First Drive: 2016 Lexus RX350

The RX has become quite an icon since its inception. It has become the IT car for families who require affordable luxury with decent ground clearance. So with the all-new 2016 model, Lexus has a lot to live up to. Let’s look at it in detail.

Exterior

It was about time the RX got a makeover – after 8 years to be precise. The refreshed 2013 model was basically a nip/tuck job with the famous spindle grille that has become the face of all Toyota/Lexus vehicles. This new RX looks bold and aggressive and I personally like it. It has edges everywhere – and that includes headlights/taillights as well. 

I tested the F-Sport trim – the most elite trim. The spindle grille forms major part of the front fascia and is accompanied by angular lines. The sporty DRLs compliment the edgy headlights and give a look that is not common with crossovers. Add to that a sunroof, 20” alloys and dual exhaust and you have a sporty crossover.

Interior

The interior of this F-Sport trim is red and black. The red being the sports seats and black trim everywhere else. The two-tone interior looks like something Merc would offer and that, to me, works very well. Also, there is a touch of aluminum as well which adds to the premium look of the car. 

The biggest highlight, however, is the 12.3 inch monitor (yes, it is not a touchscreen). The screen design is beautiful and the colors are crisp. However, the interface is, let’s be honest, isn’t that great and Lexus needs to work on that. I personally feel Lexus can do a better job by removing the joystick and replacing it with a wheel like other manufacturers. Because, the time it takes to move the pointer across the screen, I was better off using the steering controls. Also, it is not possible to concentrate on the road as well as the pointer at the same time. Sure, it is a massive upgrade from the touchpad, but still it can be improved.

Other than that, this trim is loaded with everything Lexus has to offer including all the safety systems which Lexus is famous for. I personally like the wireless charging pad. Also, the 360 degree camera – by far the best I have seen. I played with that cam whenever I was in traffic because it is so cool. 

Drive

The test car was a RX350 which means it has a 3.5 liter V6 naturally aspirated engine producing 295 BHP and 267 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifts. It is more than enough to cruise in the city and gives you instant push when you want to overtake. The RX gives you one of the smoothest rides available in the market (mostly because it performs like almost all the other Lexus models). The gearbox, the adaptive suspension, the throttle; they are so in sync that I almost fell asleep because of the level of comfort.

However, bear in mind; this is not a car for driving enthusiasts, so the figures are not that impressive. In the test run, the 0-100kph was achieved in 8 seconds and 100-0kph in 3.2 seconds. Switching it to sports mode will give the throttle some oomph and make the suspension a bit stiffer but that’s it. 

All in all, the RX does what a luxury crossover is meant to do – move from point A to B in comfort.

Verdict

The new RX is built on the same principles as the old one. The only difference is, it is now sportier looking.