Despite developed primarily for the US market, the Lexus RX has been a big success here in Singapore. Throughout its three generations, the RX has been so well loved that it was even once the best selling SUV model here, surpassing the sales of even mass market models like the Honda CRV along the way.
Lexus hopes that the RX story will continue in the light of the recent introduction of the updated version of the current generation model. The facelift not only see cosmetic changes to the RX's exterior but also higher equipment levels and new variants to help the RX fight off newer rivals from other premium brands like Range Rover, Audi and BMW among others.
As previously, the RX range comprises of the RX450h hybrid, RX350 and the entry-level RX270. With the facelift though, Lexus has introduced sportier trim variants of the three models with the RX450h and RX350 available in F Sport trim while the RX270 is available as a Sport.
Exterior
On the outside, the updated RX models are most easily distinguished from the predecessor at the front where the new car receives Lexus' new 'spindle' corporate grille. The grille does give the RX a more thrusting and distinctive face than previously while the front bumper is also more heavily sculpted than before.
Complimenting the new grille and bumper are the new headlamps that incorporate Lexus' L-finesse arrowhead motifs LED daytime running lamps. Along the sides, there are new front fenders to accommodate the slightly slimmer headlamps while the rear features new lamp clusters.
Lexus hopes that the RX story will continue in the light of the recent introduction of the updated version of the current generation model. The facelift not only see cosmetic changes to the RX's exterior but also higher equipment levels and new variants to help the RX fight off newer rivals from other premium brands like Range Rover, Audi and BMW among others.
As previously, the RX range comprises of the RX450h hybrid, RX350 and the entry-level RX270. With the facelift though, Lexus has introduced sportier trim variants of the three models with the RX450h and RX350 available in F Sport trim while the RX270 is available as a Sport.
Exterior
On the outside, the updated RX models are most easily distinguished from the predecessor at the front where the new car receives Lexus' new 'spindle' corporate grille. The grille does give the RX a more thrusting and distinctive face than previously while the front bumper is also more heavily sculpted than before.
Complimenting the new grille and bumper are the new headlamps that incorporate Lexus' L-finesse arrowhead motifs LED daytime running lamps. Along the sides, there are new front fenders to accommodate the slightly slimmer headlamps while the rear features new lamp clusters.
The new Sport trim RX270 can be distinguished by Luxury spec RX270s via its 19-inch alloy wheels that fill the RX's wheel arches more convincingly than the Luxury model's 18-inch rollers. The Sport's 19-inch wheels are actually similar in design to the F Sport models' but finished in silver instead of the dark grey shade on the latter models.
The RX270 Sport's radiator grille inserts are also similar to those on the non-Sport models rather than the mesh ones on the F Sport variants. The lower grille on the Sport though, gets the mesh inserts that give is a slightly sportier stance overall.
The RX270 Sport's radiator grille inserts are also similar to those on the non-Sport models rather than the mesh ones on the F Sport variants. The lower grille on the Sport though, gets the mesh inserts that give is a slightly sportier stance overall.
Interior
It is mostly standard RX fare on the inside, albeit with less kit and luxuries than on higher end models. The driving position is commanding and comfortable and there's good space to use at the rear for both passengers and load.
With the updated model, Lexus has also taken the opportunity to spec up the RX270's cabin with more kit and luxuries than previously. The RTI (Remote Touch Interface) is now a standard feature while the display screen is now in colour. Other standard kits include the panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, HID headlamps and so on.
It is mostly standard RX fare on the inside, albeit with less kit and luxuries than on higher end models. The driving position is commanding and comfortable and there's good space to use at the rear for both passengers and load.
With the updated model, Lexus has also taken the opportunity to spec up the RX270's cabin with more kit and luxuries than previously. The RTI (Remote Touch Interface) is now a standard feature while the display screen is now in colour. Other standard kits include the panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, HID headlamps and so on.
The Drive
As its moniker suggests, the RX270 gets its power from a 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine, making this model the first Lexus sold in Singapore that has a four-pot motor. The motor powering the RX270 is Toyota's 2672cc in-line four-cylinder engine that is also used in models like the RAV4 and Camry in overseas markets.
Equipped with Dual VVTi and ACIS (Acoustic Control Induction System), the four-pot motor makes a healthy 186bhp at 5800rpm, losing out 88bhp on the RX350's 3.5-litre V6 motor. 88 horses certainly sounds like a big deficit over the RX350's 274bhp and this is reflected by the RX270's noticeably more inferior performance figures - its 0-100km/h time of 11 seconds is a full 3 seconds slower than the V6 model's 8 seconds
As its moniker suggests, the RX270 gets its power from a 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine, making this model the first Lexus sold in Singapore that has a four-pot motor. The motor powering the RX270 is Toyota's 2672cc in-line four-cylinder engine that is also used in models like the RAV4 and Camry in overseas markets.
Equipped with Dual VVTi and ACIS (Acoustic Control Induction System), the four-pot motor makes a healthy 186bhp at 5800rpm, losing out 88bhp on the RX350's 3.5-litre V6 motor. 88 horses certainly sounds like a big deficit over the RX350's 274bhp and this is reflected by the RX270's noticeably more inferior performance figures - its 0-100km/h time of 11 seconds is a full 3 seconds slower than the V6 model's 8 seconds
The RX270's performance deficit isn't so obvious once out on the move though. The 2.7-litre unit's 252Nm does an admirable job of shifting the mid-sized SUV up to speed from a rolling start. Incidentally, the RX270 is also 135kg lighter than the RX350, thanks to its lack of all-wheel drive hardware and two less cylinders. The four-cylinder motor might not have as much torque as the RX350's V6 or the turbocharged lumps in its European rivals but it offers enough to give the RX270 reasonable go at any given speed.
A four-cylinder motor will never be as smooth or refined as a V6 but the RX270's unit is pretty remarkable on the refinement front. It revs smoothly right up to over 6000rpm, staying surprisingly unflustered and refined no matter how hard you rev it.
Transmitting the engine's power to the front wheels is the same six-speed automatic gearbox in the RX350. The gearbox not only offers well-spaced ratios to exploit whatever go the engine can muster but also offers smooth and crisp gear changes. It also responses pretty swiftly to the driver's throttle inputs.
Out in the corners, the standard RX does roll a bit that can be a tad disconcerting to some. The Sport model tested here feels like it offers slightly better body control than non-Sport RX270 models. This is thanks to the slightly stiffer suspension settings offered in this variant.
The steering is effortless but it lacks accuracy and is a tad short on feel and feedback. Being a large luxury SUV, you won't expect the RX270 to be a drivers' or enthusiasts' automatic choice, that's for sure. As it is only front wheel driven, the RX270's front wheels do have a tendency to spin when you try to put the power down on wet or loose surfaces. Thankfully, traction control is ever present to keep wheel spin to a minimum.
A four-cylinder motor will never be as smooth or refined as a V6 but the RX270's unit is pretty remarkable on the refinement front. It revs smoothly right up to over 6000rpm, staying surprisingly unflustered and refined no matter how hard you rev it.
Transmitting the engine's power to the front wheels is the same six-speed automatic gearbox in the RX350. The gearbox not only offers well-spaced ratios to exploit whatever go the engine can muster but also offers smooth and crisp gear changes. It also responses pretty swiftly to the driver's throttle inputs.
Out in the corners, the standard RX does roll a bit that can be a tad disconcerting to some. The Sport model tested here feels like it offers slightly better body control than non-Sport RX270 models. This is thanks to the slightly stiffer suspension settings offered in this variant.
The steering is effortless but it lacks accuracy and is a tad short on feel and feedback. Being a large luxury SUV, you won't expect the RX270 to be a drivers' or enthusiasts' automatic choice, that's for sure. As it is only front wheel driven, the RX270's front wheels do have a tendency to spin when you try to put the power down on wet or loose surfaces. Thankfully, traction control is ever present to keep wheel spin to a minimum.
The RX was never made to go off road so the lack of four-wheel drive doesn't really hurt the RX270. What the RX270 does best is when cruising or wafting along. As expected of a Lexus, the ride is comfortable at all speeds despite the larger wheels and stiffer suspension while the cabin is free from external noises at expressway cruising speeds.
Conclusion
With the new Sport variant of entry-level RX, Lexus has added improved handling and even more standard kit to the RX270, making it an even more convincing proposition as a base model.
Conclusion
With the new Sport variant of entry-level RX, Lexus has added improved handling and even more standard kit to the RX270, making it an even more convincing proposition as a base model.
