The Lexus RX 450h blends cutting-edge emissions reducing hybrid technology with luxuriant quality. As one of the few luxury car manufacturers to offer hybrid vehicles in their range, and given my recent experience with alternate-fuel cars, I jumped at the chance to get behind the wheel of the seductively styled SUV and put it through its paces.
Dressed in rich ‘Sapphire’ blue and gleaning 19” wheels, the RX 450h is certainly not lacking in the looks department. The inside is no less glamorous than the exterior, with thick leather applied liberally throughout the spacious cabin. Open the door and the seat slides back and steering wheel lifts up automatically, providing ample space to board and disembark. Everything is electric, making adjustments a breeze, and you can save up to 4 position presets, meaning no more seat and wheel resets if someone else drives the car. Given my previous hybrid experience, I knew what to expect when depressing the ‘Start’ button this time, and with the ‘Ready’ setting dialled in, I engaged drive and headed off for the rolling countryside in Adelaide’s picturesque Barossa Valley.
The 3.5Ltr 6-cylinder petrol engine, combined with the electric motor, generates around 220kw of power, and is delivered to all 4 wheels effortlessly through a very clever electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Being an SUV, the extra travel in the suspension sorted out even the bumpiest city roads, and the steering felt nimble given the RX 450h’s size.
I found the interior a very comfortable place to be, with all displays easy to read and the switches and controls within easy reach. I took full advantage of the sunroof and excellent reversing camera, plus the Bluetooth phone system was easy to set-up and use via the Remote Touch in-car computer system. Operating the mouse-like pad whilst driving took a little getting used to, but after a bit of practice I was able call up navigation and maps, phone contacts and audio settings in a few clicks, and without having to take my eyes off the road. I would have liked to be able to play music off my iPhone wirelessly with the Bluetooth connection, but the CD player and pulsing speaker system obliged me of my music fix.
Sweeping through Williamstown and Lyndoch and making my way back through Gawler towards Adelaide, it was hard not to be impressed by the Japanese carmaker’s efforts at creating a near-perfect mix of emissions reducing technology, fuel economy and high-end motoring luxury. Doing away with the dreaded ‘options list’, Lexus offer 3 models with scaling feature sets in the RX range (Sports, Sports Luxury and Prestige), with prices starting from $105,000.
More News
