SAME BUT DIFFERENT
Lexus’ RX 350h and 500h hybrid SUVs are dramatically different underneath
While the all-electric RZ might be the centre of attention in the Japanese luxury brand’s mid-tolarge SUV line-up at the moment, it is well worth remembering that Lexus still makes another largish SUV in the form of the RX hybrid.
The RX sits on the same bunch of bits as the Toyota Highlander, including the 184kW/239Nm
2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol hybrid powertrain. But the
RX line deviates from the Highlander at the top, where the Toyota used to have a V6 model (but that has now been dropped in favour of a range-topper with the
2.5 hybrid), the RX 500h gets an all-new and completely different
273kW/460Nm 2.4-litre turbo hybrid powertrain.
Which leaves the RX in the interesting situation of having two different four-cylinder petrolelectric powertrains, with the difference being that the one in most of the range is a traditionally frugal hybrid, while the one in the top-spec model is oriented more towards performance.
The RX 350h Premium opens the range at $124,600 and comes with a healthy amount of standard kit (as you would expect for the price tag) that includes 19-inch alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, a 12-speaker audio system and 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display, electrically adjustable synthetic leather seats, LED lights all round and Lexus’ full suite of safety and driver assists.
Lexus says the 184kW/239Nm drivetrain will propel the RX 350h from 0-100km in 7.9 seconds, and
it actually feels brisker than that, but the most impressive number is the claim of 6.0l/100km average combined fuel consumption, which is incredibly easy to match (and even beat) in daily driving without even trying to be frugal.
The RX 350h is everything you would expect from a Lexus, meaning it is beautifully put together, has a superbly comfortable and high-quality interior (with some fantastic seats) and wafts along with the sort of imperious refinement to its ride and performance that makes it a true luxury car.
And while the ride quality is superb, handling doesn’t suffer for it, with the RX displaying an impressively agile and responsive attitude, particularly for a close-tofive-metre-long (it’s 4890mm) SUV.
No, it’s not a sports car, but it has a responsive and composed nature that will happily be up for a bit of hustling along a winding country road, if the need arises.
While it is perfectly capable of being punched along, the RX 350h is actually the perfect car for somebody who really isn’t interested in driving — its massively refined nature and the serene atmosphere it creates makes even commuting in heavy traffic a more pleasant experience.
If, however, you prefer a bit more punch to your luxury SUV, then the RX 500h F Sport Performance that tops the range at $149,800 is where you will be looking.
The 500h takes everything that the 350h gets and ups it considerably, adding 21-inch alloy wheels, a 21-speaker Mark
Levinson audio system, “UltraSuede” accented real leather upholstery, dark aluminium interior trim and a panoramic sunroof. And, of course, that significantly more powerful 2.4-litre 273kW/460Nm hybrid powertrain.
Lexus claims the 500h will scamper to the legal speed limit in 6.2 seconds, with a combined average fuel consumption of
7.2l/100km.
The RX 500h’s acceleration seems somewhat underwhelming at first, as it doesn’t exactly bolt off the line, but it does wind up progressively and, unusually for an electrically-assisted system, really comes to life a bit higher in its rev range.
This makes passing other cars a breeze, as the mid-range punch of the 500h is an absolute highlight, bringing a more satisfyingly muscular approach to open road driving and making it a truly effortless distance devourer.
This does come at the expense of frugality though, as you would expect. While Lexus claims
7.2l/100km, this is harder to realise in real world driving than the RX
350h’s lesser figure on a daily basis, but a big, luxurious and impressively powerful SUV that returns single digit fuel consumption figures is still a very impressive thing.
While there is more than $25k between the two, both the RX 350h Premium and the RX 500h provide solid value for money for a satisfyingly luxurious big SUV. While the 350h will appeal to those who want luxury with frugality, the
500h adds significantly more muscle and even more luxury to the blend — but is it worth the extra money?
Personally, for my money, I would probably split the difference and go for the RX 350h Limited for $135,800 (or splash out on the 350h Limited Enhancement Pack for $140,000).
While the 500h’s extra punch is appreciated at open road speeds, the majority of the time the difference between the two isn’t so apparent, so the extra luxury of the 350h Limited hits the sweet spot between the two rather nicely without the associated jump in price the extra power of the 500h also demands.