Close X
Monday, March 18, 2024
ADVT 
Reviews

2015 Lexus RX 450h - SPORTDESIGN

By Benjamin Yong, Darpan, 27 Jan, 2015 12:25 PM
  • 2015 Lexus RX 450h  - SPORTDESIGN

Luxury Hybrid crossover gets a facelift

It’s hard for Lexus to do any wrong with its luxury RX crossover — it is the company’s best selling vehicle in North America, after all. And for 2015, the mid-sized SUV gets another refresh in the SPORTDESIGN.

The variant I tested this time around was the 450h hybrid. Mixing gasoline and electric technologies is something the company knows a thing or two about, first introduced in the RX line up as the 400h during the first generation. Design-wise, the front fascia has been tweaked with the lower part of the “spindle” grill given a mesh, F-SPORT-like treatment. The HID headlights now have big dual round lamps inside the housing above the signature LED daytime running light strips.

At 1,885-millimetres wide, 4,770 long and 1,720 high, the size and form factor of the RX is perfect for people needing an upscale and practical everyday people hauler, without having to step up to a full-size SUV. Its basic shape hasn’t changed too dramatically since its creation in the late 90s when the segment wasn’t nearly as crowded — it seems every manufacturer and their uncle is coming out with a luxury CUV. There’s no doubt that the 450h looks great, except possibly when offered in the merlot-coloured Claret Mica that my press tester came in.

The hybrid is powered with Lexus’ Hybrid Drive, a combination powerplant consisting of a 3.5-litre V6 Atkinson gasoline engine and a high-torque electric motor and generator, paired with a continuously variable transmission and high capacity battery. If you fidget with the steering-wheel-mounted menu buttons long enough, you can find a way to toggle between Sport, Eco and Hybrid Snow driving modes. Even with net 295 horsepower, I found the Sport not sporty enough and the Eco mode causing the vehicle to be too sluggish, so I just left it on normal most of the time.

When your driving at your greenest, the instrument cluster glows blue to indicate that you’re on your way to achieving somewhere in the neighbourhood of the advertised 8.2 L/100 km combined city/highway fuel economy rating. I averaged 10.9 L/100 km in mixed driving, which, needless to say, is still fantastic for its class.

The interior of the SPORTDESIGN has perforated leather seating surfaces, real wood trim, and the ingenious Lexus Remote Touch, a small joystick that you can use to navigate the eight-inch LCD display. After you get past the slight learning curve, I find it is a much easier-to-use peripheral for selecting on-screen text than the knobs and dials found in many modern cabins. Other than what’s mentioned, nothing else stands out too much on the inside. Some might call the styling dated, others may think of it as simple elegance.

Smooth is how more than one passenger commented on the ride in the RX. Even with my spirited driving style, nary a coffee was spilled or head bounced. Performance might not be the vehicle’s strong suit, but it handled well for its size and everyone sitting inside was more than adequately comfortable during trips. And isn’t that all anyone can ask of a luxury hybrid crossover?

MORE Reviews ARTICLES

2015 TOYOTA TUNDRA

2015 TOYOTA  TUNDRA
This is a full sized truck – not something small made to look like a full-sized truck. The test Tundra was the double cab version with 4-wheel drive and the TRD (Toyota Racing Division) off road package.

2015 TOYOTA TUNDRA

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe
This new smaller Cadillac is aimed at the high-end sport sedan and coupe market and after having spent a good amount of time with the new model, I have to say they are spot on.

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe

2014 BMW 428i xDrive Convertible

2014 BMW 428i xDrive Convertible
Where the 428i really shines is in the handling department. In my time with the car, I really enjoyed tight or long sweeping corners. On straight stretches the car was perfectly stable even in the high winds I encountered. What made this possible were the 225/45R18 tires on a set of very nice looking alloy wheels.

2014 BMW 428i xDrive Convertible

2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
The face of VW’s popular sedan has changed a lot throughout the last few generations, but the interior is one place that has thankfully stayed true to its simple German beginnings.

2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV

2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Since this is a vehicle designed to go places, the ESVs interior is spacious and comfortable with pair bucket seats in front and the second row and a bench seat in the far rear section. This gives the Escalade a comfortable seating capacity of seven individuals. As to be expected in a people mover like this, an up to date entertainment system with 9in. screen (Blue-Ray DVD) is mounted in the rear.

2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV

2014 Porsche Performance Tour

2014 Porsche Performance Tour
Led by Porsche Canada driving instructors, Kees Nierop and Pierre Des Marais, the Porsche Performance Tour offered was the highlight auto event in and around Vancouver, BC

2014 Porsche Performance Tour

PrevNext