It is not surprising that Lexus keeps the RX up to date; especially in the US the car is very popular. In the Netherlands, the sales figures are a lot less impressive, but here the RX managed to grow over the years into the third (CT and IS) most popular Lexus to date.
The well-known family face of the Japanese brand remained intact with the recent facelift of the RX, but secretly almost the entire front is new. Headlights, grille and front bumper all have a different shape and also a different layout. The front looks a bit flatter and wider than before and now fits better with more modern Lexus models such as the ES and LS.
The RX undoubtedly owes its popularity to its hybrid technology. The partly electric powertrain reduces consumption and CO2 emissions and thus also the purchase price. Meanwhile, more and more competitors are appearing who are trying to compete with him in that area. Almost without exception, the weapon with which that happens is the plug-in hybrid. In the form of a low bpm rate, there is still a considerable tax advantage on these cars. The RX does not offer that option, because the brand sticks to the hybrid concept without a plug.
Well-known drivetrain
The powertrain of the RX has not been tinkered with during the facelift, which means that a 3.5-liter V6 is at the base. The Lexus is therefore increasingly an exception, because the four-cylinder is now also common in this segment. Thanks to the smart collaboration with a small battery pack, two electric motors and a stepless automatic transmission, the version with 20-inch wheels should be able to drive 1 in 17 according to Lexus. In practice, more than 1 in 12 turns out to be more realistic, but that is still very neat for a car of this size. What helps is that the car emphatically invites a calm driving style. What’s called: there are few cars that evoke relaxation like this Lexus. The steering is light as a feather, the seats are wonderfully soft, the car is very quiet and the chassis is wonderfully comfortable. As a result, the missing air suspension is not missing. Very clever, especially because the car feels stable and there is no annoying swaying. The drivetrain fits well in this picture.
The cooperation between the electric and combustion engine runs smoothly, the response to the accelerator pedal is jerk-free and predictable and what can be heard from the engine is nothing more than an excessive, powerful hum under normal conditions. When the gas goes to the bottom, that overboard feeling will go overboard. Then the engine is speeded up and the car seems to be having less time. The stepless box can be ‘switched’ with flippers behind the wheel if desired, but that feels a bit unnatural. It is also better to leave the sports mode alone. The conscious choice for comfort for a car like this is excellent in our opinion.
Touchpad
Perhaps the most important news of the Lexus RX is the infotainment system. Previously, the fourth generation of the car, launched in 2015, received the much-hated ‘mouse button’, but it has now been replaced by the touchpad that can also be found in newer models. In addition, the central screen can now also be used as a touchscreen, for which it is also placed a few centimeters closer to the driver. Finally, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were added, so that Google Maps and Spotify can now also be conjured on the screen. All changes ensure that people can suddenly live with the system, although we don’t really want to give it more credit than that. In this segment you can expect a certain lead in the technological field, but that is actually not to be found in this Lexus. The screen is nice and large and the menu structure is fairly easy to understand, but in terms of resolution, number of functions and operation, there are much cheaper cars that score more points. It is also clear from the instrumentation that the RX is no longer the latest. Instead of a modern screen, we find two meters and a small screen here, although it must be said that the ‘energy meter’ in the sports mode turns artfully into a rev counter. In other areas, the RX makes no attempt to be overly fashionable either. Instead of piano lacquer and trendy touch keys, we find a center console full of clearly arranged, physical buttons. So less hip, but with a crystal clear operation. Moreover, the quality of it splashes and you never have to browse through menus for a long time to find a certain function. The RX interior is therefore just as relaxing as its driving behavior. Even the seat heating and ventilation work automatically if you want and thinking about settings and functions is simply not an issue. The RX is never a disturbance factor, but is also not at the forefront when it comes to fun gadgets.