Better looks, meaner sound, great I.C.E. that will be the new Lexus RX 450h.

15-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound system provided as standard

Lexus has released a new RX 450h Advance, a model that is even more generously equipped than before with the added luxury of a Mark Levinson premium 7.1 surround sound system as standard.

Even with the additional benefit of this Lexus-bespoke audio package (that has a £1,000 list price) and a fine set of new-design machined and shaded 19-inch alloy, wheels, the price tag for the new Advance is unchanged, matching its predecessor at £48,495.

The Mark Levinson system provides exceptional audio performance from its carefully engineered array of 15 speakers, including a 200mm subwoofer. These support an exceptionally wide frequency range to give precise reproduction of vocals and instrumentals.

The package also includes a DVD player rear-view camera and Lexus’s intuitive computer mouse-like Remote Touch audio and navigation control system. Lexus Premium Navigation and Bluetooth for hands-free phone calls and audio streaming are also provided.

The new RX 450h Advance adopts the successful package pioneered by its predecessor, building on the established Luxury grade with a range of exterior styling features that add further impact to the vehicle’s contemporary looks. These include a deep front bumper with integrated fog lights and LED headlights that incorporate Lexus’s I-AFS auto-adaptive system, moving the lighting beam in line with the steering to give better illumination through bends and at junctions.

The price tag also includes the choice of either a sunroof or fixed panoramic roof.

In matching the specification of the RX 450h Luxury, the Advance benefits from an impressive range of features that reflect the quality, innovation and refined, efficient performance that define the full hybrid SUV. These include Smart Entry and Start; dual-zone climate control; front and rear parking sensors, leather upholstery; heated, eight-way adjustable front seats; heated, auto-diming and folding door mirrors, automatic windscreen wipers; and rear privacy glass.

The essential functionality of a family-size SUV is addressed in details such as the 40:20:40 individual sliding and folding rear seats and a power-operated tailgate.

The RX 450h’s full hybrid powertrain delivers a strong combination of performance and efficiency: deploying a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and a powerful electric motor, it produces a maximum 295bhp, enabling nought to 62mph acceleration in less than eight seconds. Thanks to a second electric motor on the rear axle, the system can automatically deliver all-wheel drive performance when conditions require extra grip.

The fundamental efficiency of the Lexus hybrid system secures official combined cycle figures of 44.8mpg and 145g/km.

The new RX 450h is on sale now with a choice of five exterior colours: Velvet Black, Arctic Pearl, Mercury Grey, Satin Silver, and Celestial Black. These can be matched with ivory, light grey, black and saddle tan leather in the cabin, and an optional Wood Pack.