Test drive Lexus LX 1996 - 1997 SUV

Giantomania

Almost all the latest models of SUVs in comfort are practically not inferior to cars. The owner of such a machine is freely located at the wheel, does not blush with a green traffic light, easily leaving, and a high landing only adds confidence. It is no wonder that consumers began to offer super comfortable all -wheel drive cars, because the desire to stand out inherent in many people, especially rich.

A classic example is the English Range Rover. Similar cars began to appear in America. In October of this year, the public was presented by Ford Expeased, a nine -seater enormous. The next summer, the appearance of Lincoln Navigator is expected to be more than 5 meters long. (We have not driven these cars yet, so we cannot evaluate their comfort.) The Japanese, of course, immediately responded to another newfangled trend. The Toyota USA department selling cars under the Lexus brand was very useful for the recently debuted in Europe the most sophisticated version of Toyota Land Cruiser 80.

The machine for the American market was increased by the smoothness of the course, and a variety of plastic linings appeared that visually twist the body. So the Lexus LX 450, released in January of this year, became another non -American car of the last American fashion. We managed to get to know each other better.

The acquaintance began, as usual, with a close examination. I liked the beautiful, solid and discreet appearance, it is immediately clear - a powerful and expensive car (in the USA it costs $ 48450, in Russia completely custom -made - $ 85,000). We open the doors, inside beauty and spaciousness. Beautiful, because there are a lot of light skin and different buttons, and spacious, because 8 places. At least the manufacturer declares this, it seemed to us that it would be difficult to place on the seats of the third row.

But more on this, but for now we get behind the wheel. A chic chair that seems to be adjusted under the most non -standard figure with many different buttons and levers. The slope of the steering wheel is also regulated in large limits. Having settled comfortably, we begin to deal with everything else. The lever of an automatic 4-speed gearbox (LX 450 is equipped only with automatic) is not in American-American on the floor. To the right of it, the lever of switching the transmission modes, to the right - two buttons that change the dynamic characteristics of the car. The central console has a terrible number of different -caliber buttons, head control and climate. It turned out to be surprisingly easy to understand them, all the icons are very intelligible. There are three steering wheel switches: one controls the cruise control, the other by turn signals and light, and the third - wipers. The latter seemed somewhat overloaded.

Now let's try to introduce ourselves to passengers. In the right front seat is very spacious, the legs for the legs will be the longest. On the seats of the middle row, even three will not be crowded, and the two passengers will be placed simply in Korolevsky. It’s not so easy to get to the third row: if you throw forward the backs of the seats of the second, there is such a narrow gap that only children can climb into it without problems. The seats of the second row, however, can be folded completely - the passage will be released wider, but you still have to bend at the entrance to the salon. If your baggage is not only a small suitcase and a couple of tennis missiles, the last seats will have to be folded. We fold, throw them to the side and fix them with special straps, now the volume of the trunk has become very impressive. By the way, the fifth door consists of two parts, and the back of the lower forms a very convenient loading platform. Only now it is difficult to imagine the owner of such a machine, stuffing a refrigerator or seedlings with seedlings in Lexus.

Let's hit the road. We sit down, with a pleasant sound, the doors slam, the selector to position D, went. Yes, moving on this machine, it seems impossible to get tired, a continuous bliss. A soft but not motionless suspension smoothes most of the pardon, responding to them only with a slight swaying. A very convenient steering wheel, whose hydraulic wrap has a minimum reactive effect in the entire range. By the way, this, oddly enough, liked it: in a car with this level of comfort, a cotton steering wheel is perceived for granted. Great visibility is provided by huge external mirrors, narrow front racks and, of course, high planting. A powerful 4.5 liter engine provides good dynamics, which allows you to look back and on the sides too often. Although, as it seemed to us, the programs switch for a long time, but, on the other hand, this adds smoothness during acceleration. You can also brake very smoothly, a soft informative pedal allows you to accurately dose a slowdown without triggering ABS. All Odink alone, the driver sits (more precisely, fell apart), leaning on the armrests, relaxed hands on the steering wheel, smooth swaying, quiet pleasant music, the heat remained overboard. I do not want to leave this oasis.

But it all ends, and we part with the Lexus LX 450. Maybe the future owner will test the off -roads of this luxurious car, but we absolutely did not want to do this. And the point is not in the spare tan, which you will cling to each tubercle, and is not afraid to tear the plastic overlays, just LX 450 - rather, a city car. Do not forget to put on a tie.

Grigory Kuznetsov
 
 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 6/2002]