2016 Lexus RX 450h Premier review

At once a significantly better high-class soft-roader - and probably a better Lexus - than ever the RX has been before, doing everything that Lexus’s established customer base will expect of it, and some things much better than the outgoing car did. And while it's no more diverting as a driver’s car, and still not a particularly economical example of the big SUV breed, the RX’s new-found dynamic maturity suits it well.

Inside, readily apparent material quality and excellent fit and finish distinguish the cabin. As we’ve already written, the car’s fixtures and switches look and feel very substantial. High-end examples such as our test car even get polished, laser-etched wood trim on the centre console, made by the same people responsible for the panelling on Yamaha's grand pianos. Annoyingly, there is no ‘piano black’ option (oh, the irony).

Passenger space is now more than adequate, although still a bit tight in both rows of seats on outright headroom for larger adults. Boot space isn’t generous enough to write home about but it’s fairly plentiful - and expandable via back seats that slide, tilt and fold.

On the move, the RX450h is outstandingly refined even under combustive power. The V6 petrol engine’s noise and vibration are well suppressed, and both wind and road noise are kept at an impressive low. The car’s ride is compliant, quiet and relaxed but can be tripped up over more severe intrusions, which the continuously variable dampers of our test car seemed to struggle to smooth out. 

Body control is very respectable and steering response is decent, with good weight and pace in the wheel although little perceptible road feel. Grip levels were only moderately good on the 18in wheels of our test car, with understeer presenting in the car’s handling mix quite early on – but the car’s traction and stability controls keep a stern check on your line when inevitably called upon.

The car’s hybrid powertrain feels like a marginally cleverer, stronger take on what went before: more muscular on a part throttle and a bit faster and smoother in blending power sources. It is, however, still frustrating in manual mode, and likewise in general when you want to feel a close mechanical connection with the car. Typical daily driving produced 30-35mpg from it, according to the trip computer. Acceptable economy, but no selling point in itself. 

Not if you like to feel engaged by, occasionally amused by, or even vaguely connected to your luxury 4x4. While it commands respect for all sorts of reasons, the RX450h feels as soulless now as the original RX400h did a decade ago and, although relaxing, it’s never likely to serve the interested driver well.

But I’d understand why those convinced by the petrol-electric SUV concept would play it safe with this car rather than take a risk on one of the many lower-CO2 plug-in hybrid alternatives now emerging onto the market - and plenty will. Although monotone, the RX450h’s driving experience has a reassuring sheen to it, and there’s now a broader completeness about the car that’s easy to approve of.