Lexus RX Station wagon 2003 - Present

If you have any environmentalist mates that you want to annoy turn up to a dinner party at their house in a Lexus RX. The big ‘Soft Roader' was initially launched in the US as one of their SUV range, and it's transition to the European market has proven very successful. Despite looking as if it could trek anywhere that a mountain goat could go, it's not really a usable 4X4 as it's off road capabilities are extremely limited.

Lexus have been slow to embrace the diesel revolution and the RX is no different to the rest of the range. There is, as ever, a hybrid option which will enable the RX driver to get an extra 10 mpg from their big 4X4, but that still only gets it up to 35 mpg, and yes the regular petrol options go down to a combined cycle of 23mpg, that's gotta hurt. The levels of performance on offer from the RX are much more impressive than the economy figures. The 0 - 60 times on offer are all sub nine seconds, with the entry level 3.0L option putting in 8.7 seconds and the 3.5L petrol unit 7.6 seconds, while the Hybrid rewards it's owner with a sprint to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. All engines top out at 124 mph.

While driving the RX you're treated to great levels of comfort and finish. The instrument panel is handsome looking and if you're lucky enough to be driving the SE-L there is a monitor that displays the picture from the rear mounted camera. This actually takes a little getting used to; it's like trying to plat your own hair, takes a while to get your head round, but once you have it's a real breeze to park. It also feels really James Bond, probably something that you get used to if you actually own the car but… The steering is smooth and easy, although it does offer very little in the way of feedback from the road. The RX will follow the directions that you set in with precision. It has a stability control system that cuts in if the RX feels like you're getting a bit too enthusiastic into the corners. When it cuts in it lets you, and your passengers know all about it with a beeping noise, which is pretty irritating and disconcerting for the passengers. “What's that?”, “it's just the stability control unit Dear, I'm enjoying myself too much!”

Despite it's looks the RX is purely a road bound car. The four wheel drive system features a system of electric motors with voltage power being used on both the front and rear wheels, and the engine powers the front wheels. This means that in the event of front slippage you're reliant on the rear wheels electric motor to power you out of trouble, which it can struggle with, as the RX is no lightweight motor.

Inside the RX you're treated to the sort of refinement and finish that you'd never take off road anyway. The seats are very comfortable and there's loads of leg room throughout the cabin. The Hybrid engine offers silent driving at speeds below 30 mph and the continuously variable transmission offers the smoothest gearbox known to man.

The RX never really feels as fast as the figures claim it is and the economy offered by the engines is pretty bad. It does offer a big and luxurious drive but it's absence of off road ability makes it something of a wolf in sheep's clothing. Offering all of the bad parts of a 4X4 without any of the versatile driving benefits. They do offer a very comfortable and competent road car that can provide good in town miles as well as a great cruiser. Don't be fooled by the looks and take it off road though.

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