Lexus RX 450h SE-L

Jan 30 2010 John Scantlebury

LEXUS has been into full hybrid technology for more than a decade now and the latest version of the RX sports utility vehicle is a vivid illustration of its expertise in this still mostly-neglected field.

The second-generation hybrid drive system, based on a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and two powerful electric motors, has been given a 10 per cent engine power boost and a 28 per cent reduction in the official combined-cycle fuel consumption.

The car also benefits from markedly-improved ride and handling characteristics, technical enhancements and design alterations, so there's lots to talk about.

Let's start with the all-important drive system, capable of operation in both petrol and electric modes alone or in a combination of both.

The driver gets a couple of visual aids to prompt economic motoring, and if you stay in the dial green zone it's a bit like driving a 1.4-litre car. Not much in the way of take-off but you do get a 1.4-like 45mpg, while pushing out saintly amounts of carbon dioxide.

But remember, the RX has that 246bhp V6 engine - add in the electric motors and you actually have 295bhp to play with - so it has more than a touch of the devil about it. Lose your green credentials and ram the car into the dial's power zone and the RX comes alive - even with that hesitant electric start it is possible for this 2,200kg vehicle to get from standstill to 62mph in just 7.8 seconds.

Yes, you want power? You've got it. But look at the fuel economy bars or the trip-computer figures and you'll see that the car's credited 45mpg average, which you were achieving when you were wearing your halo, has crashed.

Tellingly, the computer revealed that, over its 6,000-mile existence, this particular car was averaging 29mpg, while my own contribution, over mainly A roads and motorways, was 34mpg. So, unless you are prepared to be very restrained indeed, you won't be as eco-proud as you may have expected.

However, I must applaud those CO2 emissions, which are impressively lidded to 148g/km, just about what you would expect from a supermini.

The RX 450h is, of course, an executive-level 4x4, and in that it delivers what it promises, with enough gadgets and extras to satisfy even the most demanding chief exec.

It feels good, for a start, with a ride-quality that has been vastly improved by the introduction of the double wishbone rear suspension - back road or artery, the car impressively smoothed out every ridge and pothole while, at the same time, showing no inclination to lean or roll.

The car has grown in every direction since the previous version, including an extra 10mm to its height, but the greater wheelbase and tracking and a stability system ensure complete control.

Total control, too, in the grip and stability. You would expect that in a 4 x4, of course, but a load of snow followed by melt lakes showed the car at its very impressive best. It was also a chance to use the snow driving mode and to raise the air suspension to its highest level, and the RX powered along confidently while others, pardon the pun, came adrift (applause, too, while talking deep freeze, for the heated - and ventilated - electrically-adjustable front seats).

By now you are beginning to get some idea of the range of toys at your command, particularly in this SE-L trim. Just to mention a few, there's the computer-mouse-like Remote Touch control for the satnav, climate control, phone and the superb 15-speaker Mark Levinson entertainments system, a multi-information toggle on the steering wheel with all kinds of info presented in the dials binnacle, and a range of safety measures that include a pre-crash system as well as adaptive cruise control and Lexus' Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management.

There's quite a lot more and buttons and switches are everywhere, a few of them virtually out of sight. I struggled to find the fog lights, for instance, when the weather closed in. Thankfully, several functions can be carried out by voice control.

Comfort levels are what you would expect from all this cosseting, with full leather seats, but design and decor ideas are less convincing, notably the dash with its mod and rather curious flying-wing-style centre console which sits uneasily alongside the traditional wood inserts.

The sliding seats for those at back are good, however, allowing stretch-out room to be generated, although at this price I would have expect more exec-class facilities for those in this area, despite the documents and drink holder sections in the arm rest.

But more good marks for the boot, a substantial size and with an electronic hatch and electronic height adjuster to ease loading.

The RX 450h is full of bright ideas and is super-efficient in just about everything it attempts to do.

Like all SUVs, it is not exactly loveable, but it has a certain pleasant style and is certainly not as aggressively bullish as some 4x4s, nor as much as a handful. Whether the hybrid system can ever repay the considerable extra outlay is questionable but that may be the price for feeling good.

FAST FACTS

Lexus RX 450h SE-L

Price: £52,425

Mechanical: 246bhp, 3,311cc, 6cyl hybrid engine driving four-wheels via 6-speed automatic gearbox

Max speed: 124mph

0-62mph: 7.8 seconds

Combined mpg: 44.8

Insurance group: 17

CO2 emissions: 148g/km

BIK rating: 15%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles