Loaded with kit; now a much better drive; RX 270 a handy addition
Tyre noise on poor roads; need paddle shifters for manual gear changes in all models
Lexus has bad news for the big-name Europeans doing brisk business in the luxury mid-size SUV segment – the new RX lineup. With better prices, better equipment, better looks and better dynamics, the revised Lexus RX – priced from $69,900 - is Lexus at its best.
Here are a few points to contemplate: all Lexus RX models come standard with satellite navigation, leather seats, power tailgate, a reversing camera and 10 airbags – features which add considerably to the price of the European big names. And, family buyers might consider this: with a baby capsule installed in the back seat, the Lexus RX allows front seat occupants to still slide their seats to the maximum rearwards position for optimized legroom – again some European rivals can’t match that.
Like any business, timing is important in the automotive industry and Lexus has nailed the launch of the revised RX range. An international study just completed by Credit Suisse shows sales of luxury SUVs eclipsing luxury passenger cars and in Australia so far this year, medium SUV sales are up by 50 per cent.
2012 Lexus RX Overview
Star-billing for the revised Lexus RX range is the new entry-level RX 270. The four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive model is priced at $69,900.
Lexus has revised the model range so RX 350 and 450h are available in three grades (Luxury, F Sport and Sport Luxury) and there are simple enhancement packs which bring extra goodies in a straight-forward package.
Technical changes are numerous and deliver much better driving dynamics. For starters extra welds around C-Pillar, rear wheel arches, firewall and steering mounts are the keys to sharper response in the twisty stuff.
The full range is:
RX 270 $69,900
RX 350 Luxury $77,900
RX 350 F Sport $85,900
RX 350 Sports Luxury $94.400
RX 450h $82,900
RX 450h F Sport $89,900
RX 450h Sports Luxury $100,900
2012 Lexus RX Engine
Of course the big news under the bonnet is the new, 2.7-litre, four-cylinder Lexus RX 270 which drives the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Code-named the 1AR-FE, the alloy, dual VVT-I engine delivers 138kW at 5800rpm and peak torque of 252Nm at 4200rpm.
The new four-cylinder Lexus RX 270 can run on 91 Octane fuel and offers combined cycle fuel consumption of 9.7l/100kms.
Lexus RX 350 retains its silky 3.5-litre V6 with 204kW/346Nm. As part of the running changes, Lexus has fitted the V6 with new vertical engine mounts for reduced NVH.
Hybrid Lexus 450h has 183kW/317Nm and of course can operate in pure electric mode for up to two kilometers (handy for quiet operation in underground car parks) and always switches to electric drive in reverse. New for the latest version is a ‘Sport’ mode in the driver-select settings.
2012 Lexus RX The Interior
Changes inside show Lexus’ attention to detail. We liked the cream-coloured interior of the RX 350 which was the first model we drove, but regardless of the colour scheme, inside the Lexus RX oozes luxury and style.
Among the changes are the latest second generation version of the Lexus Remote Touch system which governs the operation of navigation, audio, air-con, telephone and audio devices. The mouse-like controller now moves in a flat plane and you ‘click’ for functionality (previously there was a separate ‘enter’ button).
‘Tablet’ fans will be pleased to notice a new central console bin perfectly sized to house them safely and out of sight.
Satellite navigation has also been improved with a hard disk drive and includes SUNA traffic management.
And the head-up display has been boosted with extra information.
Audio is a 12-speaker pioneer system now with DAB radio or a 15-speaker, 350-watt Mark Levinson system is available.
2012 Lexus RX Exterior & Styling
The latest Lexus RX range scores the current Lexus styling cues, becoming the third Lexus model with the new ‘spindle grille’. There are new headlights and Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) which resemble an arrowhead when illuminated and new lower bumpers and front spoilers for each model grade.
Lexus RX 450h adopts the blue background Lexus hybrid colouring.
At the rear are new combination lights, again with the Lexus hallmark arrowhead design.
Model-specific wheels are 18-inch and 19-inch alloys and there are four new exterior colours.
2012 Lexus RX On The Road
Car Showroom drove the new Lexus RX 270, RX 450h and RX 350 F Sport over a varied route of rural and city roads in and around Canberra. Foreign Minister Bob Carr was in the hotel coffee shop prior to departure and we passed a number of ‘Diplomatic Corps’ registered Mercedes-Benz’ on the road…but as Parliament was sitting they probably had more pressing matters on their mind than a rapid trip in the country in a Lexus.
And rapid the Lexus 450h and RX 350 F Sport were. Immediately obvious right off the bat was the shaper steering and firmer, sportier ride which underscores the differences between this RX and the previous generation.
The new, four-cylinder Lexus RX 270 shares the same trait – precision and directness – but with a slightly different feel (well135kgs less and driving the front wheels will do that).
Like Ford’s EcoBoost Falcon, the Lexus RX 270 surprises because the 2.7-litre four-cylinder is such a competent all-rounder. The 138kW/252Nm four-cylinder has a good torque spread and was never wanting for acceleration.
Naturally the Lexus RX 350 F Sport got our top score. With 204kW/346Nm from the 3.5-litre V6, paddle shifters for manual gear changes, performance damper bracing and the firmer F Sport suspension settings, the sporty Lexus RX challenges even Europe’s best in driving dynamics.
2012 Lexus RX Challenges
Maybe it was the coarser chip rural roads in the ACT and Southern NSW, but it seemed like tyre noise was bit more noticeable in the latest Lexus RX…but it’s relative, this is a Lexus after-all and everything is quiet.
2012 Lexus RX Verdict
The Lexus RX range has always been a handy luxury mid-size SUV and Lexus has been smart with this mid-life update. Driving dynamics are considerably better and the sharper value proposition is beyond doubt.
Our favourites are the F Sport models – we just like the sportier looks – but in many ways the new RX 270 is the surprise. The four-cylinder, front-driver is slick on-road and that sub-$70,000 price tag, considering the standard kit, is very impressive.
2012 Lexus RX The Competition
You need to carefully check detailed specifications in this market segment.
BMW’s excellent X3 and Audi’s slick Q5 are priced from $59,200 and $63,400 respectively to $69,900 for the Lexus RX 270. But start ticking boxes for things like leather interior, satellite navigation etc and the dollars for the Germans start climbing.
Starting at $68,900, the Land Rover Discovery is a lot of mid-size SUV and one of our Car Showroom favourites – but again you need to carefully compare specifications to the fully-loaded standard inclusions in the Lexus RX lineup.
Of course those with ‘green’ expectations will only look at the Lexus RX 450h – the only SUV listed inside the top 100 vehicles in the Federal Government’s Green Vehicle Guide. Priced from $82,900 and with combined cycle fuel consumption of 6.3l/100kms, the Lexus RX 450h calls into question the value of European diesels.
And later this year, Lexus’ Japanese rival Infiniti joins the luxury mid-size SUV segment with its FX model. No word on prices yet from Infiniti and car Showroom is yet to drive the FX.
