Lexus RX

The chiselled crossover from Lexus promises excitement in a form that SUV-loving India appreciates. A quick drive tells us where this hybrid hottie fits in.

Lexus' RX 450h is quite an intriguing package. Is aggressive and sporty styling draped over an apt-for-India SUV-like form sitting on cutting-edge hybrid tech justification enough? The Rs 1.07 crore price tag might cause some to balk. But, just how sporty, luxurious and cool is this Lexus? Sizing it up Let’s set it out straight and simple. The RX 450h is a two-row, five-seat SUV. The RX doesn’t fit neatly into any one category, but its size, attitude and price in the Indian market pegs it close to the BMW X6, Jaguar F-Pace and Porsche Cayenne. Its 4890mm length and 1685mm height is considerable, but the raked-out rear windscreen masks the size quite well. Would you believe it is larger than the Jaguar F-Pace on those fronts? For your reference, the RX is about as long as BMW’s X6 but it is narrower. It is considerably smaller than an Audi Q7 or Volvo XC90. However, the XC90 is the only other SUV to offer a hybrid powertrain, that too a plug-in hybrid. Origami in metal One thing is for sure: the Lexus is a very distinctive looking machine. The product presentation said something about strength and sharpness -and with...read more »