The RX has been Lexus's most important model in Australia for decades, and the 350h Luxury eFour is the version most buyers should be looking at: the self-charging hybrid, with all-wheel drive, in the grade where the value sits.
What eFour means
Rather than a mechanical driveshaft to the rear axle, eFour uses a separate electric motor to drive the rear wheels when extra traction is needed. In practice it is seamless — you notice it as confidence in the wet rather than as a system doing something.
The 350h pairs a 2.5-litre petrol engine with the hybrid system for smooth, quiet progress and fuel consumption around the 5-6L/100km mark in mixed driving, which is remarkable for a large SUV.
The experience
Refinement is the point of this car. It glides. Wind and road noise are exceptionally well suppressed, the ride is soft without wallowing, and the powertrain slips between electric and petrol almost imperceptibly at low speed. It is not a sports SUV and does not pretend to be — push hard and the engine drones under load, a familiar hybrid trait.
The cabin is the other reason people buy Lexus. Material quality, panel fit and switch feel are genuinely excellent, the front seats are superb on long trips, and the rear seat is spacious and comfortable.
Things to weigh up
The RX is a five-seat SUV; if you need a third row you are looking at a different model. Boot space is good but not class-leading. And German rivals offer more driver engagement and, in some cases, more overt technology.
The ownership case
This is where the RX quietly wins. Lexus reliability is a known quantity, the hybrid system has a long track record, servicing costs are modest for the class, and the ownership program in Australia is genuinely generous. Depreciation is kinder than most European equivalents.
Verdict
If you want a luxury SUV that is calm, superbly built, cheap to run for its size and unlikely to spring expensive surprises, the RX 350h Luxury eFour is one of the most sensible purchases in the segment. Buyers chasing driving thrills should look elsewhere — everyone else should drive one.