If you're looking for a large family SUV that focuses on comfort, refinement and ease of use, you can't go far wrong with a Lexus RX.
The biggest change over the previous model is the radical origami styling, which really makes the RX stand out next to rivals like the BMW X5 and Audi Q7. The interior is excellent too, with high-quality materials and loads of equipment.
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The RX is also efficient on paper, with low CO2 ratings making it a stand-out company car choice. The electric motor in the 450h model means it's good in commuter traffic but it’s unlikely that real-world fuel economy will come close to the combined cycle figure.
Also on the downside, it won't beat sportier rivals when it comes to handling and the RX's lack of character on the road will put enthusiasts off.
The current Lexus RX is noticeably larger than the previous model, being 120mm longer, 10mm wider and 5mm lower than before. That means it has a lot more presence on the road. Of course, you could also attribute that to the more distinctive looks.
With the same bold grille design as the new IS, NX and RC coupe, large L-shaped LED headlights, arrowhead fog lights and a creased bonnet, the RX looks imposing at the front. In profile the 'origami' styling, with plenty of slashes and chunky shapes, sets the RX apart from some of its rivals. At the back there are blacked-out C-pillars for a floating roof effect and LED taillights that wrap around a long way into the side of the car.
There are four new styles of alloy wheel to choose from, in 18- or 20-inch sizes, plus a range of aerodynamic upgrades compared to the old model. The interior has been completely revamped too, with loads of standard equipment and some lavish extras as you move up the trim levels (S, SE, Luxury, F Sport and Premier).
The larger exterior dimensions mean there's more headroom for those in the front and more legroom for rear-seat passengers, too.
The interior feels well built and there are lots of high quality materials around the dashboard. Whether you'll like the analogue clock and wood finish is a matter of taste, but the seats are comfortable and all the instruments are high quality.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
Depending on the model you choose, you'll find a 12.3-inch screen (it's 8-inches on lower-spec models) that displays the car's infotainment system menus, music and sat-nav route. The system itself takes some getting used to, and the sat-nav instructions could be clearer, but the large screen looks slick.
There's also a large head-up display in front of the driver, which Lexus claims is the world's largest. This can display speed, directions, cruise control status, speed limits and even pre-crash safety warnings.
On certain trim levels there's also a wireless phone charger in the centre console - this lets those with a compatible mobile keep it topped up without having to plug in a cable. If you do want to connect up to the infotainment system then there are USB and aux ports there too - and of course you can sync up with Bluetooth.
There are three sound systems available, two Pioneer systems (one nine-speaker, the other 12) and one Mark Levinson 15-speaker system.
The Lexus RX has been given a sporty new look, but don't expect it to match a Porsche Cayenne or BMW X5 when it comes to handling and performance. Lexus has updated the suspension and steering to make the RX better to drive, but there's no getting away from the big SUV's body roll in corners and lifeless steering.
The 450h model has 308bhp and goes from 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds, but thanks to the poor throttle response and CVT gearbox, it never quite feels that fast - at least compared to the torquey diesels in rival cars.
The gearbox you get depends on the engine you choose - go for the smaller 200t petrol for a 6-speed automatic, or the hybrid 450h for a CVT (continuously variable transmission). This 'box doesn't have gears as such, but is constantly changing ratios to keep the engine moving optimally.
All cars get a drive select system, which lets you set up the suspension, throttle response, power output and fuel economy via one of three modes: Normal, Eco and Sport. The F Sport and Premier trim levels also get Sport S and Sport S+ modes. These modes stiffen the suspension, improve engine responsiveness and add weight to the steering - but you'd have to really be paying attention to notice these small changes. The engine does get louder in Sport modes, though. There's also an EV mode on the hybrid 450h, which lets you run on the electric motor only until the charge is depleted.
Engines
There are two engines available in the UK for the Lexus RX: a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a 3.5-litre V6 (mated to an electric motor). There aren't any diesels available in the range, but the smaller petrol model does undercut its main diesel rival, the BMW X5, on purchase price by a significant amount.
The big V6 hybrid is powerful enough, and overtaking is possible, but you do need to plan ahead slightly more than normal while you wait for the power to be delivered. At low speed the hybrid powertrain works well, however, as it uses the electric motor for silent progress in traffic.
The third-generation Lexus RX came in 16th overall in the 2015 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, with an 11th place finish in the reliability category. It's a strong sign for the RX when it comes to reliability - especially as the newer NX model managed an impressive 6th place overall in the same survey.
Lexus topped our manufacturer survey, and readers told us the brand's dealers are the best, too - so we expect the new RX to be a very good car to own.
The RX is packed with safety equipment, with adaptive cruise control, 10 airbags, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, sign recognition, a tiredness alert and a 360-degree parking camera system.
It also features a pre-crash safety system - this uses a front-mounted camera and a radar to detect pedestrians and other vehicles. If the computer calculates that a collision is about to happen then extra braking force is applied when you press the brakes. It can also automatically brake if the driver is too slow.
The latest Lexus RX is the largest yet, which is good news for the car's practicality - but makes it a little more difficult to drive in the city. Both gearboxes available are automatic, which will help in heavy commuter traffic, but there's no getting away from the fact that this is a large SUV.
There are five seats in the RX, and the rear seats fold down in a 60:40 split using levers to the side of each seat.
A new centre console in the RX adds some extra storage to the cabin, including a smart new type of upholder that adjusts to the size of the cup you place inside it.
There are a few different types of leather seat available, with higher-spec models getting perforated martial to allow for ventilation on a hot day. Heated seats are available too, with a memory function to allow multiple drivers to get comfortable more quickly.
With the more powerful 450h model, towing capacity is 2,000kg for braked trailers or 750kg for unbraked trailers.
Size
At 4,890mm long, 1,895mm wide (without mirrors) and 1,690mm tall the Lexus RX is a rather large car, and it feels it on city streets. You do sit high up, and the RX is a tall car in the first place - so you get a good view down on everything else around you. The large A-pillars can cause a problem when pulling out at junctions, but you'll find the same problem on any other car like this.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
The rear seats in the Lexus RX have been worked over by the brand to mimic those of a limousine - there's more legroom than before, and the seat backs recline more too. Since there's no bulky transmission tunnel in the floor, the middle seat is useable for more than just short trips.
For taller passengers the high floor could cause some discomfort in the back, but the seats themselves are comfortable are reclined using a button on the side of the cushion. The back seats aren't as spacious as the ones in the Range Rover Sport, however.
Boot
The Lexus RX is designed to accommodate batteries for the 450h's hybrid system, which means it loses out on boot space compared to rivals wether you get the hybrid powertrain or not. Space inside with the rear seats up is 453 litres and with the seats down the available space increases to 924 litres. This will be enough for most buyers but the seats don't fold down completely flat.
The rear seats split 60:40 electronically using a button in the boot or in the cabin. It's a useful effort-saving tool but not a time-saving one as they take an age to drop down. There's no loading lip, so sliding objects in is easy enough, but the opening is high up, which could cause a problem with heavy items.
The RX also features a powered tailgate on certain models - you just put your hand (or elbow) up to the Lexus logo and if you've got your key on you the hatch will open up. Press the button on the inside to close it again.
The entry-level Lexus RX 200t features a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine which is on the small side for the luxury SUV class. The RX is a large, heavy vehicle so fuel economy suffers somewhat. For the front-wheel drive models this engine manages 36.2mpg, but go for a four-wheel drive model, or spec 20-inch wheels over the standard 18-inch ones, and that drops to 34.9mpg.
CO2 emissions of 181g/km and a benefit-in-kind company car tax rate of 31 per cent mean the 200t model, despite being cheaper to buy than the 450h, is actually the more expensive engine to tax. On 20-inch wheels the emissions rise to 189g/km, too, and if you move above the base S trim then BIK tax goes up to 35 per cent.
The Lexus RX 450h is rather more expensive to buy, but also more economical, more powerful, better equipped as standard and has a lower company car tax rate. With the smaller wheels it manages an impressive 54.3mpg on the combined cycle, which is 9.5mpg up on the previous RX. Go for the larger wheels and the figure drops to 51.4mpg.
Emissions of 120g/km (127g/km with 20-inch wheels) mean the 450h is cheap to tax, but more impressive is the 19% (or 20% for higher trims) company car tax rate. There's plenty of standard kit too, so you won't feel like you're missing out on optional extras.
Depreciation
The previous Lexus RX had good residual values, which bodes well for this new model. The purchase price is very high for the hybrid 450h models, but the 200t does undercut some of its key rivals on price. The low economy figures will likely put a dent in the used values of this model, though.
With its modern-looking design and huge equipment list it's likely that the Lexus RX will hold on to its value better than rivals like the Land Rover Discovery or BMW X5.