Lexus RX450h
The outgoing RX was one of my favourite 4x4s. Not because it was a great off-roader
or a great drivers’ car, it was neither. But because for comfort and
refinement it was unrivalled in its class, it was fast (and relatively economical),
it oozed quality and it was choc full of gadgets designed to make driving
easier. There’s no attempt to persuade punters of a need to climb mountains
or outgun a Porsche.
The big news is, thanks to its hybrid power technology, this big 4x4 is more
economical and kinder to the environment than many small hatches. Furthermore,
according to Lexus both performance and handling are significantly improved
in the new RX. Sounds too good to be true?
At first sight the general shape hasn’t changed much. If anything, it
looks more aerodynamic and the cuts and creases, especially round the nose
are sharper. After opening the door I feel reassured, the quality and sense
of luxury are immediately evident. The leather seats are armchair comfortable,
the dash and controls are an object lesson in design and quality and the cabin
is stuffed with all mod-cons, especially in our top of the range SE-L Premier.
At low speeds the RX operates on electric motors making it eerily quiet but
even after the 3.5 V8 kicks in it’s extremely hushed with excellent levels
of refinement, sound-proofing and general cosseting from the harsh outside
world.
Lexus have focussed a lot of energy into improving the drive. The steering
is more direct and better weighted and there’s a new double wishbone
for better handling. Customers can then specify as options either air suspension
or active anti-roll bars, which represent a straight choice between better
ride or a further improved drive. The anti-roll bars are a revelation but even
without them handling and grip are much improved. Ride is probably a little
firmer than of old but it’s still very comfortable.
So now to the headline grabbing bit: 299bhp, 2.2tonnes of car with a 0-62 of
7.8secs but only 45mpg and a CO2 of 148g making it 25% more efficient than
the outgoing RX hybrid. How’s that work? In short, improved aerodynamics,
the two electric motors and their batteries are more efficient, better energy
recovery technology, reduced friction in the drivetrain, a smarter power control
unit and finally, and most importantly, a 3.5 V8 Atkinson Cycle engine. This
type of engine is designed to produce better mpg at the expense of power. The
RX’s electric motors more than compensate for the loss of power so overall
performance is actually improved.
All you need to know is the system works, so in one fell swoop Lexus have not
so much moved the goal posts as moved the pitch. Given this level of fuel economy
and CO2 emissions, anyone looking for a luxury 4x4 would be bonkers not to
give the RX very serious consideration. It drives well, has strong performance,
is very well made and specced so it really is a no brainer.
0-62: 7.8secs
Top speed: 124mph
Mpg(comb): 44.8
CO2: 148g/km
Price: from £41,600
Mazda 3 1.6 TS
As with many things in life, a good car is about balance. Balance between comfort
and handling, quality and cost, speed and economy, space and size – you
get the picture. In recent years, Mazda have developed an uncanny knack of
getting these balances just right – the new Mazda 6 and MX5 epitomise
this. Now, they’ve turned their attention to the 3, the mid-sized hatch
of the range.
The old 3 was a good car and a great drive, not surprising given it shared
its underpinnings with the current Ford Focus. Mazda staff are probably sick
of this connection being constantly referred to but it is important. The new
3 still uses the same chassis but what they’ve done is augmented it even
further to produce a drive that’s the equal of any in the class whilst
delivering a degree of comfort and refinement that surpasses its competition.
To explain, the better the chassis is, the less reliant on a firm suspension
is the handling, which allows the suspension to be tuned for greater comfort
and refinement without sacrificing handling.
Grip is excellent and the front wheels put the power down with minimal fuss
and without affecting the steering, which is sharp and precise. But it’s
the ride that’s the pleasant surprise. The new 3 has a level of ride
comfort you have no right to expect from a medium sized hatch that drives so
well – it takes bumps and ridges in its stride and it’s quiet and
refined too.
The 1.6 petrol engine in our car was pleasantly feisty, especially when liberally
revved. Off the mark it feels faster than the figures suggest and once moving
performance is more than adequate. Fuel economy’s good too and it’s
sweet and refined as is the 5 speed manual gearbox. By all accounts the 1.6
diesel is a real cracker so if diesel’s your thing you have a viable
alternative.
This is a Mazda so it’s well put together, inside and out, and you’re
highly unlikely to have reliability issues. The styling is crisp and sharp
externally and the interior’s pretty snazzy too, with a good quality
finish and all controls sensibly laid out and easy to use. Standard spec list
is good with no obvious omissions but the TS2 has just about everything you’d
want. Driving position is good and the seats are comfortable with plenty of
scope for adjusting.
All told a great car at a good price that’ll satisfy both keen drivers
and those looking for something that’s also practical, comfortable and
keenly priced.
0-62: 12.2secs
Top speed: 114mph
Mpg(comb): 44.8
CO2: 149g/km
Price: from £13,500
MG TF LE500
The second coming of the TF has proved far more successful than many would
have imagined. The key to this success, apart from the buying public’s
nostalgic fondness for this once great British marque, has been Shanghai Automotive’s
(the Chinese motor company that now owns MG) shrewd management of the situation
and the way in which they have re-engineered and marketed the relaunched TF.
The TF is still built in Longbridge, albeit from parts manufactured in China,
so it’s still technically British but without the associated production
costs. Though there will be a new model at some point it’s years distant,
so attention has been focussed on a major reworking of what was always a fun,
rewarding little sports car to bring it as up to date as possible.
To look at only the nose has really changed. The TF was always a tidy looker
so an up date is just fine - a new grille, new headlights, new air intakes
and bigger alloys. The flat orange paint-job and black wheels is particularly
impressive. In the cabin a smart new piano black fascia and snazzy new dials
give the dash a spruce-up. Spec levels on the LE500 are good with leather,
air-con, iPod connectivity and hard-top as standard.
The 1.8 engine has been upgraded to meet EU4 regs and power output is now 135bhp.
Whilst this figure and a 0-62 time of about 8secs may not set the world alight,
the fact is the 1.8 is a lively, plucky and characterful engine with a great
sound and it produces a far more exhilarating drive than many more powerful
motors. The diminutive size and mid-engined layout undoubtedly help too.
MG has also tweaked the handling, which was always a strong suit thanks to
the aforementioned size and layout. The all-round wishbone suspension now has
uprated shocks, brakes are now vented and the steering is nicely weighted with
plenty of feedback. The result is loads of grip, sweetly balanced handling
and a very satisfying drive. Ride is decent too.
Whilst the cabin’s well specced and reasonably comfortable for a two-seater
there’s no escaping the fact that it’s small by modern standards,
which compromises the driving position, and the switchgear is getting on despite
the new fascia and dials. These would have required massive investment to improve
but MG have decided to focus more on boosting driver appeal across all models
and then tailoring each variant to market niches. The LE500 has the top spec
and exclusivity, the 135 offers fun on a budget (from £11k with the scrappage
scheme) or there’s a focus on performance in the 85th Anniversary version,
replete with Bilstein suspension, Eibach anti-roll system and assorted other
tweaks.
The TF may not be cutting edge but it’s still utterly beguiling and you
do get an awful lot of fun for your money. With a price tag of only £13,500
(or £11,500 after scrappage discount) for the 135 variant you won’t
get a cheaper, more enjoyable, wind-in-the-hair drive.
0-62: 8.2secs
Top speed: 124mph
Mpg(comb): 35.8
CO2: 185g/km
Price: £16,055 (LE500)
Chevrolet Cruze 2.0 VCDi LT
Chevrolet is a glamorous name, conjuring up images of muscle bound Corvettes
and Camaros, but in the UK General Motors’ biggest selling (and therefore
most financially secure) brand has, as the budget range in the stable, been
seen as the poor relation. This is unfair as they’re solid, decent cars
and the situation is not helped by being the butt of jokes on Top Gear. That’s
about to change.
The Cruze is the first car in the Chevrolet range that’s been designed
and built entirely under GM ownership. None of its constituent parts are hand-me-downs
from either Daewoo (which GM bought in 2005) or any other GM brand. Having
been given a clean sheet of paper and access to some cutting edge technology
from GM, the Cruze’s designers have had a level playing field on which
to compete, albeit within the constraints of Chevrolet’s role as the
value-for-money offering.
It’s off to a good start. The platform on which it’s based is the
next generation Astra, which is a quantum leap forward from its predecessor
the Lacetti. It’s extremely rigid and helps give the Cruze safe, predictable
and secure handling with good levels of grip. This and the quick and direct
steering means you’ll actually enjoy throwing it through bends. That
said the suspension set-up is biased more towards comfort than agility so ride
is good with bumps and potholes easily dealt with.
The 2.0 diesel in our car is bang up to date with variable valve timing and
common rail injection and puts out a very respectable 150bhp with strong performance
both off the mark and through the gears. It’s pretty quiet and refined
too given that it’s intended for the budget end of the market and endows
the Cruze with healthy performance. It’s probably the pick of the bunch
but the petrols aren’t bad either and probably represent better vfm.
The other area where there’s been a complete transformation is the general
air of quality. Gone are poor plastics, cheap looking switchgear and dated
design. The Cruze is sleek, well thought out and surprisingly well made given
its starting price of £11,995. The dash is clear, controls are well positioned
and the cool blue glow of the dials is a classy touch. The cabin is spacious
and pleasantly refined and it’s also well appointed – the LS has
air-con, ESP, 6 airbags, 16” alloys and parking sensors. The only downside
is, for now at least, the Cruze comes as a saloon only – the hatchback
will arrive next year.
If this is a sign of things to come from Chevrolet then Top Gear are going
to have to find a new fall-guy – the joke’s about to ring hollow.
0-62: 8.7secs
Top speed: 130mph
Mpg(comb): 50.4
CO2: 149g/km
Price: from £15,195
Thanks to:
Lexus Cardiff, Hadfield Rd, Cardiff (029 2034 8500)
Victoria Park Mazda, Hadfield Road (029 2038 7461)
MG Cardiff, Penarth Road, Cardiff (029 2022 3100)
Easy Drivers