Luxo-Ranger: The 2016 RX 350 F-Sport

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Luxo-Ranger: The 2016 RX 350 F-Sport

As the pictures may blatantly reveal, the 2016 RX 350 F-Sport has been styled with verve, but will that, along with the staple Lexus qualities, help it retain its crowning glory in the highly-competitive segment?

By George Kuruvilla

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Published: Thu 14 Jan 2016, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Fri 22 Jan 2016, 7:38 AM

The age of calling crossover SUVs repugnant mommy-movers is over, as people across demographics embrace the value, practicality and now cutting-edge styling offered by these elevated estates.
This week, we talk about the Lexus RX - the vehicle that pioneered the crossover SUV segment. As the pictures may blatantly reveal, the 2016 RX 350 F-Sport has been styled with verve, but will that, along with the staple Lexus qualities, help it retain its crowning glory in the highly-competitive segment?

DESIGN & AESTHETICS

There is no place for ugly 'Sport-Utes' in today's automotive market. And the 2016 Lexus RX 350 - especially in F-Sport trim - is a statement and stamp against the unfashionable. It is a sum of sharp arrows and lightning motifs that looks ready to cheat the wind, whilst keeping it innovatively chic to give you identity on the road. It is a full disclosure of Lexus' new styling guide that involves seemingly dented panels and intersecting character lines.
Helping the RX flaunt its corporate ID is an oversized spindle grille with an F-Sport-specific black-out mesh grille - while the regular RX gets sharp slats. There is genuine complexity in the construction of these things - it's not like you can create them from 3D printers.

The acute angled frame of the ornate headlamp cluster houses 3-set LED lamps that splash large beams of light onto the road, if chosen over the standard xenon headlamps. It is underlined by a tick-shaped set of 18 individual daytime running LEDs that pose as turn signal indicators when necessary. The face of the RX itself has so many creases, I swear I got a paper cut while running my fingers over the bonnet! And it's not just creases in random order; there is an underlying but definitive continuity in the lines, even as they cross over other lines at times. Again, that is the ingenuity of design and production methods.
The prelude of this crumpled, but sophisticated design was seen in the NX crossover released earlier last year. This new-gen RX is just a stretched version of the NX and is about 50mm longer than its predecessor. On another note, all cars seem to grow by the generation. We may soon pilot air-conditioned self-driving Caterpillars to work. Who knows!
One intriguing, yet borderline obtrusive, cue this mall crawler bears is the black plastic surround over the wheel arches - it takes away some of the sunshine of this otherwise sparkling design. Also, obvious is Lexus' attempt to create the floating roof, by blacking out parts of the C-pillar. You also have a sharp, far-reaching rear spoiler that will throw some shade, in a good way to the exposed glass rear window, which keeps luggage cool to some extent.

Honestly, the hindsight is the least impressive piece of this otherwise fantastic design. It is almost Subaru XV-like. Of course, being a Lexus, it's a lot edgier and the LED-based strip lighting takes it to another level. Lexus have also managed to resonate the spindle shape by creatively having it embossed on the tail gate. Neat! The 2016 model has a sensor-based boot opening system that is operable by placing your arm or elbow over it - pretty useful if your hands are full with shopping bags or a baby.
The F-Sport model adds on modified lower front and rear spoilers finished in satin chrome and black side mirrors to match the grille. The most charming addition is the Graphite finish 20" 10-spoke aluminum alloys, effectively making this a lightning bolt motif on wheels.
For its convenience of size and their Lexus' artistry, the Lexus RX is the pick of the segment. But looks fade, as they say, and its personality is what we are concerned about: interiors in this case, as owners spend 90 per cent of their time driving their cars than staring at them.
Firstly, the high elasticity of the paint material helps resist scratches, such as fingernail marks around the door handles. Hop aboard the elevated floor and feast your eyes on a well-put together 80s-inspired styling that takes on structured design with a few quirky cues, the satin trim that flows over the centre console, for instance (like that perfect single curl of hair over Superman's forehead).
In the F-Sport trim, the RX has Troja Red perforated leather seats. The front seats are highly bolstered but, at shoulder level, bigger persons may find it a tad tight and the seats too firm. Unlike conventional cushioning though, the upholstery is shaped and foam injected into it. The dash is plastic and black, but looks premium, thanks to random satin trims all over. The rectangular air vents and the hard buttons give off an air of the 80s. Besides the F-Sport, in which you have brushed aluminum trim to decorate the cabin, you also get a variety of woods - one with an aluminum strip created by master woodworkers at the grandest piano makers Yamaha is also available.
There are three notable additions to the F-Sport: the moveable digital cluster that changes colours (an interactive centerpiece), and the 4.2" colour TFT display to highlight the driver info (which you can customise via the steering-mounted buttons). The main show, however, is the dash-mounted 12.3" Electro Multi-Vision display planted as landscape sharing screen space with music and map etc. Lastly, to control it all, Lexus gives you their version of the mouse, replacing the touch pad, which, in turn, had replaced the first generation Lexus mouse. Among the many enhanced features, are touch-type LED lamp switches for the overhead console and 11.6" dual screens for the rear seat.
With gain in length comes gain in legroom in the already commodious rear seats of the RX. Average-sized adults should find a cosy compromise while enjoying the view from the Panoramic sunroof. Unfortunately, unlike the Volvo XC90 and many other new models, this does not come with a third row; Lexus says, upgrade to the LX 570 for that.
We found the cabin to be lovely, ever entertained by technology and comforted by the cabin material. Styling is subjective; but, in the RX, you can bank on quality. We are almost sure to find at least three QC stickers somewhere. The Japanese manufacturer has OCD that way.

POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE

We were almost sure Lexus was going to replace the age-old 3.5L V6 with something supercharged like its counterparts. However, they retained the 6-pot, giving it a power bump by using direct injection. The whole system is now capable of counting up to 295 horses, if you let the rev meter rise to 6,300rpm; as for torque, the claimed figure of 362Nm available at 4,700rpm is distributed to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission on all models. Previously, only the F-Sport enjoyed so many gear ratios; the advantage is to increase torque for acceleration and improved fuel economy, especially on highways.
Almost all Lexus models are built for a relaxed drive, and the RX 350 is yet another example. It isn't quite a perky oil burner, but there is sufficient thrust to keep you pinned to the seat for a moment, as you climb all the way from 0 to 100km/h in about 8 seconds. The torque band feels meaty to help you skip traffic and slide by trailer trucks. And, yes, the adaptive cruise control using radar technology helps you keep distance from the car ahead as you coast on the highways effortlessly. Also mention-worthy is the RX's sound generator, which takes air intake pulsations to tune the engine sound to produce certain likeable frequencies during acceleration, in the mid- to high-rpm range. Frankly, I'm only half-impressed.
The electric power steering feeling has a dampened quality to it - not particularly sporty. It comes across as luxurious and isolating. That said, there is plenty of dynamism in the chassis, without being an outright road racer like a Cayenne or X5, thanks to the all-wheel drive system. The elevated ride should allow for driving through trails and light off-roading, but it is best kept on tarmac. Meanwhile, the front-strut and rear double-wishbone suspension maintain the plush ride that the RXs of past were known for.
In the RX, rest assured, you can brake to reduce speed or come to a halt with a confidence provided by the firm pedal feel and the four-wheel ventilated power-assisted disc brakes, served with ABS, Electronic Brake force Distribution and Brake Assist, etc.
Being of mid-size proportion with a medium displacement engine, the RX is far from being an environmentally-friendly zero emission vehicle, but it doesn't eat into your wallet at the station either. Expect anywhere between 11 and 15L/100km.

FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY

With the F-Sport packs come all the bells and whistles, including a high-end Mark Levinson Surround System that pushes out some great sounds through 15 speakers suited for all kinds of music. Base car's 12-speaker audio system is also good enough, considering its manufacturer is Pioneer. You can connect via streaming Bluetooth, an AUX mini jack and two USB ports.
The 12.3" infotainment screen is capable of displaying two sets of information, and the menus can either be controlled via voice instruction or by a mouse. We like the intuitive arrangement of the on-screen buttons, which reduces the learning curve by a bit.
Lexus had the good heart to devise a 40:20:40 split arrangement for the rear seats. This means you have a wide variety of configurations for luggage and people. Seat four with a long item through the middle, or down them all for some furniture moving flexibility.
RX prioritises safety by incorporating many, if not all, of the contemporary safety systems. It combines a multitude of features like Pre-Crash Safety System, Lane Departure Alert, Blind Spot Monitor that sees over your shoulder, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert that watches your back when reversing. There are also 10 airbags and anti-whiplash technology to soften the blow of impact. Other features include Vehicle Sway Warning to alert you if you get distracted, and Panoramic View Monitor, which is basically a 360-degree camera.

VERDICT

Every element of the 2016 Lexus RX 350 F-Sport is good or great, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This easy-going family SUV is as competent and reliable as a Lexus can be, while the lightning-shaped motif will give any European SUV a run for its money. As debatable as it may seem, this could be the best car in its class. a touch up on perfection, as Lexus would say!


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