Cars coming in as CBUs (Completely Built Units) from outside India attract several negatives, such as steep taxes and a certain waiting period for customers. However, there is one significant positive – there is no need to set up a production line. Because of that, global products can land in India much faster. That is precisely the case with the refreshed Lexus RX. Unveiled in May this year, it has already arrived on our shores. Unlike the pre-facelift model, this one is just available in one variant – the 450hL. Price? That’s Rs 99 lakh (ex-showroom).

We have had the 450h since 2017. What does ‘L’ mean? That could stand for Large or Long. Whatever it is, the updated RX comes in a three-row form. Depending on how big the passengers are, the RX has space for seven. In some markets, Lexus also offers captain seats for the second row. For a fee, it should do so in India too. Eagle-eyed industry followers might have noticed another thing – the price. Even in its larger iteration, it costs at least Rs 30 lakh less than the Luxury and FSport variants we had earlier.

In terms of design, the refreshed Lexus RX features new front and rear bumpers, sleeker LED-powered headlamps, reprofiled taillamps, different filling for the spindle grille and new alloy wheels. As for the list of features, there’s a panoramic electric moonroof, two-zone climate control, powered-adjustable steering and front seats, wireless mobile charger, a head-up display and hands-free tailgate operation. If all that is not enough, how about these – a new touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ten airbags, lane departure alert, parking assist, cruise control and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound system.

Spearheading the behind-the-scenes stuff is a hybrid power-plant, made of a 3.5-litre V6 petrol mill and two electric motors. All on its own, the internal combustion engine produces 259hp. As far as the electric motors are concerned, the front one generates 165hp and the rear one 67hp. Lexus claims a total system output of 308hp. With the help of a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and electric-AWD (All-Wheel-Drive), the RX 450hL can hit 100kmph from nothing in 7.7 seconds and reach 200kmph at full stretch.

In the same sort of price range as the updated Lexus RX, you can buy a BMW X7 or a Range Rover Sport. Other options such as the Audi Q7, entry- and mid-level variants of the Volvo XC90, Porsche Macan, Mercedes-Benz GLS and the BMW X5 cost at least Rs 10 lakh less.