Lexus RX 450h SE-L Premium Road Test Report

Performance

With a 246bhp 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, boosted by not one but two powerful electric motors working in tandem (one at the front, one at the rear), power is boosted to a full 295bhp. There’s no doubting this RX’s impressive overtaking prowess. Floor the throttle and there’s instant and strong acceleration in any gear, although with a sophisticated CVT auto transmission the word ‘gear’ doesn’t really apply. High speed motorway cruising is also a doddle, while three new driving modes (including electric power only) help improve economy and alter throttle response. For the record the figures are 0-62mph in 7.8secs with a 124mph max.

Ride & Handling

Despite feeling a little remote at the wheel, the new RX steers accurately and predictably. Push it hard through a corner and, like most cars, it will eventually understeer predictably. The new RX can be specified with coil springs, or with coils plus an active stabiliser system, or with electronically-controlled air suspension. The active stabilisers do their job of limiting body roll, but by Lexus’ high standards, the coil suspension is well below par, delivering an uncomfortably choppy ride on anything but a billiard table-smooth surface. Do not buy an RX450h unless you can also afford the extra (price tba) for the far superior air suspension.

Build Quality & Reliability

The RX450h is about as complex as modern passenger cars get, and probably more so. As mentioned, it has three motors, electric 4WD, an under-bonnet electronic control box that’s as big as a household generator and more batteries, hybrid and electro-mechanical systems than I could possibly list. That said, Lexus has an unsurpassed reputation in this area, and this has been further enhanced by the RX450h being made in Japan in the world’s only dedicated hybrid production plant where much of the manufacturing process is carried out by programmed robots under strict environmental controls, and where the humans wear pocketless, anti-static clothing.

Safety & Security

Again, there’s simply too much to list, but how’s this for starters: there‘s a new ‘Pre-Crash Safety’ system which, at above 3mph, uses ‘millimetre-wave’ radar to detect objects ahead, determine risk and reduce the chances of an accident happening. This is supported by ‘Pre-Crash Brake’ assist and ‘Pre-Crash Seatbelt’ control. There are front, front knee, curtain, front and rear side air bags, plus ABS with EBD, BA, TRC, VSC+, VDIM, HAC, PCS and ACC, along with auto-levelling LED headlamps with I-AFS. There’s a head-up nav and speed display, Smart Entry, Smart Keyless card, two-stage double-locking deadlocks and much, much more.

Space & Practicality

The RX wouldn’t have become the world’s best-selling SUV without having plenty of cup holders and oddments stowage, and these features are duplicated in the RX450’s newly redesigned interior. Comfort is provided in heaps in the front, while there’s ample space in all directions for two or three rear seat passengers. Boot space with the rear seats up is quoted at 496-litres, but the RX’s GT-style rear end severely restricts its usefulness. Think ‘small hatchback’ rather than ‘big estate car’. For tecchies there’s a new Remote Touch Control system that works like a computer’s mouse to control the on-screen navigation, climate and infotainment, plus there are power sockets, an iPod-compatible USB port, a mini jack socket, Bluetooth connectivity, a 330-watt, 15-speaker Mark Levison audio system, a 40Gb satnav hard drive and… much, much more.

Ownership & Value

The new 450h has 10% more power than the outgoing 400h, but it uses 28% less fuel – a best-in-class 44.8mpg combined. Careful real-world driving should yield 50mpg or more. CO2 at 148g/km means annual road tax of just £105 (Band F). This RX also qualifies for a Benefit-in-Kind tax rate for company car drivers of 14% – way below that for all other similarly-sized SUVs. Insurance groupings are 17E (out of 20) or 40E (out of 50). OTR prices start at £41,600 for the SE model, rising to £55,505 for the SE-L Premium. Too good to be true? If it weren’t for the lousy coil suspension and borderline bootdspace (seats up) it would be.