Lexus RX350 F-Sport: Not too shaby

What is it?

In typical attention to detail, Lexus (read Toyota) has updated its popular RX lineup with a hybrid or two.

The fifth-generation family-size SUV introduces the entry-RX 350h hybrid and the flagship RX 500h F Sport Performance.

Not that Lexus has turned its back totally on full fossil fuel power.

Customers can also choose from the RX 350 F Sport with turbocharged performance internal combustion engine with electronically controlled all-wheel drive.

What’s it cost?

Prices start at $90,060 for the RX 350h Luxury FWD, plus on-road costs, and top out at $127,434 for the RX 500h Sport Performance AWD.

A couple of cost-option enhancement packs are available.

On test was the RX 350 F Sport with turbocharged ICE with electronically controlled all- wheel drive from around $100,000.

Added were an EP with panoramic sunroof, digital rear-view mirror, intelligent parking assist and heated steering wheel.

Naturally, the titular RX 350 Sport has a sharper look than its normal siblings, with 21- inch alloy wheels with gloss black finish, unique Sport front and rear bumpers and grille, F Sport badging, plus black roof rails and exterior mirror caps.

Convenience is foremost up front with high-grade triple projector bi-LED headlights with Blade Scan tech and cleaners, dynamic auto-levelling cornering lights, power tailgate with kick sensor and easy access to the driver s seat, plus smart key card.

Simplicity is the byword for the Lexus RX F Sport instruments and controls a welcome mix of touch screen knobs and switches.

And gone is the awkward touch pad, the bain of this driver s life.

A head-up windscreen display is always welcome.

An expansive 14.0-inch, high-definition touchscreen giving access to Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, built-in satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio through 21- speaker Mark Levinson premium audio and myriad Lexus Connected Services.

Five USB-C ports can be found around the cabin, along with a couple of 12V sockets and one USB-A outlet for multimedia connection and smartphone charging.

Across the latest RX range, safety is paramount.

A comprehensive suite of Lexus Safety Sense+ active features is included.

Top of the list is the Pre-Collision System with intersection collision avoidance support, emergency steering assist and low-speed acceleration suppression, lane departure alert, dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, parking support brake, blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert.

Also new is a driver monitoring camera that assesses the pilot s state of attention on the road.

Pre-collision system, autonomous emergency braking, intersection collision avoidance, vehicle stability control, downhill assist control, hill-start assist control, ABS with brake assist, trailer sway control, vehicle braking posture control, vehicle dynamic integrated management, active cornering assist are also featured.

All Lexus vehicles come with a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty.

Lexus Encore adds three years’ access to events, fuel discounts, service loan cars, and Lexus DriveCare roadside assistance that features breakdown help, flat-tyre aid and towing.

What’s it go like?

The car’s sporting character carries over to the cabin with a luxury focus on heated, eight-way adjustable front seats with two-way lumbar adjustment, with synthetic leather trim and three-zone climate control with air purification.

There’s rear air vents, power steering column adjustment, paddle shifts, interior illumination auto dimming rear-view mirror carpeted floor, four cup holders, plus cargo privacy cover.

Luggage is supported by a 612-litre rear space with all seat backs up increasing to 1678 litres with rear seat backs folded.

Opening the doors from inside may take some getting used to because of safe exit assist , which incorporates a new e-latch electrically operated door handles that can detect cyclists or vehicles passing close and keep the door closed to avoid an accident.

The range topper RX 500h hybrid calls on a high-performance 2.4 litre turbo petrol engine producing 273kW, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission, in parallel with a hybrid system and all-wheel drive.

Our RX 350 F Sport makes do with a four- cylinder turbo petrol motor putting out 205kW and 430Nm through electronically controlled all-wheel drive.

The 2.4-litre turbocharged engine replaces the 3.5-litre non-turbo V6 in the previous RX.

The new engine develops 205kW as opposed to 221kW of the V6 but boasts 430Nm of torque from as low as 1700 up to 3600 rpm, compared to the V6’s 370Nm at 4600 to 4700rpm.

Generally, the test RX 350 F Sport went about its business in a quietly refined way.

However, most noticeable was a raspy engine note under acceleration.

Expect to use up to 10.0L/100km in mixed urban/highway driving.

F Sport also has been subject to improvements in road handling with Adaptive Variable Suspension and superior stopping power with aluminium monoblock six-piston callipers for an upgraded Lexus Driving Signature experience.

All models in the RX range have a maximum towing capacity of 1500kg braked or 750kg unbraked.

Three years of complimentary Lexus Connected Services enables a paired smartphone to check details like fuel level and vehicle location, review details of recent trips, send navigation destinations to the car remotely and more.

What we like?

• Sharper look than its normal siblings
• Triple projector bi-LED headlights
• Welcome mix of touch screen knobs and switches
• Gone is the awkward touch pad

What we don’t like?

• Opening the doors from inside may take some getting used
• Raspy engine note under acceleration
• Towing capacity of 1500kg braked

The bottom line?

While introducing petrol/electric hybrid powertrains to its sports utility vehicle range, the RX 350 F Sport ICE SUV is a further example of Lexus covering all bases.

 

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