Lexus RX 350h India Review: Most Luxurious Hybrid SUV

Lexus stands different amongst its German peers and thats ultimately it’s trump card as well. While being around for a few years in India, Lexus seems to have carved itself a niche with its hybrid powertrains being the highlight. It makes strong hybrid cars which are not available elsewhere and that means silence/efficiency along with ease of use.

The bigger RX is their flagship hybrid SUV and we took it for a spin to find out more about this GLE competitor. It looks different and sleek for sure with a different design theme from the burly German luxury SUVs. The new RX is smaller but is rakish along with sharp lines which gets a lot of attention.

The new RX is also much more interesting in design with the large spindle grille, sharp headlamps along with a protruding front section which dominates your gaze.

The rear too is sloping and has a sportier look with the massive 21inch wheels along with connected taillamps. In other words, Lexus has done well to make the RX stand out amongst the crowd.

Inside, it is restrained and has a more conservative look but with top class materials. Everything you see/touch is all high quality with excellent attention to detail including the lovely temprature controls with screens inbuilt. Lexus has moved on from the trackpad and that is good news with a larger 14-inch touchscreen having many functions inbuilt. It is slick and the huge size makes it look like a HD TV. There is loads of leather/wood/metal used on the inside and even the door handles are different with being somewhat complicated with the E-Latch system which requires you to press a button to open the door.

The heads-up display meanwhile is huge along with having loads of information and the Mark Levinson audio system is also fantastic. Elsewhere, you get all the usual luxury features that you expect including a large glass roof, heated/cooled seats plus a 3-zone climate control system. Space inside is also huge and the rear seats in particular are comfy along with being wide enough. It’s also easier to get in and out when compared to rivals.

The driving position is relaxed but offers the typical SUV like view while the steering control are touch/pressure sensitive too.

The RX has some ADAS tech but we will move to the driving experience which shows again why it is different. This is a hybrid and that means you get a 2.5l petrol engine and a pair of electric motors which produces a combined 250bhp. It is smooth, silent and cruises along nicely in the city. At low speeds you are mostly driving it like an EV plus despite large wheels, the ride is absorbing. It is meant to be a calm luxury car and is not about relentless acceleration.

It will do the big speeds but it a gentle cruiser and best at that. There is an eCVT gearbox which is suited to gentle throttle inputs while pushing it hard makes the engine a bit audible.

The plus point of a hybrid is of course the efficiency and you’ll struggle to empty it’s fuel tank with efficiency figures hovering around teens- something even hatchbacks don’t offer.

The RX starts from Rs 95.8 lakh and revels in its different approach to being a luxury SUV. It looks sporty, sleek and focusses on comfort, ease of use plus being kinder to the environment as well.