Item: Lexus RX
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

A 3.5-litre petrol V6 paired with two electric motors to give you a combined power output of 308bhp and four-wheel drive. It’s a refined engine with a pleasing sound but isn't particularly frugal.

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In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

Every RX and RXL comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and an electric tailgate. Inside, you get faux-leather seats with electric adjustment and heating for the front seats, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone screen mirroring and a wireless phone charger. Automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance are standard too.


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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

If you’re looking for a trouble-free ownership experience, you’re unlikely to go wrong with an RX. Lexus always ranks highly for reliability and customer service in our surveys, and topped the chart in the What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-and-worst-car-brands-for-reliability/n19604">Reliability Survey</a>.

Company car drivers used to be well served&nbsp;by its relatively low CO2 output but emissions from&nbsp;178g/km (depending on trim level) are not that great by modern standards. Indeed, all versions of the RX are in the top (37%) band for benefit-in-kind <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/company-car-tax-bands/n1255">(BIK)</a> tax. If you're looking for&nbsp;a luxury SUV&nbsp;with cheap tax bills, consider plug-in hybrid versions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/review/n87">Audi Q7</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc90/4x4/review/n99">Volvo XC90</a>.

You won’t be disappointed by the amount of&nbsp;equipment you get –&nbsp;even the entry-level RX&nbsp;model comes with heated front seats, dual-zone climate control,&nbsp;LED headlights and keyless entry. We reckon it's the pick of the range, although going for Premium trim&nbsp;swaps the faux-leather for real leather seats and adds a ventilation function to stop you getting a sweaty back.&nbsp;F-Sport and Takumi trims are too pricey to recommend, even though they bring yet more luxuries.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/euro-ncap-safety-ratings-2019-%E2%80%93-how-safe-is-your-car/n17044">Euro NCAP</a> gave the Lexus RX a five-star (out&nbsp;of five) safety rating, although it was tested a few years ago, when the tests were far less strict.&nbsp;You get plenty of standard safety kit, including 10 airbags and active safety systems&nbsp;such as automatic emergency braking <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-new-car-technology-that-could-save-your-life/n17548">lane-keeping assistance</a>.

A three-year, 60,000-mile warranty is standard, which is par for the course, but extended warranties are available. The hybrid components and battery are covered for five years or 60,000 miles.

The Lexus RX's 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine (the only option)&nbsp;drives the front wheels via a CVT automatic gearbox and is paired with two electric motors.

One motor helps out the engine while the other is fitted to the rear axle to give you four-wheel drive, with a combined power output of 308bhp. That's more than a diesel-powered <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/review/n87">Audi Q7</a>&nbsp;50 TDI, but because the Q7&nbsp;has more low-rev urgency, it feels stronger on the road than the RX.

You probably won't buy this RX for its performance, then, but you might be tempted by its comfy ride. All but entry-level models get Lexus’s adaptive suspension, which can be stiffened or softened to suit your mood.

Left in the soft Normal mode, the RX absorbs bumps well, particularly small road imperfections that can make some rival SUVs fidget constantly. Bigger obstacles, such as speed humps, are dealt with without you being jostled around unnecessarily, but certain sharp-edged bumps send a shudder through the interior, which you wouldn't get in a Q7 with air suspension.&nbsp;

Unfortunately, even if you switch to the firmest Sport+ mode, there's considerable body lean and overall grip levels aren’t that impressive compared to rivals. The Q7, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc90/4x4/review/n99">Volvo XC90</a>&nbsp;all handle more tidily, even if none is truly fun in the way the smaller <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/macan/4x4/review/n52">Porsche Macan</a> is. The F Sport version&nbsp;of the RX has specifically tuned suspension to make it more agile, but the changes don't make a great deal of difference.

The RX makes a very relaxing motorway cruiser, though, with little wind noise save from a quiet rustle around the base of the screen. The dominant noise at motorway speeds is road noise, but it's no louder than in big-wheeled rivals&nbsp;such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/gle/estate/review/n145">Mercedes GLE</a>.

As for the noise from under the bonnet,&nbsp;the RX will run almost silently for short periods on battery power alone when driven gently, and the changeover between electric and petrol&nbsp;power is hardly noticeable. The engine is hushed when pootling around at low speeds, and&nbsp;while the revs do soar when put your foot down harder, it's nowhere near as raucous as previous versions of the RX.

The regenerative brakes, which recover energy that would otherwise be lost when braking to recharge the battery, are not so well-mannered. They’re quite grabby, which makes it difficult to slow your progress smoothly. You’ll notice the&nbsp;difference if you’ve just driven an SUV with conventional brakes.

OUR PICK

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You don’t know if an idea is good until you try it, and that was probably&nbsp;the thinking behind the Lexus RX&nbsp;– the original hybrid luxury SUV.

That engine and body style combination made the first-generation RX a pioneer, but these days car makers are clamouring to add electric power to&nbsp;popular SUVs. They range from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a> xDrive45e plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) to mild-hybrid versions of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/review/n87">Audi Q7</a>.

Not to be left behind, Lexus has kept&nbsp;the RX evolving over the years, making it comfier, quieter and even more laden with cutting-edge equipment. The&nbsp;latest one even has the smartphone capability that until recently has been conspicuous by its absence from most Lexus models.

The RX line-up is fairly straightforward, with a choice of just one engine and four different trim levels (ranging from suitably luxurious to full-on lavish), and the cheapest versions undercut most other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-suvs-2021/n17036">luxury SUVs</a> on price.&nbsp;Here, we're focusing on the regular five-seater – if you want seven seats, we have a full separate review of the&nbsp;family-friendly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/rx/4x4/review/n200">RX L model</a>.

Over the next few pages, we’ll tell you how the RX compares with its key rivals in all the areas that matter, including what it's like to drive, how pleasant it is for passengers, what safety kit it has&nbsp;and whether you'll find it&nbsp;costly to buy and run. We'll also let you know whether it should be on your shortlist – or is best avoided altogether.

If you do decide to buy&nbsp;one, or indeed a vehicle of any make and model, make sure you find out how much you could save on the brochure price without having to haggle by using the free What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/luxury-suv">New Car Buying</a> pages, where there are some very appealing <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/lexus/rx/4x4/deals">Lexus RX deals</a>.

The Lexus RX feels luxurious from behind the wheel, with comfortable seats and a wide range of seat and steering wheel adjustments to make it relatively easy to find a good driving position.

The quality of the interior is pretty high, too. While some of the materials might not quite be up there with more popular high-end alternatives&nbsp;such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/review/n87">Audi Q7</a>, everything is very well finished, lending the RX a premium feel. The soft leather-trimmed door pulls and other appealing details&nbsp;go a long way to lift the ambience.

As for infotainment, you get <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>/<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> smartphone mirroring as standard, allowing you to display your phone’s apps on the screen. The media and sat-nav system’s interface, which uses a touchpad instead of a dial, is tricky to use,&nbsp;especially on the move. Thankfully, the screen itself is touch-sensitive so punching in a postcode is simple.&nbsp;

The Lexus RX is well-equipped and relatively frugal, but is otherwise outclassed by rivals

The RX comes with five seats, which is two fewer than&nbsp;the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 (or, indeed, the RX's seven-seater stablemate, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/rx/4x4/review/n200">Lexus RX L</a>).&nbsp;That said, unless you really need to ferry around more than four passengers, you’re not going to struggle for space.

There’s plenty of room in the front and the interior lay-out promotes a suitably&nbsp;airy feel. Big door pockets, multiple cupholders and storage cubbies mean you have plenty of places to put your phone, wallet and&nbsp;other paraphernalia.

In the back, there's room for three adults, but the passenger in the middle gets less head room than those either side&nbsp;because their seat is higher. There’s no floor hump tunnel to straddle, though, which helps make the RX&nbsp;more comfortable for the middle passenger than some rivals.

The boot is smaller than the ones&nbsp;in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/review/n87">Audi Q7</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc90/4x4/review/n99">Volvo XC90</a>. It’s quite shallow&nbsp;and there aren’t many tethering points, but the 453-litre&nbsp;luggage capacity is still more than enough for a big weekly shop or a short family holiday.

The rear seats can be dropped using buttons in the boot to increase the load bay area if necessary, and the rear bench can slide forwards or backwards to increase passenger leg room or boot space. You can also recline the back seats for additional passenger comfort.

RX / RX L

As the name suggests, the F Sport aims to bring a touch of excitement to the RX. To make it more agile around corners, you get specific tuning for the steering system and suspension, as well as exterior styling with more aggressive-looking bumpers and bespoke 20-inch alloy wheels. It's too pricey to recommend, though.

F-Sport

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Takumi trim comes with almost every feature Lexus has to offer as standard. You get chrome 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension and adaptive LED headlights outside, and semi-aniline leather upholstery, front and rear heated seats with electrical adjustment and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson stereo inside. There’s also a 360-degree parking camera and a raft of safety assists such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance.

Takumi

takumi

The Lexus RX scores well for reliability and is quiet and comfy when you drive it gently. It isn't that spacious by class standards, though, and despite its hybrid engine, the fuel economy and CO2 emissions fail to impress.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Logical and beautifully built interior, with great infotainment</li> <li>More than enough space for five passengers or, even better, seven</li> <li>Strong performance along with impressive efficiency</li> <li>Composed handling that limits any feeling of unwieldiness</li></ul>

We class a luxury SUV as being anything where our pick of the range costs more than £45,000 – and at this price point, buyers' expectations are high. So, as well as all of the qualities that make regular SUVs such well-rounded choices –&nbsp;such as decent space for passengers and luggage, a classy interior and robust materials – we also want a cosseting ride, the latest driver assistance technology and enough space to really stretch out.

The Land Rover Discovery proves that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a luxurious SUV, but if you've got a bit more to spend, the Audi Q7 is perennially popular among buyers, and with good reason. Or, at the very top of this market, there are newer additions such as the BMW X7 to consider.

Luxury SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Low running costs compared with solely petrol or diesel equivalents</li> <li>Very low official CO2 emissions to benefit company car drivers</li> <li>The same usability as a regular car</li> <li>Smooth transition between electric and engine power</li> <li>Small practicality compromise over conventional models</li></ul>

Not so long ago, hybrids were the preserve of Hollywood stars, environmentally conscious 'early adopters' and the odd&nbsp;minicab driver looking to save a bit of money on fuel.

Since the collapse in demand for diesel, however, they have become&nbsp;much more popular, and it's easy to see why, with&nbsp;low tax bills and&nbsp;impressive MPG figures&nbsp;just a couple of the perks they offer.

There are two types of hybrid: 'self-charging'&nbsp;models, which mix petrol&nbsp;and electric power in an effort to maximise&nbsp;efficiency, and&nbsp;plug-in hybrids that can travel many miles purely on electricity before their engines need to cut in. This category is for the former type of cars.

Hybrid

Lexus RX review

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Review of Lexus RX interior by the expert What Car? team. Compare in car entertainment system, driving comfort and visibility with similar cars.

The Lexus RX feels luxurious from behind the wheel, with comfortable seats and a wide range of seat and steering wheel adjustments to make it relatively easy to find a good driving position.,The quality of the interior is pretty high, too. While some of the materials might not quite be up there with more popular high-end alternatives such as the Audi Q7, everything is very well finished, lending the RX a premium feel. The soft leather-trimmed door pulls and other appealing details go a long way to lift the ambience.,As for infotainment, you get Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring as standard, allowing you to display your phone’s apps on the screen. The media and sat-nav system’s interface, which uses a touchpad instead of a dial, is tricky to use, especially on the move. Thankfully, the screen itself is touch-sensitive so punching in a postcode is simple. 

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