We take the Lexus RX 500h up a mountain to find out!
We've been fortunate enough to be graced with the use of Lexus’ dynamic fifth-generation turbo hybrid RX 500h a few times, so we were at a bit of a loss as to what we should write about it this time. When a call came from a pal who had punctured his bicycle high up the side of a local tor. We only had our faithful Fiat 500 and this to rescue him. What the hell, there's a story in taking the Lexus!
Matoppi is the little hill where all the telecoms sit for our Valley and the road up took quite a hammering in the floods. So its rough. How would the Lexus manage the climb? And the fall. Well, quite well, actually. Look, it lacks ride height. But gently does it works just as well. Broke traction a few times. But the electric bit makes it all wheel drive and I cannot tell you it does not work when you really need it. Quite interesting to figure how the gas and electric share out the traction, too.
The biggest negative was that the reversing sensors do not stay off for longer then a few seconds, so it's beep-beep-beep, Switch off, drive a bit. And beep-beep beep all over again. Not a major in this car, but still. Its a SUV, no? The other gripe was no adjustment on the HDC, which only allowed one speed back down. Once again, no major. Yes, it is a bit of a fish out of water. But sure, you will be able to pluck your pal off the mountain if you really have to. We'd say its a pass. Standard grade, perhaps, but indeed still a pass!
Does Tony Soprano drive a RX 500h today?
Getting back to where it belongs on the New Jersey turnpike, the 500h is a refreshing take on typical sleek Lexus cues. Yet it fails to forget the RX range’s own, rich design heritage. It delivers the sort of svelte style that made us wonder that if Tony Soprano still happens to be alive and running the New Jersey mob, does he maybe now drive one of these? See RX 500h has more than enough presence. While still being indiscreet enough not to attract unwarranted attention…
Headlined by a next chapter Lexus spindle mesh grille and slim, sharp headlights, they integrate to a sinewy ‘killer whale’ profile. A 15 mm wider front track and 60 mm longer wheelbase and a shorter rear overhang emphasise its poise and a more planted look. A longer bonnet, A-pillars shifted back, flared wings and a floating roof conspire to a powerful sense of dynamic. Further heightened by a sculpted skin and dark 21-inch wheels.
Step into the cool, clean, and contemporary; open and spacious Lexus ‘Tazuna’ cabin. Typically Lexus ‘less is more’, it defies RX’s generous dimensions to literally shrink the car around the man or woman in control. The natural dialogue between car and driver is further emphasised by optimal visibility ergonomic pillars under a larger new panoramic roof. And a sexy new soft-touch steering wheel controls ahead of a handy head-up display.
Like Morrison sang, ‘keep your eyes on the road’
Lexus’ latest generation GA-K platform drops its centre of gravity by 15 mm. Weight is down thanks to the likes of aluminium front wings and a resin fuel cap. And it’s all stiffened up too. Never mind that new, more economical, more robust powertrain. A nimble, agile driving experience, it promises direct, intuitive control, to as Jim Morrison once crooned, ‘keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road’.
Dripping in ‘Takumi’ hand-crafted luxury, RX 500h packs unlimited standard kit to make a mockery of cars double the price. The list seems endless but we really enjoyed the heated and cooled seats – a boon on hot summer days, no doubt midwinter cool, too. Add three-zone air conditioning for the driver, front, and rear passengers, splendid 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio, wireless device charging, and lit entry among so much more.
Lexus latest, large 14-inch touchscreen multimedia thankfully retains most of its crucial physical buttons the vital functions. The doors can open electronically too. That said, while the driver need only gently nudge the lever to open the door, passengers must first manually unlock before e-opening their doors. Or just pull the lever to open the good old mechanical way. The doors do close with a solid thunk.
RX 500h packs four golf bags in the boot
A gluttonous 612 litre boot allows you to pack four 9.5-inch golf bags in with the rear seats in place. Or two 77-litre and two 63-litre suitcases. There’s practical extra space beneath the deck for smaller luggage and items you’d prefer hidden. And roof rails are available to carry roof boxes, cycle carriers and more.
The all-new RX also adopts Lexus’ advanced Safety System +3. Leveraging Lexus’ world-class safety technology, +3 now also benefits improved Pre-Crash and Safe Exit Assist. Linked to the electronic door release noted above, it prevents the doors from opening into the path of vehicles or cyclists approaching from the rear.
Getting down to the nuts and bolts, Lexus bills RX 500h as a petrol-electric performance breakthrough. It nudges Lexus’ hybrid focus from just efficiency to genuine performance too. This all-new maximum 273 kW 550 Nm parallel hybrid incorporates a 2.4-litre turbo petrol engine and six-speed automatic transmission. They sandwich the integrated front motor packing a clutch each side. All aided and abetted by a compact rear e-axle.
This Hybrid is not just about efficiency.
This allows RX 500h to seamlessly switch between modes or run for a limited distance on electric power only. It performs as well as a typical 3-litre gas V6, but with 20 percent improved fuel economy. With impressive throttle response and a direct, torqueful feel, Active Noise Control even negates that four-cylinder drone to deliver a more pleasant ‘Lexus’ sound.
Run by a power control unit and fuelled by both petrol and a low-resistance nickel-metal hydride battery, Lexus claims its raciest RX 500h will race to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. Yet consume just 6.5 litres of premium unleaded per 100 kilometres. Well, we have good and bad news on that. Our tests confirm it a bit quicker. But don’t expect better than 9 l/100 km every day. Still as good as the best of the German turbodiesel SUVs, by the way.
Delving into the drivetrain, Direct4 intelligent all-wheel drive features its own electric motor and inverter. It seamlessly balances output between the front and rear axles. Quicker and more precisely than a mechanical system, once again for better driver feel. Which also means improved handling stability and high speed driving dynamics along with enhanced ride comfort.
RX 500h adds performance to the hybrid game
RX 500h also has independently damped Adaptive Variable Suspension and a multi-link rear end with Dynamic Rear Steering. At low speeds, it turns the rear wheels up to four degrees in the same direction as the front to improve manoeuvrability. RWS turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction to induce stability at raised velocities. AHB-G electronic pressure on demand braking and six-piston front callipers bring more linear and direct deceleration.
We enjoyed five fabulous weeks in the company of our silver grey Lexus RX 500h with its sexy dark wheels. Everyone who came into contact with it, loved it too. To be honest, there’s not much to complain about as it does the job so well just as it is. It took a little time to become au-fait with some of the newer onboard systems. Like the electronic door locks. But they are fine once accustomed, even if not quite as logical as we’d like.
The logic of some of the other systems also troubled us. It needs another knob or button for the fan, for instance. And then we still wonder why Lexus or Toyota do not allow their hybrid systems to ‘sail’. In other words, to allow electric assistance to take advantage of all that momentum while maintaining cruising speed on the open road. We’re convinced that would make a huge difference to open road consumption.
But for the rest, we will cherish some great December ’23 memories with our Lexus RS 500h. Not just for the splendid places it took us, but more so how we got there and back. Do not ignore this car if you are looking for an epic mid-exec SUV. Or any of its siblings. – Michele Lupini
Data: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Lexus RX 500h F Sport Engine: 273 Kw 460 Nm hybrid petrol 2.4-litre I4 Drive: automatic AWD TESTED: 0-60 km/h: 3.02 sec 0-100 km/h: 6.06 sec 0-120 km/h: 8.18 sec 0-160 km/h: 13.95 sec 400m: 14.2 sec @ 161 km/h 80-120 km/h: 3.87 sec 120-160 km/h: 5.78 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 210 km/h Fuel: 6.2 l/100 km CO2: 148 g/km Range: 1000 km Warranty/Service: 7y 105K/7y 105K km LIST PRICE: R1.72M How does it shape up? Check Auto's Test Records now!
