What's the news?
Lexus has just released an update of the RX 450h hybrid SUV, which will go on sale before the end of the year. As before, it's available with two or three rows of seats, and the big news this time around is that you can finally have it with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Big news? Oh yes - Lexus' standard infotainment system is really fiddly, so the upgrade to proper smartphone connectivity will be hugely welcome. It's part of a general overhaul of the system that includes a touchscreen too. The map graphics seem to have been updated as well, which is equally welcome.
On the outside, the styling has been lightly massaged, and while it doesn't look dramatically different, it does definitely look a little smoother at the front. There are new bumpers, and the rear bumper is now more smoothly blended with the bodywork. The grille has been given a go-over too, and now also looks a little smoother and better-integrated.
The headlights are all-new as well, and we mean really all-new, debuting as they do the new BladeScan Type AHS (Active High-beam System). These aren't just bulbs that switch on and off, oh no. Lexus has developed a system that uses an LED-sourced light that shines onto two blade mirrors spinning at high speed, and the light is transferred to a lens to illuminate the road ahead. While the light does not appear to be moving, the BladeScan Type AHS precisely controls light distribution by synchronising the rotation of the blade mirror and switching the LED headlamps on and off.
What does that mean? More light, and more accurately spread light. Lexus says that you'll pick up road signs much more quickly, and that in tests, pedestrian recognition at night was improved to reach 56 metres of front visibility compared to 32 in the previous system.
There's also an update for the Lexus Safety System + suite of driver aids, including an upgraded lane keeping steering setup, a road sign recognition system and new millimetre-wave radar for the front collision avoidance and pedestrian protection braking systems.
While the styling hasn't changed much, the structure of the body has. Lexus Chief Engineer Takeaki Kato said he was "Determined to deliver pleasurable driving experience through agile handling and enhanced driving pleasure, and the engineering team worked closely with the production team to achieve this goal."
The body is now laser screw welded, and 4.2 metres of adhesive have been used to help stiffen the structure. The anti-roll bars are now hollow, but 1mm thicker, and this has improved steering response, claims Lexus.
There's Active Cornering Assist (AC) that uses the brakes to help prevent understeer when cornering, and revised suspension dampers too.
In the cabin, the seven-seat model gets redesigned third-row seats that now have two positions, opening up more rear legroom than in the outgoing RX. The middle row has also come in for changes, with the option of two 'Captain's Chairs' instead of a bench seat, which also has the effect of adding 95mm of extra legroom for the third-row passengers, and which turns the RX into a six-seater when specified.
Sales start in the autumn.