Lexus RX review - Practicality, comfort and boot space
Boot capacity isn't the best, but there's plenty of room in the cabin
Even though the latest RX isn’t that much bigger on the road than its predecessor, the new model’s redesigned seats, longer wheelbase and the more favourable packaging of the GA-K platform mean Lexus can claim that space inside is much better than before. The RX is only available as a five-seater, however, and as yet there has been no word of the return of the RX L seven-seat variant.
Size
The fifth-generation Lexus RX is 4,890mm long – exactly the same length as the previous model – but it’s 25mm wider and 10mm lower. Plus the new model’s wheelbase is 60mm longer than before, made possible by the move to the newer GA-K platform. Wider front and rear track widths are joined by a shorter rear overhang, giving the new car a different stance to the old model.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
The new RX’s longer wheelbase means there’s lots of legroom in the rear, and despite the RX’s tapered roof (partly a styling trick), headroom is good, too. The rear seats will accommodate three adults, no problem, and by upgrading to the top-of-the-range Takumi spec you also get heated and electrically operated rear seats, allowing those in the back to recline. There are also lots of handy cubbyholes dotted around the cabin.
Boot
With 461 litres of boot space on offer, the RX’s luggage capacity is rather small for an SUV of this size, especially when compared with the 650 litres you get in a BMW X5, or the Mercedes GLE’s cavernous 690 litres of cargo space. At least the plug-in hybrid RX doesn’t get any less boot space.
Lower-spec models have levers for folding the rear seats down, but in pricier versions they can be folded up and down with the touch of a button, which takes a little longer.
Towing
Whether you go for a self-charging or plug-in hybrid Lexus RX, the towing capacity is 2,000kg for braked trailers and 750kg for unbraked trailers. While it can’t match the 3,500kg towing limit of a diesel Land Rover Discovery, two tonnes should be plenty for the majority of drivers who want to haul a large caravan or sizeable trailer with a load on it.
