Ecosystem carnage: our Lexus RX gets in a tangle with Android Auto

Updated: 30 April 2024

► Lexus RX long-term test
► Infotainment woes with Android Auto
► Read month 1 here

The Lexus RX features wireless Apple CarPlay, but its Android Auto connection is wired – and when said connection stops working, it throws all your Google Maps and Spotify access out the window, and even different cables and removing my anti-virus software couldn’t get phone and car to talk again.

So our RX 450h+ went back to Lexus for a few days. Lexus managed to replicate my issue – proving I wasn’t stupid – and that was with a brand-new cable.

The technical department reports that not updating your phone (not an issue here) or the cables (the issue here) is usually the root cause.

It seems the real answer is for Lexus to upgrade to wireless Android Auto.

Read month 1 here

Read month 2 here

Read month 3 here

Read month 4 here

Slick, refined, oh-so parsimonious: the Lexus RX

Logbook: Lexus RX450h Premium Pack Plus

Price: £73,100 (£73,350 as tested)
Performance: 2487cc four-cylinder plus two e-motors, PHEV, 304bhp, 6.5sec 0-62mph, 124mph
Efficiency: 256.8mpg (official), 108.8mpg (tested), 26g/km CO2
Energy cost: 11.5p per mile
Miles this month: 1329
Total miles: 8427

By Ben Pulman

Ex-CAR editor-at-large

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