RX Time

It comes about a few times a lifetime – for some people more, for some people less. It’s that big decision – buying a car. It sits up there with buying a house or apartment (although not as expensive) and buying a wallet or purse (it’s with you every day). Phones, whether it’s the latest iphone 5, 6 or 7, come and go, but, for us cars are a big decision. Buying a car is your safety and exterior to the world. It is also your status symbol, and for us we were looking for something that reflects a sense of accomplishment and that was becoming of a new lifestyle.  When you live in places like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, or many of the other Gulf States, cars become a critical part of the active life-style led by many.

So, it was about our time to go down this route – which led us to the test drive –an exciting proposition – and the question of which car to go for fell upon us, and almost without thinking we found ourselves in a 2013 Lexus RX.  There are two- the RX 350 and Rx 450h. The new Lexus RX 450 was in the running for us. It has all the features we were looking for to fulfil our lifestyle needs. The RX feels impeccably smooth on the road and with the option of two engine types; the 3.5 L petrol and the hybrid version, the RX offers high level of performance that is fuel-efficient while at the same time it's supremely smooth and the quiet drive provides the you with an extremely refined experience.  Most people don’t know that RX 450h has two power sources (well, we didn’t anyway): the 3.5-litre V-6 petrol engine plus the electric engine which give it a more powerful performance with a total system output of 295-horsepower.  It also looks and feels “the business” - there is no substitute.

Inside, it is the luxury that we have always wanted. The thing you love about the Lexus is that everything is intuitive, where you expect it to be.   Its made for everyone, simple yet fully equipped.  It’s almost built for you with options on the steering wheel so you can keep focused on the road.

There is a comprehensive list of comfort and convenience features. The 2013 RX comes with perfect 10-way powered semi aniline comfortable leather seats, USB connectivity; HDD navigation, remote keyless entry near your hand. So there’s no extra searching for the air condition, as well as Lexus’s world renowned Mark Levinson premium 15-speaker surround sound systems and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Forget Beats by Dre – this is refined tunes played to perfection.

The 3.5L engine, but it feels stronger. In our old M Class, it was similar, but this feels more powerful, safer even. And we reckon it’s one of the best 4x4s in its class, because for what it is, it should be more expensive. It’s just right for the family of 4 or 5, but equally stylish for the executive on the road.

Transmission is smooth and it goes between shifts cleanly, just as we move up for the Dubai – Abu Dhabi journey. We didn’t go off-road, but we’re not off roaders.  It doesn’t feel like that type of car. It’s a car for the road to be proud in. It’s got blue tooth for hands free as well as the audio jack for more music.

Safety is at the top of this car’s list with the Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control which uses millimetre-wave radar to measure and help maintain a pre-set following distance from a vehicle traveling directly ahead. Very cool and very safe.

I think we’ll be spending a lot of time in the Lexus RX 450 h. Yes, we’ve ordered – and can’t wait. Get down to Al Futtaim for a test drive; you’ll be  as obsessed as we are!

Lexus