Lexus RX SUV - Practicality & boot space
For a luxury SUV of this size, the Lexus RX’s boot is rather small
One of our main gripes with the old Lexus RX was the fact it didn’t offer as much space as rivals; while the new car is slightly larger to counteract this problem, there are still roomier options available, such as the Land Rover Discovery.
Lexus RX SUV interior space & storage
A longer wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels) means the new Lexus RX offers slightly greater legroom in the rear than the car it replaces. Headroom is good too; the RX’s boxy shape allows taller passengers to sit upright in the back without any complaints, despite a design trick which gives the appearance of a sloping roof. Top-spec Takumi models also get heated and electrically-operated rear seats, allowing those in the back to recline as if in a business-class airline seat. We’d also recommend the panoramic roof, as the rear compartment can feel somewhat dark without it.
It’s clear Lexus has prioritised luxury over practicality in some spots, however, with a large space near the central screen that could have been utilised for another storage cubby. Meanwhile, the central console has a neat split-opening lid, but isn’t as deep as found in some more utilitarian rivals.
Boot space
Measuring 461 litres in capacity, the Lexus RX’s boot is rather small for such a large SUV. To put this in context, a plug-in hybrid BMW X5 has a 500+ litre boot, while the Mercedes GLE provides a cavernous 690 litres of load space. On the plus side, the RX’s load bay should be enough to swallow most pushchairs or a handful of suitcases, plus it doesn’t shrink when opting for the plug-in hybrid model.
Towing
Hybrid models haven’t always been very well suited to towing, but the Lexus RX posts some respectable figures. The 350h, 450h+ and 500h are all rated to tow a 2,000kg braked trailer (750kg unbraked), making it possible to haul a large caravan or sizeable trailer with a load on it. While this still isn’t close to the 3,500kg limit of a diesel Land Rover Discovery, two tonnes should be plenty for the majority of drivers.
