One of the fewer things that Russia and North America have in common is that they enjoy stately cars.

So it is that the Lexus RX has its strongest sales markets there and would also have had it in the latest edition.

Would have.

Because of the embargo, several thousand copies to Moscow are no longer available, so the sales company responsible for Europe is more modest and expects 12,000 units in the coming year.

In view of the qualities experienced on a first test drive, this is an undervalued commitment to the niche, Japanese luxury brands traditionally have a hard time in this country.

But don't give up.

Holger Apple

Editor in business, responsible for "Technology and Motor".

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The RX, which is now in its fifth generation, is a boldly drawn SUV of remarkable solidity, designed and furnished with rather conservative ingredients without guesswork and that penchant for durable workmanship that is also in the genes of the parent company Toyota, which is also a few price ranges lower.

The front seats, which are not naturally lavishly cut and comfortable for Japanese cars, are striking.

The equipment is rich and makes you sit up and take notice in some places.

There is a real head-up display in which, when touched, the steering wheel buttons appear, allowing operation without lowering your eyes.

A heart for cyclists

The rear axle steers up to 4 degrees, which benefits dynamics and manoeuvrability.

If you enjoy the concert hall, you can choose up to 21 loudspeakers.

In terms of safety, the standard on board today and one more innovation.

If an occupant who is determined to get out fails to see a bicycle approaching from behind, the door will not open.

Electric door opener and outdoor camera enter into an accident-preventing connection.

The new RX is 4.89 meters long compared to its predecessor, a touch wider, the wheelbase has increased slightly.

It crouches closer to the asphalt, sways little because of the more sophisticated chassis design, which encourages the developers to compare it with a cheetah that sprints powerfully from every pore while keeping its head stoically calm and straight.

Electrical support during propulsion

Well, how wild the RX doesn't go, but it's pretty neat.

Only four-cylinder petrol engines are used as drives, even in America, which would have gone wrong in terms of sales recently.

After all, the small engines have a relatively large displacement, 2.5 or 2.4 liters, and they don't sound hoarse.

In any case, electrical support is required for propulsion and abstinence, and there are three variants to choose from.

350h, 450h+ or 500h means 250, 309 or 371 system hp.

All are at least 200 km/h fast, the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 6.2 to 7.9 seconds.

The 500 will do best in the United States, and the 450 in Europe because it's the first plug-in hybrid in the lineup, and therefore one with a tax incentive.

Its 18.1 kWh battery is sufficient for 65 kilometers of electric driving according to the standard, which it covers as gently as usual.

Perhaps the new six-speed automatic transmission, which is a true, not rubber-band, CVT, speaks in favor of the big, turbo-hybrid-carrying machine.

They all have all-wheel drive, also obtained from electric assistance, that's just the way it is in modern SUVs that don't really strive for deep mudders.

The RX, which we think is the most attractive so far, fits better on the boulevard anyway, and it should drive up there just in time for Christmas.

The prices, which are looking for their point between inflation and competitive pressure, are available in October at the start of the order, the previous RX picked up speed by 65,000 euros.