The newly introduced Lexus RX has already earned its first badge of honour. The 2016 Lexus RX was recently named the top luxury SUV in the Kelley Blue Book Best Buy awards. The Kelley Blue Book Best Buy awards uses “comparative market pricing, cost-to-own information, generational consumer reviews and ratings and, of course, expert evaluations based on extensive driving experiences” to choose the eventual winners.

The Lexus RX is available with a 3.5-liter, V-6 petrol engine mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

With an interior space optimized for five passengers, the new RX’s lowered rear floor section helps provide seating position comparable to that of the rear-seat passengers in the flagship Lexus LS luxury sedan. New for this model year is the available Touchless Power Back Door, a Lexus first, which allows users to open the rear hatch by placing a hand near the Lexus emblem.

Lexus designers and engineers have given a great deal of consideration to the layout of the redesigned centre console of the RX. Based upon the concept of Lexus’s Human Machine Interface (HMI) that allows the driver to concentrate on the road ahead with minimal distraction, a feature incorporated into the design of the new-look instrument panel is a large colour Heads-Up Display (HUD) system. The redesigned instrument cluster offers the driver instantaneous information with a quick glance at its large and easy-to-read gauge faces.

The RX utilises a front-strut and rear double-wishbone suspension system that has seen major improvements engineered to provide better steering response and ride comfort, which the RX has long been known for. A premium equipment option, Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) adjusts the damping force according to road conditions and irregularities.

The available Drive Mode Select system allows the driver to choose between distinct drive settings depending upon vehicle model and equipment. The ECO mode moderates engine power output, throttle response and the climate control system for increased fuel efficiency. “NORMAL” provides an even balance between engine performance and fuel economy. In “SPORT,” the driver is treated to more performance through enhanced throttle response and improved acceleration while sharpening the feel of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. The “SPORT S” setting (available with vehicles equipped with the Adaptive Variable Suspension system) offers even a higher level of performance with aggressive throttle mapping and quicker drivetrain response.

RX offers an eight-inch and 12.3-inch navigation system. The available eight-inch high-definition Thin Film Transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display features a high level of contrasting clarity as well as minimal colour variation when viewed at different angles from either the driver or the front passenger seat. The available rear seat entertainment system now includes 11.6-inch dual screens affixed to the back of the front headrests with tilt mechanism enabling the rear passengers to adjust the viewing angle between 0 and 50 degrees.

Lexus has always stressed safety in all of its vehicles, so it should come as no surprise that the new RX has the latest safety innovations to protect its occupants. The introduction of the breakthrough Lexus Safety System+ helps the new RX avoid or mitigate collisions across a wide range of vehicle speeds under many different conditions. The Lexus Safety System+ includes the Pre-Collision System (PCS); Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC); Lane Keeping Assist (LKA); Automatic High Beam (AHB)/Adaptive High-beam System (AHS) to mention a few.

The 2016 RX F SPORT model elevates the sporty image of the RX to an entirely new level. Available across the entire RX line, F SPORT models include a number of special visual and performance features that set them apart from other versions. The first thing the driver will notice is the distinctive shape of the spindle grille and the aluminium wheel design, in addition to the exclusive instrumentation cluster that consists of an 8-inch Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) that’s characterized by a large, easy-to-read circular gauge that artistically combines a tachometer and a digital speed indicator.

The interior of the RX F SPORT has been styled to match the vehicle’s sporty disposition. You’ll find highly supportive quilted seats that are exclusive to the F SPORT, including exclusive interior colour choices such as White and Dark Rose. The exterior features an exclusive black-out mesh grille, lower spoiler section and satin-finish chrome-plated lower protector with black side mirrors to match the grille. The vehicle’s new front fascia design accentuates a low centre of gravity, as does the new satin-finish chrome plated lower bumper section at the rear of the vehicle. Exclusive multi-spoke 20-inch aluminium alloy wheels and subtle but distinctive F SPORT badging round out its expressive exterior.

In Oman every Lexus vehicle comes with special benefits and privileges such as 6 years unlimited extended mileage protection and Lexus Prestige Club Card that offers 24 hours on-road assistance from AAA.