What is it?
More fresh fodder for the heavy-of-wallet luxury SUV buyer, should the lustre already be wearing off the six-month-old Audi Q7, Volvo XC90 or Mercedes-Benz GLE on the driveway. We drove the new, fourth-generation Lexus RX in Europe, in left-hand-drive form, only last month. Now’s our chance to see how it copes with British roads, in otherwise identical, top-of-the-range Premier trim.
The all-new car is no softly-softly rehash. Built on a stiffened and extended all-steel platform, it is a sizeable 120mm longer than the outgoing RX, with half of that extra length added within the wheelbase in order to address one of the car’s long-standing shortcomings: a deficit of cabin space.
An aerodynamic body design is alleged to deliver telling improvements on cruising efficiency and refinement, while slightly softened suspension springs and stiffened bushings, steering mounts and anti-roll bars have been adopted in order to supersede the excitable ride of the outgoing RX, with the accepted dynamic compromise of the car becoming more of a luxury family cruiser. Over all of that, Lexus has wrapped a body styled more adventurously than that of its predecessor, to which fans of the brand’s alternative aesthetic should quickly warm.
There are only two powertrain options in the RX range: a 235bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol, badged RX200t, and our 308bhp RX450h, which combines a 259bhp 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with an electric motor mounted on each axle.
With CO2 emissions from 120g/km, the 450h offers a generous equipment level as well as the prospect of a £100-a-month company car tax saving to those who might otherwise buy a six-cylinder diesel alternative.
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LexusRx450 Premier
I am a little tired of the negative comments I read about the RX. Prior to buying this latest model I tried and rejected The new Jaguar , the Latest version of the Land Rover Sport and the Audi Q5. Leaving aside the fuel economy (ave 28mpg) the RX provides exellent handling and effortless long distance motorway performance. The Jaguar particularly was poor in handling and power. It also makes sense surely to opt for the Hybrid option to reduce polution! The new driver lane assistance, and Radar cruise control are both exellent.
Last was a dogs dinner
New one sounds and looks much better but I also question the comment
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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.
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No mention that this function manages a FLAT situation or not?? Personally I wouldnt consider buying it if it didnt. Simple fact - half the point of owning one is because you use the bloody thing and having a flat floors space is essential
Yet another shameless Japanese cut-and-paste job
The analogue clock and the vents are carbon copies of those on the Mercedes E-class.
The central control stack is a rip-off of the 3 Series.
The dashboard fascia moulding is a straight copy of the Audi A4, even down to the aluminium inserts around the side vent.
Even the steering wheel has been lifted straight out of the A4 and the 3 Series.
I'll admit that there has been less flagrant copying with their external styling, but unfortunately the result is one of remarkable ugliness.
And they have the cheek to charge £58,000 for this?
The japanese must think there are still a lot of mugs in this country to fleece.
Irony...
Can't you see the irony of your post? "Lifted straight out of the Mercedes and BMW"... in other words, if it's the same in those two, then one must have photocopied the other... same with your steering wheel and Audi and BMW comment... so the Germans are allowed to copy but the Japanese aren't? And you're calling who mugs? Go away and get fleeced at your local German stealer...