Living up to other people's expectations can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. It's not wrong, of course, if you decide to choose this path of life because 'playing it safe' will never get you into any trouble.
But it doesn't mean that stepping out of your comfort zone to get what really makes you happy indicates that you're an irresponsible person. It just simply means you are making a choice to be happier than you already are and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
For many years, Japanese luxury carmaker Lexus has been living up to people's expectations - being brilliantly luxurious without any hint of sporty disposition. That meant buying a Lexus car would make you contented, but just not proud enough to be raving it to your family and buddies at a gathering to make you feel satisfied.
But it seems things have taken a change. The brand that was once known for 'playing it safe' has stepped out of its comfort zone to achieve more than what it should - and with the fourth and latest generation RX that you see here, it certainly shows.
Exterior
Major changes around the car are evident even with one glance but it's the massive spindle grille up front that takes the cake. The headlamps, fog lamps, grille and flared fenders are all more angular, assertive and aggressive - transforming what was once a rounded and baggy suit into a sharp and sleek one.
But it doesn't mean that stepping out of your comfort zone to get what really makes you happy indicates that you're an irresponsible person. It just simply means you are making a choice to be happier than you already are and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
For many years, Japanese luxury carmaker Lexus has been living up to people's expectations - being brilliantly luxurious without any hint of sporty disposition. That meant buying a Lexus car would make you contented, but just not proud enough to be raving it to your family and buddies at a gathering to make you feel satisfied.
But it seems things have taken a change. The brand that was once known for 'playing it safe' has stepped out of its comfort zone to achieve more than what it should - and with the fourth and latest generation RX that you see here, it certainly shows.
Exterior
Major changes around the car are evident even with one glance but it's the massive spindle grille up front that takes the cake. The headlamps, fog lamps, grille and flared fenders are all more angular, assertive and aggressive - transforming what was once a rounded and baggy suit into a sharp and sleek one.
At the back, things get a little messier but happier, with a feast of chiselled and adventurous lines and new LED taillights that give the SUV a wider and meatier appearance.
At 4,890mm x 1,895mm x 1,690mm (L x W x H), the Lexus RX does come across as distinctive, especially on the road when eyes of envy are constantly attracted to it. Unlike previous generations, the spanking new SUV does make you feel proud to be seen in one - almost like how it's your best friend and not being afraid that people will judge or gossip about how you foolishly spent $271,000 (as of 8th January 2016) on a Japanese car.
Interior
While its predecessor wasn't short on space, the all new RX offers more room. Three full-sized adults will enjoy sufficient head, leg and shoulder room, thanks to its generous width and wheelbase of 2,790mm.
Still, despite being bigger and broader, drivers will get to sit up high, allowing for a commanding view of the road ahead. Speaking of seats, front occupants will be enjoying ventilated as well as comfortable benches - perfect for our hot and humid weather.
While its predecessor wasn't short on space, the all new RX offers more room. Three full-sized adults will enjoy sufficient head, leg and shoulder room, thanks to its generous width and wheelbase of 2,790mm.
Still, despite being bigger and broader, drivers will get to sit up high, allowing for a commanding view of the road ahead. Speaking of seats, front occupants will be enjoying ventilated as well as comfortable benches - perfect for our hot and humid weather.
Expected high levels of comfort aside, the push to increase visual interest in the cabin is clearly evident. The centre console is dominated by the intuitive Remote Touch Interface (RTI) that allows you to access various vehicle functions like climate control, audio, phone and navigation that are shown on the whopping 12.3-inch Electro Multi Vision Display (EMV).
While words like luxurious, comfortable and plush are commonly associated with an interior of a Lexus, we reckon warm, serene and fuzzy are apt words to describe the cabin of the new RX. Everything is neatly and tidily laid out, which makes its a nice place to hang out, really.
While words like luxurious, comfortable and plush are commonly associated with an interior of a Lexus, we reckon warm, serene and fuzzy are apt words to describe the cabin of the new RX. Everything is neatly and tidily laid out, which makes its a nice place to hang out, really.
The Drive
Powering the two-tonne machine is a 2.0-litre four-pot turbocharged powerplant that's also found in the smaller and lighter Lexus NX. Although the Luxury trim RX that you see here doesn't come equipped with the Adaptive Variable Suspension (only the F Sport variant has it as standard), a system that monitors and automatically adjusts the shock damping, the car feels right at home on our urban roads, with a ride that's never uncomfortable despite whatever the tarmac throws at it.
Despite churning out a humble 234 Samurai horses and 350Nm of twisting force, the SUV feels pleasantly strong. It manages to finish the century sprint in a respectable 9.5 seconds but it's not what you'll call fast.
Perhaps it has to do with the way the power is sent out to the wheels. Linearity is the name of Lexus' game here. Power doesn't build up and unleash after the tacho needle goes past a certain rpm like how most turbocharged cars do. Instead, it's very well-controlled and composed, which is how we like it.
The seamless six-speed automatic gearbox has to take the credit for this. It's so faultlessly silky and remarkably quick when left to its own devices that shfiting it to manual mode seems almost redundant. Regardless of the driving mode you select, you'll never find yourself in the wrong gear at any point in time.
Powering the two-tonne machine is a 2.0-litre four-pot turbocharged powerplant that's also found in the smaller and lighter Lexus NX. Although the Luxury trim RX that you see here doesn't come equipped with the Adaptive Variable Suspension (only the F Sport variant has it as standard), a system that monitors and automatically adjusts the shock damping, the car feels right at home on our urban roads, with a ride that's never uncomfortable despite whatever the tarmac throws at it.
Despite churning out a humble 234 Samurai horses and 350Nm of twisting force, the SUV feels pleasantly strong. It manages to finish the century sprint in a respectable 9.5 seconds but it's not what you'll call fast.
Perhaps it has to do with the way the power is sent out to the wheels. Linearity is the name of Lexus' game here. Power doesn't build up and unleash after the tacho needle goes past a certain rpm like how most turbocharged cars do. Instead, it's very well-controlled and composed, which is how we like it.
The seamless six-speed automatic gearbox has to take the credit for this. It's so faultlessly silky and remarkably quick when left to its own devices that shfiting it to manual mode seems almost redundant. Regardless of the driving mode you select, you'll never find yourself in the wrong gear at any point in time.
More relevantly to RX buyers is the superb and smooth serenity the car displays. Insulation from wind and road noise is down to bare minimum even when you're travelling way past the illegal speed limits on the road. The only quibble we have with the car is the steering. While it does come across as more responsive and sharper than before, it's a tad numb and lacking communication.
Conclusion
Before, the Lexus RX was an SUV that will never offend, but it'll never excite either. This time round, it's clear the luxury Japanese marque is not playing it safe with the new RX, which is no bad thing because not stepping out of your comfort zone does make things go sadly stale.
Well, at least Lexus is strong and courageous enough to make the first right move of being both a contented and satisfying carmaker.
Conclusion
Before, the Lexus RX was an SUV that will never offend, but it'll never excite either. This time round, it's clear the luxury Japanese marque is not playing it safe with the new RX, which is no bad thing because not stepping out of your comfort zone does make things go sadly stale.
Well, at least Lexus is strong and courageous enough to make the first right move of being both a contented and satisfying carmaker.
