Lexus RX SUV - Interior & comfort
A lack of refinement at times is the only drawback to a beautifully appointed interior
As is the case with most luxury SUVs, the Lexus RX is most at home when cruising around town or on the motorway. While our test drive on beautifully paved US roads wasn’t exactly the greatest challenge for the RX’s suspension setup, the Lexus wafted along without much fuss and should be up to the task of traversing pothole-laden UK streets.
One major drawback is the RX’s eCVT gearbox; this sinks into the background whenever the car’s batteries are charged up, however when they are depleted the transmission holds onto revs for too long, creating an intrusive drone that makes its way into the cabin. A Volvo XC90 is a better choice for those wanting the most serene of driving experiences, but ease off the accelerator pedal – or drive in EV mode – and the RX is extremely refined.
The cabin is put together beautifully, with even the more mundane plastics still looking like they’ll last for several decades. One test car we sampled was fitted with attractive light wood trim inserts, and we’d expect the RX to be free from squeaks and rattles, such is its build quality.
Lexus RX SUV dashboard
Despite always being at the cutting edge of hybrid technology, Lexus has long lagged behind the competition when it comes to interior and infotainment tech. Thankfully, the new Lexus RX ditches the old car’s frustratingly fiddly touchpad infotainment system in favour of an expansive 14-inch touchscreen. This comes as standard on all models and is pre-loaded with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if you’d like to connect your smartphone. It’s easy to navigate and responsive, but the light colours for roads and the background can make it harder to read at a glance.
The new infotainment system is joined by a small digital instrument cluster as well as a set of digitised climate control dials – these are much easier to use than the touch-sensitive sliders often seen in new cars and can also control settings for the heated and ventilated seats.
Juxtaposing the rather eccentric exterior, the RX’s overall cabin design is incredibly minimalist. While some may say the interior lacks personality and flair, it’s hard to deny the RX’s superb quality. Everything you touch feels incredibly tactile and befitting of a car with a circa £60k price tag. As you’d expect, leather upholstery is a staple across the range, however, vegan-friendly upholstery is also offered.
