Lexus RX (2009) spy shots

Proof if ever it is needed that Infiniti are 6 years too late in entering the UK. Big petrol engines only and no badge makes for no sales and guaranteed losses! The RX here is getting a lot of stick by those who don't get what it is about - a limousine(?) with the practicality of an estate car that is comfortable, relaxing and EASY to own and drive. It has no pretention (unlike Audi) of being a sports car. Those who complain of its size obviously enjoy flying economy class. As a petrol RX owner of 4 years I can categorically state I am no housewife and hate shopping, rather it has been the most "complete" car in my garage with the one Achilles heel of fuel range - which the hybrid attempts to address. My RX is used as a mobile kitchen showroom, a posh Transit van if you will, hence the need for size and air suspension (granite and door samples are extremely heavy!). Ltae at night and shattered after a long day it comes into its' own and like a faithful dog it finds its' own way home and (unlike my A4 cabriolet - now that's a REAL rich housewife's dream car) never lets me down! The biggest strength of the RX? It's not a BMW.......

To produce such big and heavy hybrids misses the point, to my point of view. All I can see behind it is the effort to reduce the official fuel consumption of the vehicle and of course to sell it to people who'd like to think environmental but do not know things very well. A hybrid makes sense only if it's small and if it's aimed for urban commute and relatively small distances. A friend of mine owns this big hybrid Lexus SUV and travels big distances on the highway. He's very disappointed at the fuel consumption which is far higher than the claimed official. And, to my big laugh, he got stuck in a slightly muddy field where a Terios would have pass without noticing.