Initial thoughts after RX4(F-Sport + Takumi pack) Test drive

[GSLV6]

Having driven the new RZ a few weeks ago, I took out the RX4 I am interested in buying today.  It was interesting to make the comparisons with my RX3 F-Sport, and surprisingly, the RX4 didn't have it all its own way!

 

Summary (for those not wanting the detail):

RX4 good points:

• Exceptional ride quality; quieter cabin and smoother, more refined ride than RX3
• Far less steering feel and definitely LESS of a driver's car.  Refinement over driving pleasure was my takeaway thought;
• Better appointed and more luxurious cabin;
• Timeless design will look as fresh in 10 years inside and out as it does now;
• Interior quality a step above RX3 and instrument/button layout offers more choice with touch screen and option to use dials and buttons which is very refreshing in a modern car.  I detest touch screens only for everything and that's done purely for manufacturing cost savings.
• This model had the expensive optional adaptive suspension (two types of adaptive suspension offered...the standard one as used in F Sport and Takumi, and the F-Sport only option of the more advanced adaptive suspension, as it was explained to me).   The best adaptive suspension I've so far tried, all but eliminating small bumps, even in Sport+ mode and almost eliminating body roll.
• Sport+ removes any lag between pressing the right boot on the pedal and acceleration.  It's almost instant
• Both heated and ventilated front seats and this one also gets heated rear seats and window shades
• Better cup holders (yay!)
• phone holder as well as inductive charger
• More advanced lighting (albeit the triple LEDs of the RX3 are still superb)

The not so good bits:

• Surprisingly reduced visibility over the RX3, due mainly to the increased rake of front and back screens giving less vertical viewing height
• Seats a touch firm compared with RX3 F-Sport which I find more comfortable but less supportive (take your pick which you prefer)
• More plastic everywhere from wheel arch trims, to under bonnet
• Reduced effective load space despite the quoted figures, due to increased rake of rear screen
• Less grip (tested on dry roundabout where I provoked all 4 wheels of the RX4 to squeal in protest, yet lacking in any feel through the steering wheel.  The RX3 definitely gripped better and felt like a limpet when tackling the same challenge without tyres giving up grip and with plenty of feel through the wheel as to what the front tyres were doing, but admittedly with slight body roll, not much, but just noticeable.
• Under the bonnet, to save costs, gone is the whole engine cover of the RX3 which included the inverter coolant viewing cover now missing entirely on the RX4

On the whole I have to say I much prefer the RX3 as a drivers car as it is more engaging to drive.  The performance of both is pretty decent and nothing to chose between them although the RX4 in Sport+ mode eliminates the lag you still get with the RX3 in sport mode.  The latter is a bit like turbo lag by comparison (without the turbo).

It's been a difficult decision to make, whether to keep my RX3 or buy the RX4 as both have their good points.  The biggest disappointment with the newer car was the complete lack of driver involvement or feel.  It's as if they've deliberately engineered the car to cocoon the driver, to experience the most refined drive yet at the expense of driving pleasure which requires a switch in your head to be flicked and treat the car as something to be wafted along in, in more luxury than previous models, almost "tut-tutting" if you try to drive it with enthusiasm.  I've little doubt that a small part of this is the OEM tyres themselves which lack grip compared to my favoured Avon ZX7 tyres, so pushing on you're left with less confidence in just where that "let go" point is which could be off putting depending on driving conditions.

Overall, I feel that it is still worth trading up as you soon adapt to the vagaries of something new and different, because for much of the time, the RX does well what it's best at, giving a refined cruising experience over long distances.

The slight loss of rear luggage space is not really an issue with the option to drop one or both rear seats should you need the space, and the loss of some visibility is made up for with a far superior 360 birds eye camera set up.  One thing is very apparent though and that's the new 12 inch screen is dimmer in bright light because it is not shrouded like the older one.  That's an oversight I wish they hadn't made.

The list of advanced safety features is also a big plus, and I like the newer adaptive cruise control and was very impressed with the ride quality of the adaptive suspension.  It gives back something of the compliance with control of my older GS300 which had a magic carpet ride, much welcomed over the more thumpy and stiff passive set up of the older RX3 F Sport. If only they'd paid as much attention to the steering feel!

On the whole, I came away mightily impressed with this 3yr old example, which on the whole takes the good bits from the RX3 and makes them better, and loses some of the not so good bits.  It also had the steel plate mods done which was a plus.

Picking the car up next week and waving goodbye to my trusty RX3 which I shall miss in many ways, but this is my last chance to pick up a low miles example the last of the Vee 6 lumps, which to my mind, are the finest engines ever to come out from the Toyota group.

 

[Spock66]

I've not had a 3rd Gen, but good summary of the 4th Gen F Sport.

19 hours ago, GSLV6 said:

This model had the expensive optional adaptive suspension (two types of adaptive suspension offered...the standard one as used in F Sport and Takumi, and the F-Sport only option of the more advanced adaptive suspension, as it was explained to me).   The best adaptive suspension I've so far tried, all but eliminating small bumps, even in Sport+ mode and almost eliminating body roll.

I believe the option was for Active Stabilisers, in which case you will have a Sunroof instead of the full Panoramic Roof.

[GSLV6]

Yes, mine has a sunroof.  the reason they didn't fit the full panoramic roof was weight.  Apparently it was a shipping restriction.  Cars could be spec'd with panoramic room (domestic market) and active stabilisers (which mine has got) but it took the car over the shipping weight limit based on contracted shipping costs.  That restriction's now lifted so ironically you could spec both now and get it.  Not a technical reason which I initially thought it might have been.