The Lexus RX is something of a curious concoction. It’s a hybrid that’s not especially frugal, for a start. Counter that by saying that its 3.5-litre V6 petrol plus batteries plus hefty electric motor drivetrain is supposed to be sporting, and you come up against the problem that its soft suspension and slow steering means it’s basically terrible at being a sporting 4x4.
And then you remember that while rivals such as the Audi Q7, Volvo XC90 and BMW X5 are both available as seven-seaters or plug-in hybrids (or in the case of the Volvo, both) the Lexus offers neither option.
So why do we like it?
Well, the styling is great – all dramatic angles and massive, gaping grille. The interior, bar some clunky buttons and screen graphics, is little short of lovely and as long as you’re not wringing the engine’s neck, it’s superbly refined. Plus, in real-world driving, it’s more economical than the plug-in hybrids when they’re not running on pure electricity. Flawed, then, but still a rather charming car.
Price range: €69,650 to €86,250
CO2 emissions: 122 to 127g/km
Which one? May as well go with the F-Sport to make the most of the styling
PCP from €630 per month