Lexus RX350L

Upmarket seven-seater finds space at a premium

TALK about subtle. Unless you see them side-by-side, you’ll have trouble picking apart the newly arrived Lexus RX L from the fiveseat RX that’s been on sale here since 2015.

Lexus says all the sheetmetal behind the seven-seat RX L’s B-pillar is unique, but you’ll need to squint to tell. Both variants share the same wheelbases, with the RX L getting another 110mm grafted on aft of the rear axle. The only real hint that something is different is the chrome trim above the L’s rear quarter window – it arches the opposite way to the regular RX’S. Oh, and the tailgate glass is a few degrees steeper.

So Lexus has adeptly camouflaged the new variant’s bigger butt, yet doing so fails to gloss over a number of compromises from a packaging point of view. Yes, we know those two fold-out third row seats are only intended to be used occasionally, but even Lexus admits that anyone over 160cm will feel cramped back there, and the high beltline means they’ll also struggle to look out through that thin triangular quarter window as well.

Are your kids claustrophobic? No? Banishing them to the RX L’s third row might change that. At least Lexus has provided thirdrow occupants with their own climate control console and dedicated air vents.

But it’s not just those in the rearmost seats that will struggle to get comfy. The second row has to be slid forward a fair way to liberate enough footroom for those behind, which dramatically cuts second-row knee room unless the front seats are also inched forward. The RX L is, in effect, a 5+2, rather than a true seven-seater.

The power-adjustable secondrow seats of the regular RX have also been replaced by a manually adjusted bench to facilitate access to the second row.

It’s not all bad news, though. There’s still ample luggage space even with the third row raised, and those seats are deployed electrically so you don’t need to wrestle with straps or levers. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, and the ride is plush even on standard 20-inch alloys.

The 3.5-litre V6 that powers the RX350L is showing its age, however, and while the extra 110kg mass of the seven-seater is barely felt in around-town motoring, the RX remains one of the less dynamic offerings in its segment. Last year one in five luxury SUVS sold in Australia had seven seats, so the arrival of the RX L is clearly needed in the Lexus line-up. Unfortunately, those searching for a triple-row family hauler in this segment can find many more accommodating alternatives.