RX300 is a thoroughbred workhorse

THE LEXUS RX300 permanent four wheel drive luxury sports utility vehicle came just one week too late for me to give it the ultimate test - the raging blizzard that had forced me to abandon my previous week’s test car and take the bus for the first time in 20 years!

And would you believe it, as a certain Victor Meldrew would say, the very day I picked up the RX300 the sun burst forth and stayed out with not a flake of snow in sight for the entire week we drove together. Absolutely perfect non 4x4 road-driving conditions!

This thoroughbred workhorse has been beating almost every rival in America for the past three years. However, for its onslaught onto our roads it has been meticulously fine-tuned for European driving conditions. And that has resulted in an off-roader that prefers tarmac to mud-plugging, but still devours battered roads – like some of our classic potholed varieties – with relish.

Built on the same platform as the Lexus GS series but with an all-new body, the Euro RX300 differs from its American stablemate with a number of powertrain and chassis refinements developed in Europe. These include fine tuning the steering and suspension to give greater driver response and feedback, as well as the addition of security and safety items like Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist.

Well controlled body suspension keeps body roll to a minimum on corners. The car flows through the bends. Stability control minimises lean and prevents any of the wheels losing traction.

The overall shape combines a careful balance between luxury car and sport-utility vehicle proportions. The styling is neither overly rugged nor overly soft making it attractive to both sexes. The distinctive Lexus grille, combined with halogen headlamps integrated into the body style by a hallmark Lexus green-tinted extension fairing give a clear brand identity.

Step inside and you’re greeted with plenty of space in a well appointed, beautifully finished interior that engulfs you in executive comfort.
As well as the standard fittings that include climate control, CD player, six-speaker stereo system and eight-way power adjustable driver and front passenger seats – which also have fold-down arm rests –and a rear seat that slides to and fro by up to 12 cms for more space, our ‘Executive’ model £52,975 (ex works) – the standard is £48,520 (ex works) – includes leather seats, cruise control, electric sunroof and TWO setting heated front seats.

The automatic gear shift lever is positioned in the centre instrument panel freeing up floor space between the seats for small items or for access to the central console which features drawers for CDs, tapes, mobile phones or similar items as well as movable and adjustable cup-holders.

An LCD screen displays audio, heating, climate control and trip computer functions.

And round the back there is a big boot more than adequate for the family luggage.

Quiet, smooth and powerful, the twin-cam all-aluminium three-litre V6 employing the highly-efficient VVT-1 variable valve timing system, outputs a class-leading 201bhp at 5600rpm with 80 per cent of peak torque as low as 1600rpm.

All this is through a five-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission matched to a sophisticated 4WD system featuring a viscious limited-slip centre differential. This requires no activation by the driver in slippery conditions and automatically transfers torque when required to the wheels which have the most traction. Furthermore, the VSC (vheicle stability control) steps in as soon as wheel spin is detected on one of the wheels.

Top speed is 112mph with the 0 to 62mph coming up in 9.2 seconds. We returned an average 20.5mpg.

The luxurious RX300 is a lovely car to drive, so quiet and so very comfortable. The smooth changing auto gearbox is a delight and steering is light and responsive.