Lexus RX (03-09) - Review

Thanks to a smooth and supple ride, the RX is cosseting - even on rough roads. It's very refined and wind and road noise are kept to a minimum while the automatic gearbox offers super smooth changes. The soft seats (leather on most models) are great for long journeys and there's plenty of room in the back with especially generous legroom - although the large central console means foot space is limited for anyone sitting in the middle seat. The petrol-electric hybrid version is exceptionally refined being utterly silent in some situations and the CVT helps keep the revs down.

Thanks to a spacious cabin, the RX is great for families but the boot is a little disappointing. There's only 439 litres of luggage room (on both the standard and hybrid models) which is very low compared to alternatives like the BMW X5. The sloping tailgate doesn't help and means it's not easy to carry large or awkward items. On the plus side the boot opening is large and the load area itself is wide with no intrusions. The rear seats don't quite fold flat but the glove box is a decent size and there is a handy storage compartment between the front seats.

There should be no problems finding a good driving position. All cars have an eight-way electrically-adjustable driver's seat plus there's good all-round visibility. SE-L models have a rear-mounted reversing camera to make parking easier. But while the dash is neatly styled, there are a lot of buttons to contend with and it doesn't feel or look especially sophisticated. The RX400h has aluminium dash and centre console trim rather than the 'designed for American tastes' wood of the RX300 and RX350.