Lexus RX 450h Sport Premium

Although the first generation Lexus RX was introduced only four years ago, the novelty took care of both the design and the technical update. Regardless of model year, the h-badged RX remains a pioneer in hybrid technology as it once again has one petrol engine and two electric motors hidden under the body. That is why a hydroelectric plant is a suitable backdrop for the main photo of a beginner.

Don't look for a revolution outside. It remains a conservative SUV that differs from its predecessor mainly in new headlights and more dynamic performance. New are the headlights, the short beam of which is made using LED technology, and with the help of I-AFS technology, they rotate up to 15 degrees towards the inside of the corner, and some dynamics are also introduced by the taillights, which diverge far to the side. side of the car under transparent protection. And if you think that the tapering nose of the car lacks front spoilers due to the larger angle of entry off-road, we must disappoint you.

The Lexus RX doesn't like mud and rubble, but has a taller nose due to more efficient air sliding around body movements. Despite a 10mm increase in length, 40mm in width, 15mm in height and a 20mm increase in wheelbase, the Lexus SUV has a modest drag coefficient of just 0 compared to its predecessor.

Of course, fans of Lexus (and therefore Toyota more broadly) will be immediately struck by the claim that the Lexus RX 450h is one of the slowest 300bhp cars we've tested. According to the factory, the final speed of this hybrid car is only 200 km / h, and we measured 9 km / h more. It's the Renault Clia 1.6 GT lineup, or if you're a fan of Japanese cars, the Toyota Auris 1.8, which has more than half the power. But look at the acceleration data: from 0 to 100 km / h, it accelerates in just 7 seconds (8 with Sasha at the wheel).

The Volkswagen Touareg must have at least a 4-litre V2 engine under the hood to compete with those numbers, and the fact that the Lexus RX 8h averages around 450 liters of unleaded petrol shouldn't be overlooked, and the Touareg definitely more. than 10. More competitive in terms of torque and consumption will be a Porsche Cayenne with a three-liter diesel engine, but it will also delight you every day with more vibration, more noise and, above all, significantly higher CO15 emissions. The Porsche Cayenne Diesel emits 2g CO244 per kilometer, while the Lexus RX 2h emits only 450. Too little difference?

Perhaps if you don't have children (who would all like to keep the world as beautiful as possible) and if you don't pay the pollution tax (in the future, countries will increasingly tax luxury, wasteful and therefore more environmentally friendly cars). Experts say that every gram counts, which is why Lexus is one of the best anyway.

First, we need to clarify a few basic things so that we can even continue our discussion of environmental orientation. Without a hint of a bad conscience, we can see that Lexus (Toyota) is opening new horizons in advanced technology, but at the same time, we cannot say that their path is correct. Even their experts are very careful in predicting the correct combination of a gasoline combustion engine and an electric motor (actually electric motors).

Perhaps, they say, there are even more who argue that this is just an intermediate path to an all-electric car or one that will use only the most environmentally friendly hydrogen through fuel cells. And one more fact: we would do a lot more for our planet if we bought the Yaris 1.4 D-4D, as it is much more acceptable than the Lexus RX 450h throughout the entire cycle (i.e. from design to production and subsequent decommissioning) ... But if you want superior performance and enviable comfort (which the Yaris doesn't offer), you're closest to your Lexus offspring. There are only more wasteful competitors as even the upmarket turbo diesels are thirsty.

The Lexus RX 450h is equipped with a 3-liter V5 petrol engine, which is adapted to moderate fuel consumption. Engineers used the so-called Atkinson principle, where, due to the short part of the intake cycle, the engine takes a short and deep breath and slowly lowers it back into the exhaust system. There, part of the exhaust gas (cooled from 6 to 880 degrees Celsius!) Is redirected back to the engine, which reaches operating temperature faster and reduces the amount of exhaust gas. Compared to its predecessor, powertrain losses are also lower, which is why Lexus boasts a 150 percent increase in power over the old RX 400h while reducing fuel consumption by 10 percent.

We can see firsthand that there is really no shortage of power, although at higher speeds you need more jumps. Above 130 km / h, which is the speed limit on Slovenian motorways, the Lexus RX 450h is already annoying as the combination of a 2 ton car (empty car weight!) And a continuously variable transmission no longer works as sovereignly as if 2 sparks were expected ... This is why businessmen who travel frequently in Germany will drive slower SUVs, and you will be thrilled to jump at a lower speed as the gasoline engine and both electric motors roll up their sleeves.

The RX 450h automatically starts, shuts down and switches engines based on driving style or battery condition, so you have nothing to do with this hybrid car than a classic SUV. If you drive slowly through the city, you will be powered by electricity for at least a few kilometers, as in ideal conditions only one or two electric motors work. The Lexus RX 450h is powered by a 650-volt 123 kilowatt (167 "horsepower") electric motor that helps the gasoline engine power the front wheelset, while the rear pair gets 50 kilowatts or 68 "horsepower" from the second electric motor. best case scenario.

The battery (288V nickel-metal hydride battery) is just one battery in three "blocks" located under the rear seat. Electric motors can also act as generators, so they always charge the battery of pedestrians with regenerative braking. Difficult? Technically possible, but from a user's point of view, the Lexus is a real grandma's and grandpa's car, as it controls all the mentioned RX systems completely independently and independent of the driver. If there is enough energy in the battery and certain conditions are met, then only one electric motor works.

When you need more power or the ground under the wheels is slippery, another electric motor silently wakes up (and with it the all-wheel drive E-FOUR, the torque of which is divided between the front and rear wheels in a ratio of 100: from 0 to 50:50), and when completely Open throttle or at higher revs, the petrol engine comes to the rescue. The system works so smoothly and without vibration that with moderate music inside, you will not hear when it is running on gasoline and only on electricity. When the accelerator pedal is lowered or the brake is applied, the system automatically starts storing energy as it will re-store excess energy (which would otherwise be discharged as excess heat) in the battery.

That's why the Lexus RX 450h doesn't need outlets or additional electrical charging, as the system is constantly updated every time you drive. Driving with it is pure poetry: you fill up, drive, and drive as electric motors cut down on six-cylinder petrol consumption. Based on experience, you will say that you will use about 8 liters of unleaded gasoline per 100 kilometers in slow driving and only about 10 liters in normal driving - and the promised good six liters will be difficult to achieve. Most gratifying is that the RX 450h is the least wasteful in the city, which is exactly where the competition literally swallows. And if we think about spending most of our lives between intersections, that's a good trip for a hybrid.

If you look at the driving pleasure rating, you will notice that we need to evaluate the RX from two points of view: comfort and dynamics. Comfort at the highest level, especially with the electric drive. Then you can enjoy the quietness provided by quiet driving and superior soundproofing. Without a doubt, we are talking about the champion. Then you step on the gas a little and wonder why the CVT is so loud. Some say that this type of transmission (which is always in the correct gear!) Is the most ideal type of transmission, but we find it because of the noise (if you are riding a more modern city bus, then you know it sounds like a sliding clutch ) no, it must be perfect.

The hybrid RX also has sequential shifting capability as technicians determine six gears electronically. It is said to be better for more dynamic driving and for special road conditions such as a long downhill or a fully loaded car. Unfortunately, none of this is true: the pleasure is nothing more than an automatic transmission, and for downhill travel, second gear is too long (and first too short) to be really useful. A similar story with the chassis. Compared to its predecessor, the new 450h has a revised front axle (new shock absorbers, new suspension geometry, stronger stabilizer) and a different rear axle (now boasting a multi-link suspension).

Combined with electric power steering (low fuel consumption, though we have to commend the modest turning radius), economy tires (which deliver less fuel than sticky cornering), and a chassis that's too soft, you'll soon stop creaking through corners. because it doesn't make sense and isn't fun. Three hundred horses in a Lexus is more to quickly overtake the mints, and then calm down again after the restrictions on the way to the goal. However, this is not the wrong strategy these days when there are a lot of speed limit checks, what do you say?

Therefore, we prefer to focus on comfort. When you approach the car, the electronics recognize the owner and allow him to enter the car in full light, simply by touching the doorknob and the key in his pocket. Even starting the car when the seat and steering wheel are close to the ideal target distance again can only be done with a button. In fact, the so-called smart key system is very similar to Renault's system, only the French are one step better. In the case of Lexus, you need to press on the marked spot on the hook to lock it again, with Renault you just walk away and the system will take care of the car to lock on the audible signal.

Inside the Lexus, you can think of the state-of-the-art Mark Levinson Premium Surround system, which lets you listen to music preloaded on the hard drive (hard drive with 15GB of memory) through 10 speakers. The only black dot goes to the radio, which soon gets a white flag in case of poor reception and begins to squeak uncomfortably, which is no longer the case even in the cheapest cars. At least not in such an inconvenient way. Even worse with audible warnings: if the driver is distracted and not working properly, the car will warn him about it. It can be a pleasant sound or an unpleasant sound that spoils the mood when you make an unintentional mistake.

RX 450h causes discomfort and inadvertently raises blood pressure. ... Although theoretically not to blame. However, we were impressed by the 8-inch color LCD screen, which allows us to clearly see what is happening with the navigation, car (settings and maintenance), ventilation and radio. However, the fact that the screen is not clogged with fingerprints and there are not many buttons on the dashboard can be attributed to the new interface that works like a computer mouse. When you place the cursor on the desired icon, confirm it with the left or right button, which have the same function (which is why it is also suitable for the co-driver when it usually works with the left).

At first, the system will seem a little strange to you, but then you will get used to it, as it is easy to use, and thanks to the additional menu and Navi buttons, you can easily get to the main page (if you are lost in the system) or navigation if you, for example, change radio station. You will operate the radio and phone (bluetooth) with the buttons on the steering wheel, and you will operate the cruise control with the lever on the steering wheel. Of course, we highly recommend two more aids: the projection screen (better known as the Head-Up Display) and the camera.

The windshield will show you your current speed and navigation data that won't get in your way, while two cameras help you with reversing and side parking. The Lexus RX 450h has cameras hidden in chrome above the rear license plate and at the bottom of the right rearview mirror. Surprise: the system works great even at night (great lighting!), So you don't have to rely only on parking sensors in the afternoon. If we say that the front seats are very comfortable (dry ones require more side bolsters, but we assume they will annoy Americans), then it is the same in the back seat.

There is also enough space for adults, and the trunk can also be increased using a longitudinally movable back bench in a ratio of 40: 20: 40. Switching the backrest is possible with only one hand (and one button), but the trunk is not quite flat. Luggage in the house is handled very well, maybe even too noble, as the covers soon begin to break off, even if you just carried travel bags in them.

A more comfortable vehicle will be difficult to buy, and it will be even more difficult to look for a three-engine car from competitors. With the hybrid system, some components are also warranted for 5 years (or 100 thousand kilometers), otherwise they are serviced as part of regular services for 15 thousand kilometers. It's hard to say how durable they are, but the RX 450h will easily be accepted by super testers. By the quality of workmanship, we can say that there will be no problems, since only the rubber on the foot pedal of the parking brake fell out of the bed twice, everything else worked at a height. Whether we need (already) hybrid technology, whether it has been tested enough after four years and whether it is worth paying extra for it, judge for yourself.

Alyosha Mrak

photo: Алеш Павлетич

Lexus RX 450h Sport Premium

Basic data

Sales:	Toyota Adria Ltd.
Base model price:	82.800 €
Test model cost:	83.900 €
Power:	220kW (299 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	8,2 with
Maximum speed:	209 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	10,6l / 100km
Guarantee:	General warranty 5 years or 100.000 5 km, 100.000 years or 3 3 km warranty for hybrid components, 12 years mobile warranty, XNUMX years warranty for paint, XNUMX years warranty against rust.
Systematic review	15000 km

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Regular services, works, materials:	2.200 €
Fuel:	12.105 €
Tires (1)	3.210 €
Loss of value (within 5 years):	24.390 €
Compulsory insurance:	5.025 €
CASCO INSURANCE (+ B, K), AO, AO +	11.273 (
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Buy up	€ 57.503 0,58 (km cost: XNUMX €)

Technical information

engine:	6-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - front mounted transverse - bore and stroke 94,0 × 83,0 mm - displacement 3.456 cm3 - compression 12,5:1 - maximum power 183 kW (249 hp) .) at 6.000 rpm - average piston speed at maximum power 16,6 m / s - specific power 53,0 kW / l (72,0 hp / l) - maximum torque 317 Nm at 4.800 rpm min - 2 camshafts in the head (chain) - 4 valves per cylinder. Electric motor on the front axle: permanent magnet synchronous motor - rated voltage 650 V - maximum power 123 kW (167 hp) at 4.500 rpm - maximum torque 335 Nm at 0–1.500 rpm. Rear axle motor: permanent magnet synchronous motor - rated voltage 288 V - maximum power 50 kW (68 hp) at 4.610-5.120 rpm - maximum torque 139 Nm at 0-610 rpm. Alumulator: Nickel-metal hydride batteries - nominal voltage 288 V - capacity 6,5 Ah.
Energy transfer:	the engines drive all four wheels - electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (E-CVT) with planetary gear - 8J × 19 wheels - 235/55 R 19 V tires, rolling circumference 2,24 m.
Capacity:	top speed 200 km/h - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 7,8 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 6,3 / 6,0 / 6,6 l / 100 km, CO2 emissions 148 g / km.
Transportation and suspension:	Off-road van - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front auxiliary frame, individual suspensions, spring struts, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear auxiliary frame, individual suspensions, multi-link axle, leaf springs, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling) , rear disc, mechanical parking brake on the rear wheels (leftmost pedal) - rack and pinion steering wheel, electric power steering, 2,75 revolutions between extreme points.
Mass:	empty vehicle 2.205 kg - permissible total weight 2.700 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake 2.000 kg, without brake 750 kg - permissible roof load 100 kg.
External dimensions:	vehicle width 1.885 mm, front track 1.630 mm, rear track 1.620 mm, ground clearance 11,4 m.
Inner dimensions:	front width 1.560 mm, rear 1.530 - front seat length 520 mm, rear seat 500 - steering wheel diameter 380 mm - fuel tank 65 l.
Box:	Trunk volume measured with AM standard set of 5 Samsonite suitcases (total 278,5 L): 5 places: 1 × backpack (20 L); 1 × aviation suitcase (36 l); 1 suitcase (85,5 l), 2 suitcases (68,5 l)

Our measurements

T = 27 ° C / p = 1.040 mbar / rel. vl. = 33% / Tires: Dunlop SP Sport MAXX 235/55 / ​​R 19 V / Mileage condition: 7.917 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	8,2s
402m from the city:	16,0 years ( 147 km / h)
Maximum speed:	209km / h (D)
Minimum consumption:	8,4l / 100km
Maximum consumption:	12,2l / 100km
test consumption:	10,6 l / 100km
Braking distance at 130 km / h:	73,1m
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	42,5m
AM table:	40m
Test errors:	unmistakable

Overall rating (342/420)

• A beautiful and well-made car that is very comfortable to drive. In short: despite the three engines, there is no unnecessary work with it. This is especially impressive in city driving with only the electric motor (or both electric motors) running, but there is a slightly bitter aftertaste regarding the performance at higher speeds and the maintenance of the old car. But this requires at least a super test, right?

• Exterior (13/15)

  Much more conspicuous than its predecessor (front end overall), but still average gray.

• Interior (109/140)

  While it has a battery under the rear seats, the interior is just as spacious as its competitors. Excellent city driving comfort!

• Engine, transmission (52
  
  
  / 40)

  The drivetrain gets loud at high speeds, consider air suspension for more comfort.

• Driving performance (57
  
  
  / 95)

  In terms of driving performance, the engineers still have work to do. The Cayenne, XC90, ML prove that dynamism is not achieved at the expense of comfort ...

• Performance (29/35)

  Acceleration and maneuverability like a powerful turbodiesel, but a modest final speed for such power.

• Security (40/45)

  He has as many as 10 airbags, ESP and a head-up screen, active headlights, but no blind spot warning, active cruise control ...

• Economy

  Impressive fuel consumption (which is closer to turbodiesels than V8 engines), average warranty and relatively high price.

We praise and reproach

more dynamic exterior

fuel consumption (for large gasoline engine)

Ease of Management

smart key

comfort and refinement at low speeds

workmanship

longitudinally movable back bench

head-up display

a box in the center console

volume (gearbox) at higher speed

low end speed

price (also for RX 350)

position on the road for more dynamic driving

annoying whistle to a distracted driver

poor radio reception

delicate cover in the trunk