Lexus: All power to the next generation

The Lexus RX450h SUV offers power without the fuel and emissions penalty. Photo / Jacqui Madelin

The RX450h SUV is big news for Toyota and its Lexus luxury arm - for this is a second-generation hybrid. The technology is better, while the first gen has stood the test of time - even the batteries are holding up well.

Toyota guarantees to collect dead hybrid batteries for recycling. The first hybrids arrived as used imports back in 1997. Toyota currently has just four batteries in its warehouse.

What's new?
The body is the same as the conventionally powered RX350, it's what drives it that's changed. The bigger, 3.5-litre motor uses what's called the Atkinson, rather than Otto cycle. This is a rarely used method of dramatically increasing engine efficiency from a given capacity. It's hardly used because it produces very little power at low revs.

But electric motors produce their best power there, and the combination is devastating, thanks to the grunt and fuel-efficiency of electric motors at low revs and the greater efficiency of this petrol unit at high.

The company line
The better fuel efficiency of modern powerplants in general, and hybrids in particular, will see a resurgence of SUV popularity, says Lexus NZ manager Debbie Pattullo. She expects hybrids' limited share of the market to increase with this second-generation car, and the arrival of hybrid competitors.

Meanwhile, RX buyers benefit from Lexus' new strategy to offer more model variants, with three specification levels of 450h available. Even the most affordable comes with the standard Lexus four-year warranty, free servicing, a set of free tyres and more.

What we say
Hybrids like this offer you the power you want without the fuel and emissions penalty. You can get more frugal vehicles, but not if you want a grunty SUV. To get both you need diesel or hybrid power, but diesels have their own problems.

Look at BMW's 3.0-litre diesel X5. It delivers 210kW and 580Nm of torque, for a 7.5l/100km fuel figure - impressive. Carbon output is 216g/km, NOx measures 0.305g/km and particulate emissions 0.001.

This RX450h delivers a touch more power and torque, for a 6.4l/100km thirst, a carbon figure of 150g/km, no particulates and NOx emissions of 0.01g/km. It's very clever stuff, even before you consider the side-view cameras, the 12 airbags, the radar cruise control and head-up display fitted to the top-spec Limited.

On the road
Decent handling for a SUV, comfy ride, four-wheel-grip and enormous amounts of urge from basement revs. Shame one tends to focus so much on "look how much/little fuel I'm using", or viewing the screen showing power flow between wheels, battery and motor. I suppose you'd get used to it.

Why you'll buy one
You want a powerful planet-eating luxury SUV that drinks and emits frugally. And quite apart from the hybrid tech the features list offers plenty to boast about, not to mention the customer care - Lexus even collects and returns your car from home or work at service time.

Why you won't
This much for a Japanese car? And they might talk design-to-scrap eco-responsibility, but it's hard to prove, and even harder to persuade your Mercedes-driving golf buddies.