Driving the Lexus RX350 F Sport all-wheel-drive at $95,513, around $108,000 drive-away.

There’s some newer European, Japanese and Korean luxury SUVs in the market but while this current RX has been around for a while its overriding quality is a silky smooth and quiet performance. It’s a little old worldly but very satisfying as a daily driver.

A supremely comfortable SUV that may not be as hard edged as some of the newer competition, but owners tell me they love its soft nature. The F Sport tag on this RX model is interesting, the model featuring some sporty body enhancements front and rear, larger 20-inch alloy wheel, front sport seats and semi digital instrumentation.

The Lexus bold spindle grille is divisive for many buyers, for some too extreme and in the new model due late this year it will be tamed down and more integrated with the body. The 3.5-litre V6 engine and 8-speed automatic very satisfying but can get a little thirsty on a harder throttle.

The F Sport tag also gives you an adaptive electronic suspension with variable sport damping and a special electronic steering tune. Also wireless smartphone charging, a surround scan camera, panoramic sunroof, a fabulous 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system and high-quality LED headlights with blade scan technology.

I’m David Berthon

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