Loving life in the comfort zone

With the premium SUV market more packed than ever, it’s easy to forget a few of the stragglers that exist in the segment. In a world of Mercedes GLEs, BMW X5s and Audi Q7s, it’s a difficult task for anyone else at the party - and arguably that’s been the case with the latest Lexus RX. Despite offering class-exclusive hybrid technology for a long time, and a reputation for reliability that’s unrivalled by its main rivals, buyers have generally failed to be swayed by the Japanese SUV. That’s something Lexus is hoping to rectify, with a refresh for the fourth-generation RX.

WHAT’S NEW?

The design of the RX remains much the same, albeit with tweaks to both the front and rear bumpers, revised headlights and a new mesh pattern for its grille. It’s inside that things become noticeable. There’s now the option of captain’s chairs in the middle row to maximise passenger comfort, while a repositioning of the third row in ‘L’ cars sees 95mm of extra legroom for those farthest back. Chassis tweaks have been made in a bid to improve the car’s handling, with a host of new safety tech introduced as well. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay finally arrive on the car, too.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? In terms of overall comfort and refinement, the Lexus RX is tough to beat. This was previously the case, but its new suspension setup only aids its ability to glide over rough road surfaces - perfect for covering long distances. It’s also exceptionally quiet inside the car too; you could probably hear a pin drop in the cabin at 70mph if you’re doing without audio for a bit. Our F Sport test car also wears new dampers that aim to make the car a little more engaging to drive.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? Pricing for the Lexus RX kicks off at £52,705 - securing a base model with the premium pack. Standard equipment includes 20-inch alloy wheels, heated/ ventilated electric leather front seats, keyless entry and start, a 12.3-inch infotainment display with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a heated steering wheel. Our F Sport test model weighs in at £55,205.

The alterations to the Lexus RX are impressive. It’s more comfortable than before and drives a little bit better too. That said, boot space continues to let the car down and that’s something that will likely take a whole new generation of car to remedy. If practicality isn’t your main concern though, this is a comfortable and well-kitted choice to make.