Mark X employs the 6-speed V6 drivetrain and double-wishbone multi-link suspension of the Lexus GS250.
But the leather upholstery is agreeable (albeit done locally), the aftermarket Pioneer head unit has useful features, all the switches have a slick action, and the fake wood isn’t too “uncle”. The dual-zone auto air-con is powerful enough to make the perpetual Singapore summer on the outside become temporary Japanese springtime on the inside.
The driver’s seat seems to be pretty high (even at its lowest setting), but it’s otherwise comfortable, with excellent visibility ahead through the windscreen. The backseat provides enough headroom (for 1.77m me) and plenty of legroom, plus a bit of feet-room under the front seats, but the sizeable FR (front-engine, rear-drive) transmission hump makes it less roomy for three passengers than the Camry. The front seatback pockets are practical, but the rear doorbins are more like little cupholders for equally small cups.
On the go, the Mark X feels like a lesser Lexus GS250 rather than a greater Camry 2.5. The 2.5-litre V6 of the Mark X is quiet when idling and refined when revving, with its 6-speed transmission working the gears as smoothly as a skilled chef slicing sashimi. Full-throttle up/down-shifts are surprisingly prompt, to the point of sacrificing some of the smoothness mentioned earlier.
The steering is light enough for one-handed twirling in a carpark, but the polyurethane wheel is more slippery than the leather-wrapped one in the Lexus GS. Apart from some road noise (the car’s sporty 225/45 R18 Falken Azenis FK453 tyres could be a contributing factor), this vehicle cruises comfortably, especially on the expressway. Just like the Camry, in other words. But when it comes to changing direction or braking quickly, the Mark X is positive and alert – unlike the sleepy Camry.
Depending on equipment and retail outlet, the grey-import Mark X 250G undercuts the official 2.5-litre Camry by $10k to $15k, and the base-spec, mechanically similar Lexus GS250 by almost $100k. You don’t need the intellect of Professor X to deduce that the Mark X offers decent value for money.
Toyota Mark X 250G 2.5 (A)
ENGINE 2499cc, 24-valves, V6
MAX POWER 203bhp at 6400rpm
MAX TORQUE 243Nm at 4800rpm
GEARBOX 6-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H Not available
TOP SPEED 180km/h (governed)
CONSUMPTION 10.4km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE On application
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