2017 Lexus RX
The 2017 Lexus RX SUV really does stand out from the crowd. It’s certainly a lot more distinctive than the main stream German SUVs but is it any good?
Not only is this car extremely unique looking on the outside but it’s the same story on the inside too. The interior is what can only be expressed as ‘lovely’ and it’s this loveliness that helps make the car feel even more unique. The seats are covered in what can only be described as the softest leather known to man. Lexus certainly haven’t scrimped on practicality either. It’s without doubt a luxurious car but the bods have thought about cubby spaces and a plethora of other large storage spaces dotted around the place.
One of the best things about the RX is that you don’t really have to spend that much on added options. Granted the RX 458 Premier model is £58k, which although is a lot of money in anyone’s book, you really do get a lot of everything you need. You can expect features such as wireless charging for your mobile, heated and ventilated seats and heads up display as standard. You also get a really large infotainment screen as standard. However, the only problem with this is that it’s not the easiest thing to use. You have to control it using a sort of mouse pad gizmo which is not only hard to get the hang of but the menus and layout really isn’t all that intuitive.
Not only is the cabin a delightful place to be but it’s the same story at the back as well. First of all you’ve got absolutely loads of room to have a really good stretch out. There’s also a very clever gadget which allows you to recline the rear seats so you can just lay back, relax and enjoy the drive. The seats are so comfortable and yielding that your passengers won’t want to come out. Everything you touch has a certain quality to it which is almost unrivalled. The materials used throughout really do make you feel that they’re never going to break. The only thing that lets the back of the car down is the middle seat. While the car is great for two passengers in the back it’s not that good for three. If you find yourself having to sit in the middle, although you have a really nice foot-well area, you’ll find your head touching the roof which is a shame.
The problems continue with the boot. The first thing you’ll notice is that the automated tailgate takes an eternity to open. The other glaring thing is that the boot is actually quite small for this size of car. It’s quite a bit down on its rivals such as the BMW X5 and the Mercedes GLE. This is because you have all the hybrid things like the batteries and motor underneath the boot floor. Even if you go for the petrol version you still have exactly the same boot size. For some strange reason the guys at Lexus decided not to alter it which is extremely annoying. Another annoying thing is that should you want to remove the parcel shelf to make more room in the boot there’s nowhere you can actually put the blasted thing when you take it off!
So, what’s the RX like to drive? Well, if you’re the kind of person that likes their sport utility vehicles to feel a little bit sporty then you may be a little bit disappointed with the Lexus RX. However, for the average person that spends the majority of their time driving on congested city roads or on the motorway then they’re really going to appreciate this car. The suspension is nice and comfortable and the seats are absolutely glorious to place your derriere on those long journeys. The RX is also extremely quiet to travel in so you will always arrive at your destination feeling really relaxed.
If you’re genuinely interested in the RX then there’s something you need to know and that’s that you can’t get the LX with a diesel engine. There are two petrol choices with the first being the front wheel drive 2.0 litre turbo. You can actually opt for all-wheel drive if you have a spare £6k burning a hole in your pocket! The other option, which we think is the best bet, is the 450H which is a Hybrid. What you have here is a 3.0 V6 petrol engine mounted to an electric motor while in the back you have another electric motor that drives the rear wheels - so you effectively have all-wheel drive. One thing that does detract from it slightly is the gearbox as when you put your foot down it holds the engine’s revs at a constant rate so you get a bit of a droning sound. When you slowdown in town and go in electric mode then it’s nice and quiet.
We’ll admit that if you’re doing regular motorway miles at high speed then you will end up getting better fuel economy overall in a German diesel SUV. However, if you do quite a bit of in-town work then this car could be a really good option for you. According to Lexus this car should be able to do 51mpg which isn’t bad at all.
So, what do we think about the Lexus RX? Well, its boot is smaller than its main rivals and its infotainment system is really awkward to use. However, the RX really is a super luxurious car and the build quality reflects this throughout. It’s extremely conformable to travel in both as a driver and a passenger. Why not make up your own mind by searching for new and used cars with DesperateSeller.co.uk today!
