A work-and-play trip to the snowy south puts the safety systems and calm capabilities of this hybrid to the test.
In association with Lexus.
A shoot at the Brown House by Studio LWA offered the perfect excuse for a road trip to Lake Ōhau, and a chance to see how the Lexus RX 450h+ Limited would perform beyond our usual Ōtautahi commute. Around town, we’d already noticed how far we could get on battery power alone, but on this journey the RX’s hybrid system proved just as seamless over longer distances.
I usually make these trips solo, but a drop in temperature and a 90 per cent chance of snow had me convincing my husband, Nick Burrowes, that the week could double as a midwinter escape. There’s something about sharing the journey, especially when it involves snow, silence and a good playlist. With Lexus Safety System+ and all-wheel drive on our side, we settled in with confidence.
The weather came in as predicted. Rain gave way to sleet and by the time we reached Takapō, we’d entered a snow-covered world. The RX 450h+ adapted with quiet composure. Its electric all-wheel-drive engaged smoothly, maintaining steady grip as we climbed into the whiteout.
As we wound closer to Ōhau, the cabin proved as considered as the handling. With acoustic glass and layered insulation, the interior stayed calm and cocooned. The seats are sculpted rather than padded, supporting posture on long drives without drawing attention to themselves. That balance of restraint and comfort reflects Lexus’s design ethos, shaped by the Japanese principle of omotenashi — anticipating your needs before you name them.
While I got to work the following day, Nick went in search of lunch fixings. Despite the –5°C start, he reported that the RX warmed up quickly — the heated seats and steering wheel welcomed wholeheartedly. The tech picked up where we left off. Wireless Apple CarPlay reconnected seamlessly, and the memory settings restored the seat position, mirrors and drive mode without fuss.
With the shoot wrapped, we ventured into the foothills for a walk. The gravel roads were uneven and slick with ice, but with Trail Mode and Downhill Assist Control engaged, the RX handled the terrain with ease.
That sense of ease carried through. In Wānaka, we stopped for dinner at Arc before continuing to our accommodation. One of the quietest pleasures of electric driving is arriving without a sound, especially late at night when silence feels like a courtesy.
We started our morning with pastries and coffee from Crumb, a second outpost from the team behind our usual breakfast go-to in the town: Scroggin. Stocked with sandwiches for a carboot picnic, we hit the road. The RX 450h+ Limited made light work of the Lindis Pass, shifting between electric and hybrid power almost imperceptibly. Even at open-road speeds, the cabin remained calm and quiet, encouraging conversation and a few moments of serene silence to just watch the world go by.
For a car that blends hybrid capability with thoughtful design, the RX delivers. It makes practical feel elegant, and the everyday more refined.
lexus.co.nz
Words Alice Lines
Photography Duncan Innes
