The stunning levels of luxury and world-beating technology, which are the hallmarks of the Lexus brand, are perfectly obvious in the RX 450h.
This smartly styled beauty meets all the requirements of luxury SUV buyers yet returns fuel economy as lows as 6.4l/100km.
That’s Lexus for you.
What You Get
Car Showroom first tested the RX 450h at its launch in Sydney. Overall, the RX model range (350 and 450h) was Australia’s number two best-selling luxury SUV in 2009 (behind only the BMW X5) with total sales of 2,607 vehicles for 13 per cent of the market segment.
Since its launch, Lexus has added to the RX450h’s family appeal by introducing a rear seat entertainment system featuring two slim-line eight-inch wide screen units (one behind each front seat) with infrared wireless headphones.
Although classed as a mid-size SUV, once the 450h entered our garage it became clear this vehicle is a ‘largish’ mid-size with more interior space than some segment rivals -- and of course the overwhelming Lexus luxury inclusions, stupendous quality and breathtaking technology.
Under The Hood
The RX 450h uses a similar hybrid drive configuration to Toyota’s locally built Camry Hybrid.
The 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine is an Atkinson Cycle delivering 183kW of power at 6,000rpm and peak torque of 317Nm at 4800rpm. Cylinders of Altkinson cycle engines have an expansion stroke longer than the compression stroke, which allows more of the engine’s energy to be harnessed into torque on the crankshaft.
RX 450h has three separate electric motors (MG1, MG2 and MGR) with MG1 used exclusively as a generator to charge the batteries.
MG2 provides up to 123kW/335Nm and drives the front wheels while MGR drives the rear wheels with up to 50kW/139Nm.
Combined, the RX 450h has 220kW on tap, making it the world’s most powerful hybrid luxury SUV – as underlined by its spirited on-road performance (zero to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds).
Combined with its 6.4l/100km fuel consumption, the RX 450h emits 150g/km of C02 – figures a small four-cylinder hatchback would be proud of.
The Interior
An abundance of leather and stylish colour combinations standout as you enter the RX 450h.
Once settled into the driver’s seat, it’s the computer mouse-like center console that catches your eye. This is the all-new Lexus Remote Touch (LRT) system which – like BMW’s i-Drive – controls the vehicle functions (audio, satellite navigation, air-conditioning etc) by moving the cursor displayed on the eight-inch multi-function screen which is recessed into the dash above the center cluster.
LRT is ergonomically shaped and becomes intuitive to use.
Remote operation of cruise control, radio, telephone and information display can also be done via steering wheel-mounted controls.
Blue-tint accents for the instrument lighting further highlight the Hybrid version of the RX.
Our range-topping Sports Luxury model also had a Head-Up display, low-right on the windscreen.
With electric adjustment both for the front seats and the beautiful woodgrain-trimmed steering wheel (rake and reach) the driving position was perfect. Rear seat installation of the Car Showroom juniors’ booster/child seats was easy thanks to wide-opening rear doors and the surprisingly spacious rear seat.
Although not massive, the cargo area is similar to other segment rivals and the RX 450h has a towing capacity up to 1500kg.
Exterior & Styling
The Car Showroom team loved the curves of the 450h – it’s certainly a looker and slippery too, with an aerodynamic drag CD of just 0.33, which is very impressive for a mid-size-large SUV.
Toyota-Lexus styling cues (blue-tint front grille and lights) promote the RX450h as a Hybrid (same as LS600h, Prius and Camry Hybrid).
RX450h also gains a unique front bumper and grille plus 15-spoke, 19-inch alloy wheels (Sports and Sports Luxury models).
And Sports Luxury models also feature six LED headlights – an ingenious projector system with i-AFS (Intelligent Adaptive Front Lighting System), which swivels the low-beam lights to better illuminate corners and parking space.
On The Road
Let’s start with reverse parking.
The Sports Luxury 450h we tested was fitted with two cameras – a normal reversing camera with guidance lines and a wide-view side camera mounted in the passengers’ side door mirror. By pressing a button on the steering wheel, this camera gives a view of the curbside action – making it a snack to parallel-park close to gutters and white parking space lines.
So around town, the RX450h was a breeze – very easy in the everyday city environment.
There are the usual Lexus driver aids including stability control with cooperative steering function (VSC+), Traction Control (TRC), and ABS anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Lexus Brake Assist. The Sports Luxury model we tested also came with Adaptive Cruise Control and the Pre-Collision System (PCS).
Compared to the previous RX 400h, the 450h has a new double-wishbone rear suspension with coil springs and dampers under the cargo floor- this lowered the rear floor by 30mm for easier loading. The front is a MacPherson strut design.
We liked the electric power steering system. Not only does this system reduce fuel consumption, its also provided excellent weighting and feel at all speeds.
At low speeds, using just the electric motor, the RX 450h responds like other hybrids – surprisingly swift and very quiet. The transition to petrol power is noticeable only by the extra noise of the engine.
Over our high-speed mountain roads loop, the RX 450h – typically Lexus – was miraculously refined and quiet, even when worked hard. Ride is noticeably softer than the firm/sporty European mid-size SUVs.
Lexus calls its constant four-wheel-drive system E-Four Active and it works well.
Our Sports Luxury model tipped the scales at 2205kg and you might expect a vehicle of this size struggling to deliver high standard driving dynamics with a CVT transmission, but not surprisingly, Lexus has the system well sorted and acceleration was instantaneous. The transmission has a sequential shift if required.
Challenges
Our only quibble with the RX450h (and it’s a minor one) is its weight. It’s a tad heavier than rival European diesel SUVs and this was noticeable over our mountain road route – it’s good but it could be sharper.
Verdict
A masterpiece that delivers everything luxury SUV buyers demand with planet-friendly technology that’s as good as it gets.
The Competition
Gets tricky to compare directly because of the RX450h’s hybrid technology.
BMW’s X5 and the Mercedes-Benz ML are great drives, offer luxo goodies and the latest diesels are super-economical.
Likes
Brilliant technology for the times, superb interior luxury
Dislikes
High-speed handling doesn’t quite match the Euros
