Lexus has become synonymous with quality, reliability and
luxury. In terms of cost of ownership it has proven that a luxury car no longer
require expensive maintenance. In recent
years it has also taken an aggressive design style and focused on the SUV line
up.
I had the chance to drive the hybrid version of the
midsize 450RX-H. A car that you don't realize how big it is until you are next
to it. The front grille is large, but it
goes well with the slanted hood line. The paint quality and colors are noticeable
of high quality. The roof line gives it movement, and it definitely gives you
the impression of a powerful machine. All good things that makes you wonder
about the inside.
The RX , like most Lexus, has a lot of interior details
that they may not jump at you in terms of Wow, but you will notice them as you
spend time with the car. I like the two tone combinations and I suggest you stay with the five seat
version. The seven seat model is a bit tight in the rear and I doubt you
will give the extra seats much use. From
the driver seat you have good visibility and the RX comes well equipped with
the latest in car technology. The base model
has an 8-inch touch screen,
Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, a Wi-Fi hot spot, six USB ports,
Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a nine-speaker stereo. The
upscale version has a bigger screen (12.3 inch), remote touch, two more USB
ports and 15 audio speakers.
A few years ago the
remote touch interface , in which you use your finger like a computer mouse on
a pad in the center console, seemed like a good idea. But it ended up frustrating
yours truly and many customers alike. A new system will be introduced with the
all new RX replacement. And this is
about the only questionable thing on the RX.
On the road the RX 450
is smooth and quiet. I averaged 30 mpg in urban Los Angeles. Taking in consideration the size of the
vehicle it is pretty good. Having a CVT transmission (which is a single gear)
delivers an effortless drive. The suspension favors' comfort and the AWD system
gives you confidence over all types of surfaces.
The latest 450 RX has interesting
options that include a panoramic roof, proximity keyless entry, Mark Levinson
audio system, Google assistant, and voice control for all actions of the phone,
navigation and apps.
The safety and driver
assist features are also many. And with pedestrian and bicyclist detection plus
pre-collision braking this vehicle is one of the safest around. It is hard not to recommend a Lexus. Other
than the styling, this SUV remains as one of the top choices in the category.