is a bit tough for taller adults – the expertise is greatest reserved for youths or your least-liked adults.
It’s higher described as a five-plus-two seating association, solely reserved for the odd event the place capability exceeds 5.
The roof is sculpted for first rate headroom, however knee house is tight and also you’re unlikely to suit with out transferring the second row ahead.
With the third row up, there’s nonetheless a good-sized 176 litres of boot house for a few backpacks. Put the third row down and that quantity grows to 432 litres.
This house may be accessed by way of a power-operated boot which may be opened with a wave of your foot beneath the bumper, however I may by no means make it work and ended up wanting a idiot in entrance of pals.
On the entire, the cabin is a well-equipped and cozy place to spend time whether or not it’s a protracted journey or brief metropolis jaunt.
Whereas there’s little in the way in which of thrills, akin to accented trim or ambient lighting, the supplies used all through are pliant and but hard-wearing.
Engine, transmission and drivetrain
As essentially the most economical Lexus RX, the 450h contains a 3.5-litre V6 hybrid engine with a 650-volt battery system and twin electrical motors. Collectively, it outputs a mixed 230kW/335Nm.
Energy is shipped by way of a constantly variable transmission (CVT) which has six stepped ratios (may be modified by way of paddle shifters) and traction is dealt with by way of a part-time all-wheel-drive system which favours the entrance axle.
Lexus says the RX450hL will return a mixed gas consumption determine of 6.0L/100km in a really perfect state of affairs, although I by no means noticed lower than 8.2L/100km.
That is nonetheless a good outcome, however carting round a hefty 2235kg (tare) of weight does take its toll.
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Driving the Lexus RX450hL
Regardless of the most-powerful 230kW/335Nm powertrain, that weight does make itself identified when driving the RX450hL.
It’s not a very gradual automobile – it could actually run from zero to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds – however after an preliminary off-the-line kick thanks quick electrical torque, it does run out of puff when it’s good to speed up on top of things.
That is mostly felt when overtaking on a freeway or merging, an annoyance I grew to become accustomed to when driving down the M1 freeway in direction of the Victorian Surf Coast.
Whereas the naturally-aspirated RX350 isn’t as {powerful} because the hybrid RX450h, crucially, the 350 feels sooner due to its 370Nm torque determine.
Its fuel-saving advantages however, the powertrain does really feel considerably underdone for a big seven-seat premium SUV. It stings when various opponents use turbocharged expertise, too.
That mentioned, its naturally-aspirated/CVT combo does make it exceptionally easy to drive.
The transition from electrical to petrol energy is unnoticeable and it pulls you comfortably on top of things, as one would anticipate from a Lexus.
There’s the choice to drive on full electrical energy, although solely when the automobile’s vitality reserves are full and solely as much as 40km/h or so earlier than it reverts to petrol energy.
Very like its plush carpet and delicate seats, the RX450hL’s trip profile is extraordinarily snug in all conditions.
Round city, it negotiates velocity bumps and potholes with ease, and additional afield it smooths over pockmarked roads and enormous bumps with out fuss.
That delicate suspension tune does trigger it to roll round a bit as you spherical corners, however not worryingly-so – it’s a massive seven-seat SUV in spite of everything.
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Its feather-light steering makes metropolis driving and parking a easy manoeuvre, and manages to retain sufficient really feel to let what’s beneath the tyres when driving rural.
Consolation and comfort is vital within the RX450hL, two attributes it delivers in spades.
How secure is the Lexus RX450hL?
Every RX comes customary with the Lexus Security Suite+ which incorporates autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane hint help, blind-spot monitor with rear-cross visitors alert, automated excessive beams, adaptive cruise management with queuing perform, tyre stress monitoring and ten airbags.
It misses out on a four-camera panoramic view digicam and adaptive excessive beam system that are reserved for the dearer Sports activities Luxurious spec.
The Lexus RX was final security examined by ANCAP in 2015 when it scored 5 stars, although no up to date ranking has been given for this automobile; the facelifted seven-seat model.
How a lot does it value to run the Lexus RX450hL?
The RX450hL is roofed with a four-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
Capped-price servicing is on provide. It must be serviced each 12 months or 15,000km, with every journey costing $595.
Although it does use much less gas than its sub-spec RX350 sibling, we analysed the associated fee/profit end result final 12 months and found it might take a very long time earlier than the added value in buy worth could be amortised by way of fewer visits to the petrol pump.
Learn by way of our long-term loan report for the complete run-down.
A good good thing about Lexus possession is the Encore program which provides an a variety of benefits like service mortgage vehicles, lodge provides, unique occasions and gas reductions.
Extra: Lexus finally offers Apple CarPlay update
Verdict
As a snug cruising SUV, the RX450hL delivers in its transient after which some.
It may not have the bells and whistles of its rivals, however what it does provide is a good set of baseline options and house that can make an possession expertise nice.
As shoppers flip in direction of hybrid and electrical powertrains sooner or later, the Lexus RX450hL provides a fuel-saving possibility that’s probably not matched by something inside its aggressive subset.
After its most up-to-date 2019/20 replace that real introduced tech, security and dynamic enhancement, it’s little marvel how the RX was in a position to bounce from sixth best-seller to 3rd within the house of a 12 months.
Score 4/5
Plus Excellent trip, spacious/snug cabin (for all however third row!), nice function set
Minus Lacklustre powertrain, hybrid energy sees little real-world profit, cabin doesn’t really feel particular
Specs
Mannequin Lexus RX450hL
Engine 3456cc 6cyl, dohc, hybrid
Max energy 230kW @ 6000rpm
Max torque 335Nm @ 4600rpm
Transmission CVT
Weight 2235kg
0-100km/h 7.7sec (claimed)
Financial system 8.2L/100km (examined)
Value $95,888
On sale Now
Click on by way of the photograph gallery on the high of this story for extra pictures of the Lexus RX450hL.
