Review Of Lexus RX F Sport - Since it was introduced way back in 1998, the RX has been a sales success for Lexus. Infact, every year it has sold an average of 100,000 units. Making it one of the most successful luxury vehicles of all time. For 2016, Lexus is now introducing it's fourth generation RX. With features and looks that Lexus hopes will win it more male buyers in an increasingly competitive segment. The RX is available in two editions. The RX 350 or the RX 450 Hybrid. For the first time you can add the F-Sport package to either model. In this first look video, we'll be driving a pre-production RX-350 F-Sport, which features a 3.5 liter v6 connected to an eight speed automatic transmission. This configuration puts out 295 horsepower with 267 pound feet of torque. EPA numbers are estimated at 19 mpg city, and 26 highway with all-wheel-drive. Though those are not official yet. Inside we'll find a beautiful interior that Lexus is known for. This because it is the F-Sport model, has special F-Sport seats.
Now one of the first things that you notice about this car is, yes it still has the little haptic joystick to control the large nav screen. It also has eco and sport and sport plus modes. Now because this is the F-Sport model, it'll now tighten up the suspension when you go into sport plus, it will also give you maximum feedback on your throttle. Now because this is the F-Sport model, it includes the F-Sport gauges. It doesn't have the little slidey thing, like some of the other F-Sport models have. But it does look very nice. It's a digital display with a multifunction on the side. If you get the standard RX, you get a more traditional dual gauge layout. The seats are of course heated and air conditioned, and there's also a new auto mode that will turn on the seat warmers and coolers in conjuction with your ultimate temperature.
So all We have to do is set it to 70 and auto, and it will heat or cool the seats accordingly to keep me comfortable. Very nice. The steering wheel is an LFA inspired 3-spoke unit. It has all the controls you would need readily at hand. And it's actually quite comfortable. And the stitching and the leather are quite nice, as you would expect. Now, this particular model has a traditional sunroof, however, a panorama sunroof is also now available. Plus, you can get adaptive cruise control, which the RX has had for a while now. But it also has pedestrian detection and collision mitigation, as well as blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert with the rear view camera. That whole package is available for pretty much any RX model. So, enough talking about it. Let's take it out on the road. On the road, the RX hauls groceries much faster and furiouser than the outgoing model. The extra 25 horses they added to the motor for 2016 really pays off in smiles. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the adaptive suspension. It does an amazing job of keeping the RX's mass centered, even when pushing through curvy b-roads.
For 2016, Lexus has finally stepped up to the plate with a proper F-Sport offering. In addition to the badge, you now get aluminum pedals, G-meter, adaptive variable suspension, engine sound amplifier, paddle shifters, and a new sport S+ mode, which gives the transmission and steering a more aggressive edge. But even with this extra edge, the RX still maintains the feel of a Lexus. No one will complain about the ride, the seats, or even the interior. It's all very well executed, and very much on the conservative side of exciting. Lexus has also made a number of enhancements to the navigation system. Though its very similar to the 2015 set up, it now has a full screen map option, and that's nice. The biggest question mark about the new RX is the looks. Will enough buyers appreciate the new styling for Lexus to remain the king of the luxury crossover marketplace.
