PERHAPS THE MOST successful luxury Sports Utility Vehicle (or SUV) in the Singapore market, the Lexus RX has been given a shot in the arm, in a bid to extend its dominance.

No, we haven't used the wrong pictures, for the new RX does look identical to the old one. What's new, you can't see, for it resides under the bonnet.

A freshly-designed 3.5-litre V6 now propels the RX, in place of the old 3.0-litre unit, which explains the RX 350 insignia and its subsequent consignment of the RX 300 badge to history.

The 461cc increase in engine capacity has given the car a 68bhp power hike over the RX 300, which brings total power output to an impressive 272bhp. This makes the RX 350 more powerful than the BMW X5 3.0i and the Porsche Cayenne 3.2, and brings it on par with the Mercedes-Benz ML 350.
Lexus claims the RX 350 is about 1.2 seconds quicker from standstill to 100km/h than the RX 300 and it boasts an increased top speed of approximately 205km/h (from 180km/h).

Despite the punchier performance package, though, the Japanese auto manufacturer claims lower fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, as well.

Other enhancements include a revised five-speed automatic gearbox, better noise insulation and a higher level of standard equipment.

DRIVING IT

On the road, the V6 is exceptionally hushed. You can hardly detect any sort of noise or vibration from it. The unit revs freely and produces a sporty growl when it spools beyond 3,500rpm.

The RX350 is noticeably swifter than its predecessor when launching from stationary, and it's much stronger in overtaking. The five-speed automatic gearbox has new software that improves gearshift action and responses, while the Sport mode allows the driver to effect manual downshifts via the gearlever.

Overall, the revised gearbox feels more refined for stop-start urban use than that found in the old model, and it shifts more promptly when the driver swaps gears by hand.

The steering has been tweaked also to provide sharper turn-in response and better feedback, and as a result, compared to the predecessor the RX 350's steering is more direct and positive. However, it's still not as fluid and chatty as what you'd find in a BMW X5, failing to connect driver with road effectively.

Along winding roads, the RX 350 rolls quite a bit. This dampens your confidence during aggressive driving, although grip is there aplenty in all weather conditions. The chassis is nicely rigid and, with the comfort-biased suspension, the RX 350 eats up bad roads with excellent composure and first-class suppleness.

The brakes are impressively powerful, slashing speed with great authority and boasting high resistance to fade. Two things we dislike about them, though, are the mushy pedal and lack of progressiveness.

INSIDE IT

Step inside the cabin and you'll be both impressed and disappointed. The plush leather upholstery, fine wood panels and immaculate build quality are a class above the rest in its class, while the buttons and switches are all intuitively located.

The sad part about the interior is that it doesn't offer a step forward from the previous car's. Given that the RX 350 is a new model, it deserves some styling tweaks to go with the updated engine and gearbox, if you ask us.

In terms of roominess, the RX 350 is comparable to most of its German competitors, boasting generous head and legroom. The 40:20:40 split rear seats allow top-nothc versatility, plus the electric powered tailgate is a neat feature that boosts practicality.

DOLLARS AND SENSE

The test car we drove was a Super Luxury edition, with all the bells and whistles, for $175,888 with COE. Spend $5,000 less and you get the Luxury variant, and below that the entry-level model will set you back $153,888 with COE.

All three versions come standard with seven airbags, traction control, Lexus' VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system, 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof spoiler, steering-mounted audio controls, dual-zone climate control, self-dimming rear-view mirror and an 11-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.

So why consider the Super Luxury variant? Because it gets the motorised tailgate, electrically-operated rake-and-reach adjustment for the steering, rain-sensing wipers, and a lovely multi-panel moonroof that stretches right back over the rear passengers.

If streams of sunshine (or moonlight, for that matter) aren't really your thing, save yourself the five grand and opt for the Luxury version, which makes do with a conventional moonroof.

CONCLUSION

Extra power is always nice, so the punchier 3.5-litre V6 is a welcome change for the RX 300. Significantly, it does a lot to improve the character of the car.

It now feels light-footed during take-off, and instils remarkable confidence when overtaking. The sweet aural display when the throttle opens gives the car a nice sporty feel, too, while the reworked gearbox and steering have sharpened the vehicle's dynamics.

A fresh face to go along with the new engine would have been nice, not least because it might have given owners of the more powerful RX 350 something to crow about.

Nevertheless, the bigger engine helps to make the RX more Lexus-like than before, simply because the added grunt means having to tread less heavily on the throttle when you're simply ambling along, and that in turn improves the refinement no end, bringing it to a level for which the Lexus brand is famed.

PLUSES

Punchy new engine, improved gearbox and overall refinement

MINUSES

Unchanged exterior and interior styling

VERDICT

Better to drive than before, but the RX needs a fresh look to complement the newfound vigour

NEED TO KNOW

Model Lexus RX 350 (A)
Engine Type 3456cc 24V V6
Max Power 272bhp at 6200rpm
Max Torque 342Nm at 4700rpm
Gearbox 5-speed automatic
Top speed 205km/h (estimated)
0-100km/h 7.8 seconds (estimated)
Price $175,888 with COE
Warranty 3 years / 100,000km
Contact Borneo Motors Pte Ltd, 6749-3288

SIMILAR CARS WE HAVE DRIVEN

BMW X5 3.0 (A), $256,000 with COE
Livelier and more fun to drive than the RX 350, the BMW has a less speciaous interior. The Lexus provides better comfort in terms of cabin quietness and plushness. The seven-year old X5 was recently facelifted, but it?s starting to feel dated compared to its German peers.

Mercedes-Benz ML 350 (A), $225,888 with COE
The all-new M-Class was launched about a year ago. It looks handsomer and drives better than before, and you can expect improved refinement and equipment levels, too. However, the RX 350 still has the upper hand when it comes to sheer value for money.