CROSSOVER IS BALANCED — IN POWER, RIDE, COMFORT
The fourth-generation Ontario-built Lexus RX, in either gas-only 350 form or the gasoline-electric 450h, has been around since the 2016 model year, making it a “mature” product, albeit one that remains the bestselling mid-size luxury crossover in Canada. And the Lexus Hybrid Drive in the RX 450h, which consists of an Atkinson-cycle 3.5-litre V-6, electric motors and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), is no longer leading-edge technology. It's a dollars-to-doughnuts bet that the next-generation RX, likely a 2023 model, will have a plug-in hybrid version.
Until that happens, the current RX 450h rolls on in both five-seat and 450h L seven-seat form, the Hybrid Drive setup delivering smooth, reliable, stress-free
(as in no range anxiety) power. The 2,150-kilogram, mid-size, upscale SUV is rated by NRCAN with compact crossover-like fuel economy — 7.9 L/100 km city/ highway combined. (I averaged 9.5 L/100 km with the F Sport Series 3 tester, in a fairly even mix of highway and in-town driving, with the downside that the Lexus takes premium unleaded fuel.)
The RX 450h's Hybrid Drive puts out 308 net system horsepower, which makes it more powerful than the gas-only
350 (295 hp) — and about 160 kilograms heavier. Getting to
100 km/h takes the better part of seven seconds, which is more leisurely than the RX'S aggressively sporty look suggests. (If you are not familiar with the Lexus naming protocol and think the F Sport packages give you extra zoom, you will be disappointed.)
The 450h's various drive modes have a noticeable effect on how the crossover drives, each setting choice modifying the engine and chassis to some degree. The Sport S setting offers a higher level of performance, with more aggressive throttle mapping and quicker engine response. The all-out Sport S+ setting combines the engine enhancements of Sport S while firming the feel of the electric power steering and stiffening the suspension for flatter cornering. There also are Eco, Normal/customize and, of course, EV modes. While Sport+ improves the handling — assuming you're looking for a more dynamic connection with the road, closer to what the European competition provides — the Lexus is, and always has been, skewed to a calmer, more comfortable ride.
Other than a day's worth of light snow, there was little to challenge the RX'S active torque all-wheel drivetrain, though previous test drives of the crossover haven't delivered any nasty surprises. There's always traction, no matter the road-surface conditions, and the AWD system effectively distributes torque between the front and rear wheels as required.
Naturally, being a Toyota brand, Lexus takes safety very seriously. Every 2022 RX model is headlined by the Lexus Safety System + 2.0, a suite of active safety technologies that includes bicycle and pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, and lane tracing assist. This is in addition to the blindspot monitor with rear cross-traffic braking, rain-sensing wipers, a backup camera and intuitive park assist with auto braking. Very reassuring.
Having determined the 450h is a well-behaved, comfortable, fairly roomy and relatively fuel-efficient vehicle, the question becomes how to equip it. Although it starts off at a reasonable $60,000 for the base Premium Package, it will — as in the case of the F Sport Series 3 — see the MSRP increase to a heady $74,050. As such, the RX is fitted with panoramic sunroof, head-up display, embedded navigation system, adaptive variable suspension, power rear liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, a superb 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, a bunch of safety sensors, F Sport add-ons, and more. In between the base and the topline F Sport Series 3 are another four trim levels, so you can tailor your ride depending on which features you consider important and how big your budget is.
One of the reasons the RX lineup succeeds in the marketplace is because it is the very definition of the word “balanced” — as in power, ride, comfort, amenities and user-friendliness. Which is not to say it is beyond criticism. Stylistically, the Lexus spindle grille is taken to extravagant proportions on the crossover. Few find it an attractive feature, but styling is subjective. The infotainment system's computer mouse-like Remote Touch controller is generally panned for being awkwardly placed on the centre console, making it difficult to use, especially when driving.
There are some other minor annoyances, such as the button for the heated steering wheel being nowhere near the well-hidden buttons for the heated/ventilated seats. Or the “masking” that obscures the lens of the front television camera. These are ergonomic quibbles, though.
The upshot is that for 16 years in hybrid form, the RX 400h and subsequent 450h have not strayed from the crossover's balanced reputation, a comfort for those who value consistency. It will be interesting to see how well the next-generation plugin model will retain the current model's balance while reducing its carbon footprint.