Lexus RX vs Volvo XC90 vs Audi Q7: Who Brings Home The Goods In The Premium SUV Market?

At the big end of the premium SUV market here’s the heat. Three fresh-faced bar-raisers trade drivetrains, design schools and tech solutions in their heartland territory: the city...

Electric windows. Nothing new. But the ones on the latest Lexus RX450h are astonishingly quiet, zipping up and down with silk-like smoothness as if someone has put the audio on mute. It’s surprisingly impressive, to the point that it makes you stop to think: if the engineers put this much effort into something that some owners might never even notice, then how seriously must they have taken the rest of this car? It’s a thought that the typical ‘Lexus lowing’ propagated by the hybrid system’s Continuously Variable Transmission almost immediately undermines. But it’s also a thought that sticks in the back of your brain, like Spiderman in a glue factory.

Even so, the first thing to strike you about the new RX450h is that Toyota/Lexus doesn’t seem to have moved the mechanical game on since it first introduced the hybrid concept with the original Prius; the original protagonists are apparently stuck in the pre plug-in era, which in RX terms means a seemingly profligate 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol combined with a tiny battery pack that delivers electric running at no more than a mile at a time. Although, actually, that’s a lie, because the first thing that really strikes you about the new RX is the way it looks.
 

cidflekken - 9/2/2016 1:11:39 PM

+3 Boost

I'd probably take anything in this segment over the Lexus. Surprised it came out on top, but this was a UK publication and I rarely agree with the results from the UK (nothing against them, I just rarely agree).

USNA1999 - 9/2/2016 1:37:09 PM

+4 Boost

Hybrids? Lets do a comparison on vehicles people actually buy.
All 3 are great vehicles but I prefer the looks of the XC90.

david999 - 9/2/2016 1:42:33 PM

+1 Boost

Not surprising. Another well known reviewer online (WOW Cars)pitted the Lexus RX up against the Mercedes GLE and BMW X5 and guess which came out on top? Yep, the Lexus. I think some credit should be given to the engineers over at Lexus for continuously creating a great product.

cidflekken - 9/2/2016 5:32:26 PM

+4 Boost

Most other reviews I've seen of the RX would dispute the "great product" claim, and not because of its design, which is hideous inside and out.

BlackisBack - 9/2/2016 2:36:13 PM

+2 Boost

The Lexus design does make those two look like tyhe box the Lexus comes in.
Why compare it to the much larger 7-passenger Q7 anyway?
BD

xjug1987a - 9/2/2016 5:01:26 PM

0 Boost

Interesting article. I like the technology of the Lexus but the style of the Volvo. The Audi is boring to look at and quite forgettable, though I hear the interior is quite impressive. Still, I've always found Japanese cars in general to be quite souless appliances but the latest Lexus cars are all hideous IMO and I couldn't stand looking at it in the driveway. The Rav4-Lexus version is a mini me and even worse... I don't know who likes this design but I cant imagine anyone voting for Hitlary the megalomaniac - criminal either. The Volvo just looks fantastic with an extremely first rate interior. Make mine Black with the Blonde interior.

valhallakey - 9/2/2016 7:31:33 PM

+1 Boost

Agree with your choice, the Volvo is the winner in my book. Not so sure on the politics :)

MDarringer - 9/3/2016 10:11:22 AM

+1 Boost

I'd go with the RX. The Volvo is just too rough in NVH for the price. The Audi is Oldsmobile dull. The RX is a bit garish but it's as reliable as a Camry.

knowitall1985 - 9/3/2016 3:13:41 PM

+3 Boost

Lexus has been the sales leader since 1999, The latest version is the best RX ever. Good luck beating the sales of this SUV.....

USNA1999 - 9/3/2016 3:21:37 PM

+3 Boost

The RX better be the best ever, its 80% of the brand's sales. The RX is the only reason it still relevant.

knowitall1985 - 9/5/2016 5:04:01 PM

+2 Boost

Wrong USDUNBASS it's 30%.....