Top Crossover

Lexus returns to the seven-seat game with its new, stretched RX350L.

- Ellfian Rahim

Yes, seven-seater SUVs or crossovers have come a long way since the Mitsubishi Pajero ‘people carrier’ of the late 1990s. Thankfully, gone are such ridiculous things as ad-hoc seating shoehorned into any available space, uncomfortable suspension systems and noisy, thirsty power plants!

Now, the seven-seat crossover has evolved in terms of how it handles, while its size has contributed to its growing popularity. Furthermore, improvements to the drivetrain result in better drivability, and upgrades to the suspension means it handles more like a large hatchback instead of a small lorry.

Size-wise, contemporary cabins feature more comfortable seating even in the third row, and there are more amenities on board, such as rear air-conditioning, power points for gadgets, panoramic sunroof and powered tailgate. Case in point is the brand-new Lexus RX350L – the premium Japanese automaker’s return to the seven-seater sweepstakes after more than a decade.