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In 1998, Lexus introduced the RX luxury SUV to the North American market. I just happened to be in North America at the time, minding my own business and holidaying with family up there in a bitterly cold Canada. My uncle’s neighbours, both doctors, had taken delivery of a new car, and my uncle, knowing his nephew’s fervour towards cars, thought to ask them if I could come and take a look.
They obliged, of course, and I walked into their garage to see a car that blew my mind. The Lexus RX300, finished in a champagne-golden colour, represented the first luxury SUV I had ever seen. Large expanses of beige leather adorned the door panels and seats, and polished wood surfaces encircled a sizable central screen display and car media system. It’s a vivid memory for me and one that I recount as I take delivery of the all-new, 5th-generation Lexus RX350 F Sport model for a month-long test.
Since 1998, the idea of a luxury SUV has gone from novel to entirely commonplace. So much so that Lexus, at some point, found itself losing market share as the likes of BMW, Range Rover, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi claimed pieces of the pie over the decades.
The modern Lexus is renowned for its bold, cutting-edge design inspired by Japanese precision. This new generation is far more appealing in its overall design, with more rounded surfaces and fewer hard edges than before. The rear carries a light bar that runs right across the surface, not entirely new in segment but certainly done in perhaps the most visually tasteful way. Another standout cue of the exterior design is the C-pillar that morphs into a charcoal blade that carries towards the rear. It’s a far more palatable design if you were offended by the sharp edges of the previous RX model.
The interior design is equally captivating, with a curved, multi-layered dashboard that is angled towards the driver. The layers of high-quality materials and well-crafted stitching and moulding make for a cabin that can only be accepted as a premium-level effort. It is a stunning cabin, especially in the details of its layout.
Thankfully, the RX isn’t just pretty to see and touch; Lexus has done the unthinkable. After decades of motoring media and customers lamenting the unworkable infotainment setup, the new one hasn’t just improved the operating concept but innovated to segment-leading levels. That point is perhaps arguable only as far as tastes are concerned, but the good news is that that large 14-inch screen in the centre of the dashboard is excellent, beyond the fact that it is easier to use. In addition to an intuitive layout and UX, the screen is managed by a processor that is ultra-fast, crystal clear in its graphic display, and not prone to overheating even in the harshest summer sun. That can’t be said of all its rivals, with the Range Rover cars perhaps being the worst in that regard. It’s also designed from a material that seems far less susceptible to oil stains from our grubby fingers. Buttons and dials are still employed for climate control and volume functions. Thank you, Lexus. It took you a while, but the result is applauded.
Lexus has also opted to do something different with something as simple as how you open and close the doors. The RX uses an electronic push-button system for both entry and exit, and while it takes some getting used to, once you get the hang of it, it works well enough. What it means, though, is that unlocking or locking the vehicle won’t emit any sound of actual locking mechanisms moving; instead, the lights will flicker, and that’s about it. In South Africa, where we triple-check if our car is locked every time we park somewhere, this system will take some getting used to.
That said, the overall functional experience in the Lexus is top-draw. From the comfortable design of all seats to the clearly marked visual layout of all the cabin’s functions, the RX, even in the entry-level 350 guise, is genuinely impressive. The 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system is designed for operatically inclined audiophiles who savour the full mix of musical sounds as opposed to the doof-doof blurted out by most mainstream radio stations. In other words, it could be considered lacking on the bass level, but that’s really for those who are that way inclined. Otherwise, it’s excellent for the more discerning buyer. A full 64-colour ambient lighting display also adds to the Lexus in-car experience. It’s just a new take on Lexus luxury. This serene luxury is compromised by the incessant nagging of safety beeps when parking or negotiating in confined spaces. And then there’s the actual safety intervention for emergencies—more on that later.
As a practical offering, the Lexus RX offers 612 litres of boot space with a nifty kick-function to open the boot lid. The rear seats fold down electronically, another nifty trick, and that opens the rear quarters up to an even more useful 1,680 litres. Note that the seats don’t fold entirely flat.
The new Lexus is offered in a choice of five derivatives, most of which use hybridised powertrains. The full line-up is larger than before, with more choice among the hybrid models differentiated by performance and economy. My time was spent behind the wheel of the non-hybrid RX350, which employs a 2.4-litre, in-line turbo-petrol mill good for 205kW and 430Nm of torque. For a start, the powertrain isn’t lacking in power, despite this being a large, premium SUV. The transmission is really well suited to this application, especially when the need for comfort and refinement is in order. The long-distance ability is sumptuous and well-insulated, ably assisted by a smooth-shifting 8-speed transmission. When you do require all the power available, the engine note isn’t entirely flattering, but this is no sports car, even though its designation states it is. The F ‘Sport’ nomenclature refers more to the blackened alloys and trim treatment than to out-and-out dynamics.
The steering, too, is suited to comfort rather than sportiness, even in Sport driving mode, but don’t let that detract from the fact that the RX is really good at refined motoring. Dynamically, the AWD system keeps the car sure-footed for the most part, and under very hard driving, the RX will push out at the front as one would expect. Again, this is not a sports car. The adaptive all-wheel drive system dealt with muddy roads without too much fanfare. We spent a lot of time on gravel roads during our test, and the ride quality, though still very good, is let down by a slightly hard suspension setup. At one point, in an attempt to test the comfort change rather than because it was intolerable, we did decide to lower the tyre pressure, which did help the situation.
Having said all that, the new RX is certainly the best-riding and most tech-laden RX ever. Another innovative bit of tech can be experienced from behind the wheel within the heads-up display unit. All of the buttons located on the steering wheel are touch-sensitive pads that control a myriad of car functions, but the innovation is that these are all displayed through the menu on the head-up display only. Turn up the volume? You’ll do it from the wheel, but see the action on the HUD. Want to engage cruise control or take a call? You’ll do all of it on the wheel pads, but observe all of it on the HUD. It may seem strange at first, but it works incredibly well and actually feels safer than seeing it all play out on the driver’s display because your eyes essentially remain focused on the road ahead. Nifty stuff.
Speaking of cruise control, the adaptive cruise function is excellent in terms of its processing power and how fast it reads what is ahead of the car. The system is less erratic in terms of braking and accelerating than you may get from some of its competitors, but mind you, this is only when travelling forwards. The same can’t be said of its rear emergency braking system, which is quite simply terrible. The system is overly sensitive, so every time I reversed into my garage, the system detected something that wasn't there and applied the emergency braking measures with alarming speed. I noted that a few other people had picked up on the same issue. That is about the worst of the RX’s qualities.
Unlike its German or UK competitors, the Lexus RX is fully equipped without much in the way of additional options. This RX350 F Sport retails at under R1.6 million, and that is right below all of the major players mentioned above, all for a fully appointed vehicle. Consider that this all-in price when compared to the base price for a number of rivals, makes the Lexus a very attractive proposition. It’s right on the money as far as perceived value is concerned.
The Lexus also benefits from a healthy distribution and solid name in terms of support and parts availability. There's no doubt that as a value proposition, the RX is hard to argue with right through to its 7-yr/105 000km warranties and Maintenance Plans.
The Lexus RX350 F Sport is a refreshing alternative to the popular establishment. Its design is inoffensive, classy, and sporty at the same time. Its cabin UX isn’t the Christmas tree of lights that is exhibited in other cabins. It’s a spacious, airy, tasteful, and tactile sensory experience with innovative luxury touches that you won’t find elsewhere.
And then, of course, Lexus has really upped its game with this new infotainment setup. They haven’t just copied what’s out there, which they could have, and we wouldn’t have minded. But instead, they’ve taken it a step further, put a bit of Lexus craftsmanship into it, and reinvented the idea of in-car driver ergonomics.
The RX really should be considered if you’re in the market. It plays the role of a consummate luxury SUV just as well as it does as a family car with designer appeal.
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