Across twenty-five years and five generations, the Lexus RX has been a clear favourite among those looking for practicable luxury, Japanese reliability and long-term value. Today, we review the RX 350h, one of the hybrids from the new range, which also includes the RX 500h and the RX 350 petrol version. With the introduction of these hybrids, the RX promises to add another S to the keywords in the headline – sustainability.
The Design
Largely known for Japanese underplayed design, Lexus has in recent years spilt some drama on its design, especially with the introduction of the F-Sport variant. In the Lexus RX 350h too, it weighs down heavily on the spindle grille and a few complex lines tapering towards the rear. The boomerang LED lamps, the dual colour exteriors and the 21” alloy wheels are striking. The overall design looks good and bears the unmistakable signature of Lexus but then, the crisscrossed pattern of the expansive grille seems to have a likeness to one of the better-known Chinese brands in the market – so much for the global scheme of things that picks top design talents from iconic premium brands to drape relatively new brands with the established mien of luxury. However, the familial design traits of the brand sure hold their stead in the new RX.
The RX has grown over the years and now stands at a formidable 4890 mm, as a solid and spacious midsize luxury crossover. (Remember that the RX model was only 4575 mm long at the turn of the century – grown by more than a foot in the past two decades.)
Cabin impressions
The Lexus RX 350h cabin is a combination of understated elegance and pleasing touches of luxury. The semi-aniline leather, wooden strips on the dash and other soft touch materials make luxury felt without being loud. Even the door-side speakers are placed within a suede-like base. Intriguing touches include invisible handles and thumb-buttons that push open the door.
The front seats are ventilated with the option of hot or cold air while the rear gets the added comfort of reclining seats – simply press a button to lean back a few inches – perfectly set to enjoy the wide screen entertainment fixed onto the two front seatbacks. The two rear window seats are the most comfortable because the foldable armrest makes for a hard backrest in the middle.
The RX 350h cabin has three-zone air-conditioning; by the way, I’ve always wondered why 25º in a Lexus cabin feels more like a 20º in many other cars! People love the Lexus for its formidable cooling power. If you don’t mind the fact that this cabin doesn’t look as expensive as its German rivals, you will probably find even more comfort in here.
Space and storage
The spaciousness isn’t reserved only for the passengers but also for their luggage, coffee cups and mobile phones. The front armrest lid can be opened from both sides and hides copious space. There are little deep pockets all around – door side, dash, the console bridge and front seatback flaps. The Lexus RX boot is among the most generous in its segment. The 612 L can take care of a month’s worth of vacation luggage and extra-large strollers but then 1066 L more is waiting on you when the rear seats are folded, with the mere touch of a button! In comparison, the Audi Q3 offers 520L but BMW X5 has 650L.
Everyday technology for the road
The Lexus RX 350h marks its technological prowess with three screens in front – a 12.3” driver info cluster that has nothing dramatic about it – just driving essentials. The 14” central screen cleanly lists the function pages including navigation and comfort settings. There is one for the hybrid power status that displays battery levels and the current energy source; another for the entire array of driver assistance features that cover lane changes, blind spots as well as front and rear cross traffic. The Lexus safety technology not only warns but intervenes in time to avoid collisions. The all-round safety of 7 SRS airbags cares for the driver with knee-protection as well.
There is a reasonably efficient wireless charger and a separate deck to place another mobile. Android Auto, Apple Carplay and six USB charging ports are standard fare to be expected. The AC controls are twin turn dials. I like the dependable mix of digital and manual, even though the whole system isn’t without minor irritants like a couple of irresponsive buttons. The cocoon is all the more luxurious for the presence of a 21-speaker Mark Levinson system, which I find to be in true Lexus character – delightful, sensitive yet not bombastic.
The third screen is the head up projection, which had something unique – display of the steering wheel controls that controlled features like music track choices and drive report. Interestingly, the information to be displayed could be selected by viewing the choices on the projected display – thoughtful, but your thumb reactions and head up vigilance might need to get used to this first. Until then, you might find the controls a bit layered.
Lexus RX 300h has a fairly advanced and thoughtfully engineered camera system. Besides the top view, the larger screen affords a transparent view that reveals what is below the vehicle and around the tyres. Equally useful is the fact that the camera stays on even after the reverse gear is disengaged and the vehicle moves forward – very helpful to negotiate parking and difficult turns. Flaunting its share of electronic tech, the rearview mirror gets a camera monitor that can adjusted for how much of the road behind do you want filling the monitor.
The Drive
The Lexus RX 350h is a hybrid electric vehicle driven by a 2.5L inline-4 petrol engine and two electric motors – one for the front wheels and the other for the rear. The RX is an all-wheel drive. The combined output is 246 hp and 316 Nm of torque (I reckon the motors contribute 77 Nm of it) which is not earth-shattering but capable of delivering a 0 – 100 kmph sprint in 8.1 seconds. The more powerful RX 500h uses the same 2.4 L turbo engine that drives the new Land Cruiser Prado 250.
The Lexus RX 350h drive is marked by a pleasantly interesting contradiction. You sense the largeness of this family car and yet find the confidence in handling it in curves and corners. The AWD doesn’t translate to any off-road mode beyond the normal, eco and sport.
Like other Lexus and Toyota hybrids, this too isn’t a plug-in hybrid – the convenience hybrid buyers have always appreciated. The battery gets recharged either through regenerative braking and deceleration on EV mode and through a generator while on ICE mode. On some drives I thought the recharging wasn’t quick enough but the system quickly made up. There were eight cells shown in the graphics and I could see the three-cell status move up to five eventually. Anyway, the fully charged car promised me over 750 km (it has a 65L fuel tank) but my drive suggested it could be more with responsible use. The average fuel economy displayed was 14.2 km, counting in earlier drives too, but I recorded 19.3 km per litre on smooth, highway drives.
The essential Lexus RX 350h
The RX 350h that I tested is priced at AED 325,000, which won’t look as steep when compared with the tags of illustrious rivals. There is something about the Lexus drive that provides a unique measure of luxury. It isn’t really the smoothness of the ride or the sense of safety or the solid presence that sets the RX 350h apart. It is the silence of the cabin – still quieter in the hybrid avatar – that truly marks the Lexus glide.
