Anyone could be forgiven for thinking the RX350 has suddenly got a new edge to it when you realise Lexus’ updated SUV comes with a Heads-Up Display. But they’d be wrong. Lexus hasn’t gone over to the dark side and taken an inspiration from a Corvette ZR1 (which also has HUD); this fighter jet-style toy is meant to be a safety feature.

Damn. For a moment it seemed like this medium-sized SUV might have had some sporting potential and perhaps benefited from the healthy dose of steroids dished out on the IS-F. Oh well, guess you should never get your hopes up.

Or should you. The RX350’s chief engineer is Takayuki Katsuda, who’s the former manager of the chassis engineering division. Under his guard, the suspension was not open to compromise. So Katsuda-san made some technical modifications: more sporting front and rear suspension, a thicker stabilising bar and a significant 41mm wider track – an essential part considering the centre of gravity isn’t helped by the fact that it’s now taller and longer.

On this dynamic point it’s certainly better than the soft 2006 model: it’s not exactly level when you make even semi-aggressive stabs at the wheel but it keeps its composure – and high levels of comfort – as the body sets quickly from turn to turn. The steering remains artificially light though, and you shouldn’t expect much on the performance front. Power is raised by 5bhp and torque remains the same so it’s never going to be very sprightly or involving to drive. Best to talk more about everyday driving.

Despite the remaining 257lb ft, its broad range means it delivers most of the torque between 2300 and 6100rpm, so it’s more useable day-to-day. It’s not hurried and the engine is almost inaudible. It fits with the RX350’s comfortable seats and its progressive but unhurried nature.

The RX350 is all about new technical details; the kinds of details Lexus customers have come to expect. In the restyled swooping interior that has the usual sense of calmness, the in-car navigation uses a new fingertip joystick that works like a computer mouse. And at the rear of the masculine, redesigned exterior, the spoiler was set at a particular angle so as to hide the rear wiper and at the same time to improve aerodynamics. Apparently this took quite a while to get right. Of course, it’s not something you’d be aware of, but at least the Japanese engineers will be happy it has the same drag coefficient as a Mazda RX7 or a Subaru Impreza WRX STi. It obviously doesn’t drive as well but it stands to reason you shouldn’t expect much from something that’s aimed at also going off-road in the Middle East.

Lexus claims the RX350 was made with local driving environments in mind. So it has a locking centre differential. And even though there wasn’t any off-road driving on the test, the guys at Lexus are keen to let you try it on the dirty stuff.

This may all sound a little too sedate – but that’s because it is.

For anyone looking at a cosseting mid-sized SUV, it’ll serve their press-and-go motoring needs without any drama. A bit of a shame, seeing as they won’t know about the work Katsuda-san put into it.