Movement and stillness are not incompatible, power and beauty can coexist, and performance and environmental protection can go hand in hand. Lexus has always adhered to this fusion approach. Engineers broke and reorganized seemingly contradictory elements to create fresh elements. It is this fusion that makes Lexus unique in people's minds.
The design concept of the first generation of Lexus RX is to combine the driving performance of a luxury car, the appearance characteristics of an SUV and a certain passing ability. So Lexus engineers made a bold attempt. They combined the car chassis platform with the body of an off-road vehicle. The control experience it brings to the driver is more like a car. The Lexus RX series inherits the characteristics of a car. It has the advantages of comfort, economy and practicality. It also has the powerful appearance of an off-road vehicle, high ground clearance and four-wheel drive capability, giving it better passing ability than a car.
Since its debut in 1998, it is now the fourth generation model of RX. RX is a very popular model in the Lexus family. Since its launch in 1998, the cumulative sales of the RX model have exceeded 2 million units. This number accounts for 30% of the sales of the entire Lexus series. Therefore, the importance of the RX model is self-evident. In the Chinese market, luxury brand SUV models have always been very popular. The total domestic sales of the RX model in 2018 exceeded 33,000 units, surpassing the Audi Q7 and Infiniti QX70, which shows its status. Now, the mid-term facelift of the fourth-generation RX model is here. The new car will be launched on September 5 with a price range of 399,000-805,000 yuan. The most important thing about this facelift is the addition of an extended version of the RX 450h L model, with six and seven-seat layouts available. What are the highlights of the new car's performance? Answer for you immediately.
In terms of body size, the RX L is obviously longer than the old RX. The length of the car has increased by 110mm, reaching 5000mm; in addition, the height of the car has also increased by 15mm, to 1720mm. However, the wheelbase remains unchanged at 2790mm. Overall, the size of the new RX can satisfy buyers who have higher requirements for size and space than the old model. It is not difficult to find from the above table that compared with BMW X5, except for the car length, the RX L has no advantage in terms of data. However, based on the actual use experience, the interior space of Lexus RX L is much larger than that of the BMW X5, and there are six more Seat layouts of three-seat and seven-seat are optional, which has certain advantages compared with similar models.
As a mid-to-large SUV of a luxury brand, luxurious interiors are indispensable. Creating a sense of high-end has always been Lexus’s strength. This retained advantage has naturally been continued in the new RX model. The center console of the new car has a three-dimensional feel and is no different in shape from the older model, which can meet the aesthetic taste of most consumers.
In terms of materials, craftsmanship and detail processing, Lexus’ quality has always been unquestionable. From the center console to the door panels, almost everything within reach is wrapped in soft materials or leather. The center console uses double-layer stitching technology on a large area, and is decorated with different colors and matte silver imitation metal trim strips, which looks very classy. In addition, the new RX is more sophisticated than ever in the selection of interior trim panels. Lexus commonly offers four types of veneers to choose from, namely: walnut, bamboo, premium wood grain and agate black laser stripe wood veneers, all of which have excellent texture.
As a luxury medium and large SUV, we have already experienced its luxury, and the interior space is also a very important part. The new RX 450hL is available in 6-seat and 7-seat models, aiming to meet the needs of different consumers. I The test drive this time is a 7-seater model. The interior space of the 6- and 7-seater models is the same. Please see below for the specific space and storage performance.
The measured space and storage performance of the RX 450hL are good, which fully proves Lexus' thoughtfulness and humanity. I think the only shortcoming of the space is the practicality of the third row of seats. Due to the SUV model, the height of the third row of seats is very low. The seats are close to squatting. At the same time, the headroom is too small, so it is not suitable for medium and long distances. The ride can only be used for short-distance emergencies, which is also a common problem with 7-seater SUV models.In addition, both the storage convenience and the seating space and comfort of the first and second rows are worthy of recognition.
The RX 450hL model I tested this time is no different from the old RX 450h in terms of power. It is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 naturally aspirated engine + front and rear axle dual motors, and is paired with an ECVT gearbox. The 3.5L V6 engine code-named 2GR-FXS has D-4S fuel compound injection technology and VVT-iW intelligent wide-angle variable valve timing system, thereby enabling the engine to operate in the Otto cycle and Atkinson cycle. Free switching in takes into account both power and fuel consumption.
Summary: The most important thing about this facelift of Lexus RX is the launch of PX 450hL. This car perfectly inherits the past advantages of Lexus. It has a beautiful and powerful appearance, and the luxury of the interior is more than just real materials. The stacking is intriguing, and the driving aspect is still the most classic Lexus smoothness, tranquility and comfort, without losing power. The emergence of 6-seat and 7-seat RX 450hL models can meet the needs of customers with different space requirements, making the RX model more competitive in the same class.
(picture/text Wang Yajie, Netcom)
