In fact, the RX heads the sales of Lexus in the US and, in the process, outperforms its most direct European competitors two to one.
It also enjoys the honour of being the vehicle with the highest customer satisfaction rating ever recorded in the JD Power quality survey.
With an 'everything included' philosophy, a generous helping of standard equipment is a given if you're shopping for a Lexus, but the RX350 Special Edition really does pull out all the stops.
According to Justin Ryan, the general manager of Lexus South Africa, "The RX350 Limited Edition offers exactly the blend of virtues and specification that most buyers of this car will be looking for.
"In addition, the recent styling revisions, most notably the more assertive frontal treatment and dynamic, new 19" alloy wheels make a bold statement and give the RX a sportier persona."
On top of the already well-endowed EX model, the new Special Edition has adaptive front lighting system (AFS) for enhanced night time vi-sibility, especially on winding roads and a dual-swivel adaptive front lighting system (AFS) in conjunction with high intensity discharge (HID) Xenon headlamps that pivots the left headlamp up to 15° and the right headlamp up to 10°, helping to illuminate more of the road through turns. Headlamp washers are standard.
The SUV also has an electronically adjustable steering column and side mirrors - both now with a memory function.
A side monitor system is based on a miniature camera incorporated into the passenger door mirror, which transmits video images to the vehicle's central display. The camera will continue to work even if the mirrors are folded back when negotiating a narrow entrance. The side monitor is activated by a control button on the steering wheel.
A silky blonde bamboo wood trim on the steering wheel, doors, instrument panel and cup holder provides the perfect counterpoint to the soft, jet black leather on all the upholstered surfaces including the console box.
A heads-up display projects simple navigation directions, audio information and vehicle speed onto the front windscreen, so the driver can spend more time focused on the road ahead. It includes a distance countdown and an animated arrow that guides the diver intuitively through turns.
DETAILS
The Lexus RX Range has two engine options (3,5 V6 and Hybrid Electric) and three models in the line-up: RX 350 EX, RX 350 Special Edition and RX 450 SE.
The 3,5 V6 engine's vital statistics are: 204kW at 6 200rpm and 346Nm at 4 700rpm with the 0 to 100km/h dash completed in 8sec. The published average fuel consumption is 10,6-litres per 100km.
The details of the Hybrid are: 220kW total system output for 3,5 V6 petrol engine with two high-output electric motors and 0 to 100km/h takes 7,8sec with the average claimed fuel consumption 6,3-litres per 100km.
Pricing and warranty details are: RX 350 EX - R684 200; RX 350 Special Edition - R724 000 and RX 450h SE - R869 000.
All Lexus RX models are covered by a four year or 100 000km warranty and service plan (Lexus Distance Plan Plus for the RX 350 models and Lexus Distance Plan Complete for the RX 450h).
View photo gallery.
The blonde bamboo wood trim on the door.
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Klein-Karoo news'
