While Lexus does well in the US, the brand is not as big here, yet it would be a mistake to ignore the new petrol electric hybrid, says MICHAEL McALEER, Motoring Editor
ESPOUSING THE eco-benefits of a €60,000 SUV these days would seem as thankless a task as selling buy-to-let flats in Finglas. Throw in the added complication of having to explain the merits of petrol-electric hybrid powertrains to an audience mesmerised by diesel’s ability to bring down their motoring bills and you’d be a hard-hearted masochist not to feel a pang of pity for Lexus sales staff.
At first glance, the task of introducing the new RX450 hybrid seems pretty daunting. While Lexus and its sister brand Toyota have done incredibly well in the US market with hybrids and share 85 per cent of that market here, executives readily admit that there remains much to do.
A survey by the firm last year found that 39 per cent of respondents had still not seen or heard of hybrid technology in cars. Depending on your perspective that’s either a lucrative untapped market or a stubbornly apathetic audience.
Part of the problem is that while Toyota packs a hefty punch on the Irish market, Lexus remains in the shadow of its German rivals when it comes to premium sales. Before it can educate motorists about the benefits of hybrid, it must first get people to consider the brand. With just five models on offer – realistically four if you omit the forgettable SC430 – it pales in comparison to the voluminous ranges from BMW and Mercedes. And of these, only one offers a diesel derivative.
Yet all is not lost: Lexus benefits not only from a remarkably strong position in the US, where it has outshone local and European rivals, it also basks in the reflected reputation for reliability from its Toyota links.
Second, it must be quietly delighted with the news that the German premium brands are going to introduce their own hybrid derivatives soon. Not only does it signal a massive U-turn by some Teutonic executives who arrogantly dismissed the Japanese efforts to mix electric and petrol technology at the outset, but it will add significant clout to the hybrid message.
Then there is the new car itself: a moment’s consideration of the new RX suggests it could – and should – top the list for anyone considering a mid-range SUV. The SUV segment earned itself an unfortunate reputation in the boom and the backlash is evident in pitiful sales. But that’s likely to improve when the economy picks up and cleaner, greener entrants will help. It’s certainly something this Lexus can contribute to.
The basic principles of supporting a petrol engine with electric motors for urban or suburban driving may not have changed from the introduction of the Honda Insight or Toyota Prius a decade ago, but significant advances have been made in the overall package.
The offerings are also increasingly different, depending on the brand and model. For instance, whereas Toyota is driven by a desire to take hybrid mainstream, Lexus has sought to pepper its eco-offering with performance characteristics.
At the launch of the original RX hybrid in 2005, its engineers were quite vocal about the need to convince customers that opting for a hybrid not only improved your “green” hue, it also meant as much – if not more – fun. While it was a pretty big ask for a mid-range SUV, the message was delivered with the GS450h – a true performance premium car that left its non-hybrid rivals at the traffic lights. With it, Lexus has a car that squares the eco circle, albeit when compared to a large petrol-engine rival.
With the RX, the plan is to bring those credentials to a segment dominated by diesel rivals and a more family orientated mix. While it works well in the US, where diesel has still to make its mark, the RX faces stiff competition from established models here.
So what’s the new car like? Setting aside powertrains for a moment, the appearance is not drastically different from the outgoing model. The most striking feature is the soft car-like side profile, that lacks the chiselled square edges of rivals. Contrary to the sometimes frightening front grilles of rivals, the RX’s front nose tapers; it looks like the lower part of it has fallen off. The point of this is a very impressive aerodynamic figure that greatly assists fuel consumption. It might not have the same muscular presence as some rivals, but then that’s not exactly a drawback given the anti-SUV sentiment these days. Sales staff could probably claim this is a crossover rather than an SUV, and get away with it a few times.
Inside is typical Lexus: a decent mix of thick carpets, quality plastics and soft leathers. A new feature on the more expensive Sport model is a control system Lexus refers to as “remote touch”. It’s a hybrid of the iDrive and other computer mouse-like devices on German premium rivals, but this one bears more similarity to a joystick and offers a slight vibration as you hover over the on-screen buttons. Buttons at either side of the control let you choose the various options. It’s a very intuitive feature which is handy when you are on the move.
The ride is quite soft, certainly tuned for comfort. That said, the handling is a lot sharper than its predecessor. It’s not quite on a par with the likes of the BMW X5 or the Range Rover Sport, which for us are the benchmark versions. But it’s extremely competent on the road and impressive in terms of the delivery of performance. Kick down in overtaking and the roar of the petrol engine is accompanied by a decent push of extra electrical surge that can get you out of some tricky situations.
The story of the RX, however, is all about power efficiency. This second generation edition boasts a 10 per cent increase in power output. Two electric motors – one front and one back – pack enough torque to propel the RX along at mid-range speeds without bothering the 3.5-litre petrol engine.
Perhaps the most impressive feat is the smooth transition between electric and petrol power. In early hybrids there was momentary lapse as responsibility was transferred, but in this RX it’s incredibly hard to tell. There is a small digital diagram to show where the power is coming from, but studiously watching this is a sure-fire way to discover the car’s plentiful supply of airbags.
The biggest selling point for those hard-pressed car sales people will be the savings on offer. Even with a large amount of motorway driving – where you would expect the petrol engine to be doing most of the work – the RX offered us fuel consumption figures comparable to diesel rivals. An official figure of 6.3L/100km is significantly better than similarly powered rivals.
The key for potential Irish buyers is the car’s emissions level of just 148g/km. That means annual motor tax is just €302. You would have to opt for 2-litre diesel versions of any of its rivals to come close: the RX could offer savings of at least €302 and up to €1,798. Then add in potential savings at the filling station and remember it all comes in a smart premium package.
While we’re not won over by the styling of the RX, it does reap rewards with the fit and finish inside, decent performance, handling and fuel economy and significant savings which combine to make the RX the hottest mid-size SUV on the market.
Lexus RX hybrid Sport
Engine: petrol-electric hybrid combination, 3,456cc V6 petrol engine, 246bhp @ 6000rpm, with front electric motor offering max 174bhp and rear electric motor offering max 67bhp, official combined power output 295bhp, part-time four-wheel-drive with electronic CVT transmission
Specification: ABS, brake assist, hill-start assist, 10 airbags, 18" alloys, bi-xenon headlights, rain sensing wipers, nine-speaker radio/CD system. Sports version (€6,400 extra) includes: 19" alloys, electric tailgate, park assist sensors, 12-speaker audio system, 8" colour LCD screen and sat-nav, park assist monitor, wood inlay
L/100km (mpg): urban – 6.6 (42.8); extra-urban – 5.9 (47.2); combined – 6.3 (44.8)
CO2 emissions: 148g/km
Tax: VRT – 20 per cent; motor tax – €302
Price: €62,000 for Executive; €68,400 for Sport