NEW MODELS
RX450H + R1,717,400
Lexus has been selling hybrids to South African luxury car buyers for a lot longer than anyone else. That means it has a proven reputation for battery integrity and electric drive systems that do what they need to, without fail, for decades.
Chinese PHEV rivals might have more power and better range because of the superior battery technology available to Chinese automakers. But they can ' t match the Lexus RX450h +' s build quality and driving experience.
The original Lexus product vision was to offer Mercedes-Benz S-Class build quality at two-thirds the price. That engineering principle is still evident in the RX450h +. From the way its doors move on their hinges to the sound it makes when closing, to how its cabin materials are structured and fit together, this Lexus is a lesson in quality engineering for both Chinese and German luxury car rivals.
Steering feel, throttle and brake calibration make for a driving experience that is much more cohesive and natural than that of almost any Chinese crossover PHEV rival. The problem is range. The 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack offers only 60 km of realworld electric driving range, compared to its Chinese rivals, which offer nearly double the battery capacity for a lot less money.
If you have home solar, the RX450h + is an interesting luxury crossover. You could theoretically make daily short journeys for ' free ' using your home solar charging. And be linked into the Lexus aftersales network, which is arguably the best dealership experience among South African luxury car brands.
OMODA C9 INSPIRE R785,900
If you want a large, luxury family car, it’ s almost impossible to get more specification and features for the price than the two-wheeldrive Omoda C9 2.0 turbopetrol. This version of the C9 offers all the advanced cabin and luxury trim. The Nappa leather seats match any legacy German luxury car for long-distance driving comfort.
Where the C9 is well ahead of its many times more expensive German rivals is in infotainment and in-car tech. The processing speed of all functions on the 12.3-inch curved infotainment screen is excellent, supported by sound resonance and clarity from the 8 Sony speakers, which are truly orchestral-quality.
It’ s incredibly spacious, too. Luggage capacity is 660 litres, which is more than enough for all the luggage you could need for a long weekend away with five family members travelling together.
As a driving experience, the C9 Inspire offers excellent ride comfort, despite its large 20-inch alloy wheels and low-profile tyres. But for long-distance driving, owners need to be aware that it doesn’ t feature a spare wheel; only an emergency inflation foam kit.
Unlike the C9 SHS plug-in hybrid, the C9 Inspire’ s 2.0 turbopetrol engine is very heavy on fuel, as you’ d expect from a heavy, full-size crossover SUV powered by a turbopetrol motor. But it is more than R200,000 cheaper than the C9 SHS, and you can buy a lot of fuel with that price difference.
WORDS IN ACTION 54 SEPTEMBER 2026