Ratings: Lexus RX300 F Sport in Malaysia - Makes air suspension feel overrated
Sanjay · Jul 31, 2021 08:00 AM
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This week's WapCar Ratings sees us put the Lexus RX300 F Sport through our instrumented tests. Priced from RM 424,187, this fully-imported (CBU Japan) SUV goes against rivals like the BMW X5 xDrive45e and Volvo XC90 in Malaysia.
Usual disclaimer applies: all materials were taken before MCO, and scores are relative to cars in the RX's segment and not the new-car market as a whole.
Lexus RX300 F Sport: Driving Performance - 32/50, Silky smooth
Lexus RX300 F Sport - Facts and Figures
Engine
2.0-litre, turbo 4-cylinder
Transmission
6-speed AT
Power
235 PS @ 4,800 - 5,600 rpm
Torque
350 Nm @ 1,650 - 4,000 Nm
Weight
2,070 kg
0-100 km/h
8.7 seconds
100-0 km/h
36.3 metres
Although there's the F Sport suffix, don't expect anything that'll light your pants on fire. In fact, the opposite holds true: the engine can feel a little bit cumbersome at times, especially with light throttle input and it sometimes stays in a certain rpm, almost akin to a CVT.
Despite adequate low-end torque and a silky 6-speed automatic transmission, we feel that the RX could've benefitted from a bigger, better engine for added finesse and improved character.
Putting aside performance comments, the RX300 nets back some points with its 'Magic Ride & Handling', as Adrian puts it.
One would expect this F Sport variant (with performance dampers and 20-inch wheels) to be a bit harsh but no, ride quality remains superb.
Also, we'd suggest for you to spring for this range-topping variant - the performance touch lends to better handling and added confidence when tackling corners.
Lexus RX300 F Sport - Driving Performances Breakdown
Engine
Acceleration
3 / 5
In-gear Acceleration
3 / 5
Throttle Response
3 / 5
Transmission
Shift Logic
2 / 3
Smoothness
4 / 5
Sport/Manual Mode
3 / 3
Steering
Accuracy
1.5 / 3
Response
1.5 / 3
Weight & Feel
2 / 3
Braking
Distance
2 / 3
Feel
2 / 3
Handling
Chassis Balance
1.5 / 3
Grip
1.5 / 3
Load Reaction
2 / 3
Total
32/50
Lexus RX300 F Sport: Ride Comfort - 41/50, Hard to believe it's not air suspension
Tranquil would be the best word to describe how the RX300 rides. No matter how bad the roads are, at most what one would feel inside is a gentle nudge when going over abnormally-sized potholes.
It's great that Lexus has managed to provide such levels of comfort on non-adaptive, standard dampers.
Lexus RX300 F Sport - Cabin noise
0 km/h (AC off)
42 dB
0 km/h (AC on)
46 dB
60 km/h (AC on)
58 dB
90 km/h (AC on)
62 dB
110 km/h (AC on)
65 dB
It's also one of the quietest cars we've ever tested, thanks to features like all-round double-glazed windows and generous soundproofing on body panels.
Lexus RX300 F Sport - Ride Comfort Breakdown
Sound Proofing
9 / 10
Suspension
8 / 10
Passenger Comfort
8 / 10
Seat Support
4 / 5
Ergonomics
4 / 5
Engine Refinement
8 / 10
Total points
41 / 50 pts
Lexus RX300 F Sport: Quality and Features – 43/50, Japanese refinement at its best
From panel fitment to interior fit and finish, the RX300 scores well.
Lexus RX300 F Sport - Panel Gaps (mm)
Location
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Difference
Bonnet
3.5
2.5
1
Front Fender
3.5
2.5
1
Front to Rear Door
3.5
3.5
0
Rear Door to quarter panel
3.5
3.5
0
Tailgate
3.5
5.5
2
Paint quality is right up there with the best, and our press car's White Nova Glass Flake colour looks great in the sun. If that's not your choice, Lexus Malaysia offers 5 other colours.
Lexus RX300 F Sport - Paint Thickness (µm)
Location
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Front Bonnet
165
Front Fender
167
166
Front Door
158
176
Rear Door
138
174
Rear Quarter Panel
160
168
Tailgate
163
Roof
146
Average paint thickness: 162 µm ±8
Lexus RX300 F Sport - Exterior Material Use
Bonnet
Soundproofing Material
Thin
Struts
Gas
Front Fenders
Soundproofing Material
Yes
Doors
Front Windows
Double-glazed
Rear Windows
Double-glazed
Construction
One-piece
Boot
Opening
Powered
The RX300 is an example of fine Japanese craftmanship, and the interior speaks for itself - we love how almost every touchpoint in the cabin is draped in soft-touch materials.
Lexus RX300 F Sport - Cabin Material Use
Seat
Seat Cover
Leather
Armrest
Armrest Cover
Leather
Dashboard
Upper Section
Leather
Lower Section
Hard Plastic
Front Doors
Upper Section
Soft Plastic
Middle Section
Leather
Lower Section
Leather
Nifty features in the interior include memory steering wheel and driver's seat, which is certainly a nice party trick. Driving position and visibility are spot-on as well.
Key features in the RX's cabin is the cool semi-digital instrument cluster, a floating 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support.
As this is the F Sport variant, it gets some unique niceties as well. Highlights of these are the three-spoke, multi-function steering wheel, as well as 8-way power-adjustable sports front seats.
In addition to 10 airbags, the RX300 comes with Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+), encapsulating these features:
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control w/ Stop and Go (DRCC)
Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
Pre-Collision Assist (PCA)
Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (BSM, RCTA)
Adaptive High Beam (AHB)
And these are not just limited to the priciest of the lot as well - kudos to Lexus Malaysia for extending the full suite of LSS+ to the entire RX range.
Lexus RX300 F Sport - Quality & Feature Breakdown
Exterior
Paint Finish
3 / 4
Panel Gaps
2 / 4
Assembly Quality
2 / 2
Interior
Build Quality
4.5 / 5
Materials Used
4.5 / 5
Features
Safety
9 / 10
ADAS
5 / 5
Luxury
3 / 5
Convenience
5 / 5
Infotainment
5 / 5
Total
43 / 50 pts
Lexus RX300 F Sport: Interior space – 30.5/50, Spacious inside
Comfort is a given, and the RX300 offers plenty of space for those at the back as well.
Even as it is all-wheel drive (AWD), we appreciate how the floor is completely flat at the rear. This means that three-abreast sitting at the back is a relatively comfortable affair as the one sitting in the middle doesn't have to fight for foot space.
There's plenty of space for your gubbins too, as the RX300 offers 8 cupholders and - get this - adjustable door storage bins, which can easily house big bottles of water.
In terms of legroom, the RX300 affords about four tennis balls worth of space, and about 2 tennis balls of headroom.
The handsfree, powered tailgate opens up to 453 litres of bootspace with the rear seats up, which unfortunately is smaller than most of its competition. Lying underneath the boot floor is a space-saver spare tyre.
Lexus RX300 F Sport - Interior Space Breakdown
Front Row
7 / 10
Middle/Back Row
8 / 10
Third Row
0 / 5
Boot Space
2 / 5
Practicality
3 / 5
Storage Space
3.5 / 5
Visibility
3.5 / 5
Storage Flexibility
3 / 5
Total
30 / 50 pts
Lexus RX300 F Sport: Fuel consumption – 13.5/20, Good despite the power
After driving 90.3 kilometres split equally between highways and urban roads, the RX300 yields a fuel efficiency figure of 11 litres/100 km. For the record, the RX300 comes with a 72-litre fuel tank.
Lexus RX300 F Sport - Fuel Consumption Test Breakdown
Fuel Consumption
9 / 15
Eco Mode
2 / 2
Indicator Accuracy
2.5 / 3
Total points
13.5 / 20 pts
Lexus RX300 F Sport: Purchase and cost – 19.5/30, In-between European rivals
The 2020 Lexus RX300 F Sport is priced from RM RM 424,187 (on-the-road, with 50% SST exemption valid until 31-Dec 2021) in Malaysia, putting it somewhere around the middle of the price spectrum against similar competitors.
It's slightly cheaper than the BMW X5 xDrive45e (RM 441k), but pricier than the Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription+, which starts from RM 392k. Both of these hybrid rivals are locally-assembled (CKD).
Lexus RX300 F Sport - Purchase & Cost
Purchase
Car Price
11 / 15
Warranty
4 / 5
Cost
Maintenance
3 / 5
Fuel Cost
3 / 5
Total
21 / 30 pts
Lexus RX300 F Sport: Conclusion – 180.5/250 pts overall
For the money it's a complete package - sharp looks, top-notch build quality, and a complete ADAS suite.
Badge snobs might try to talk you out of it, but know that the 2020 Lexus RX300 F Sport earns a resounding yes by our team if you're looking for a luxury SUV that offers absolute comfort and serenity.
With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.