The first unusual Lexus RX in seven years will reach Australia, with sharpened styling, overhauled technology and a substantial amount of vital unusual hybrids.
The 2023 Lexus RX orderly SUV has been published, and an Australian open has been locked in – though exactly when is but to be confirmed.
Lexus’ fourth all-unusual product in the last 12 months, the unusual RX is the first in seven years, and brings the firm’s BMW X5 and Volvo XC90 rival in holding with the fresher styling, excessive-tech interior and upgraded hybrid powertrains of the most fresh NX medium SUV.
All versions of the unusual RX provide 5 seats, with the seven-seat RX L pointless for 2023 – though rumours point out a increased Lexus TX SUV is in vogue for open next year, with three, extra astronomical rows of seats.
Four variants of the unusual RX will be supplied globally, comprising only 1 pure petrol model – RX350, now with turbo vitality – and three hybrids, one among which offers poke-in capability. The Australian model fluctuate is but to be confirmed.
The unusual Lexus RX’s styling attracts inspiration from the smaller NX, with slim adaptive ‘triple-beam’ LED headlights, keen surfacing along the aspect, a corpulent-width LED tail-gentle bar, and ‘LEXUS’ script across the tailgate.
The present RX’s signature rear pillar form lives on, joined on hybrid items by a obvious physique-coloured insert in the head of the entrance ‘spindle’ grille. Alloy wheels up to 21 inches in diameter are on hand.
F Sport items – and the flagship RX500h F Sport Performance – obtain peculiar entrance bumpers with mesh inserts and bespoke 21-plug aluminium wheels, plus physique-coloured decrease cladding on the F Sport Performance.
Internal, the links to the NX proceed with a model of Lexus’ unusual ‘Tazuna cockpit’ interior form theme, with a orderly infotainment masks and digital instrument masks built-in into panels oriented in direction of the motive force.
The centre masks measures either 9.8 or 14 inches across, and contains the Toyota team’s latest instrument with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite tv for computer navigation, and a ‘Hey Lexus’ instruct assistant.
The instrument masks in entrance of the motive force measures approximately eight inches across, and is joined by a head-up masks, and an overhauled centre console with a smaller equipment selector and, eventually, no extra touchpad controller for the infotainment blueprint.
Diverse interior highlights encompass a panoramic glass roof, tri-zone local weather control, heated and ventilated seats, and 5 interior color schemes.
As talked about, four powertrain variants will be supplied globally: the RX350 petrol, RX350h and RX500h hybrids, and a flagship RX450h+ poke-in hybrid, the lattermost being a necessary for the RX.
Powering the RX350 is the same 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine because the NX350 – replacing the rising older 3.5-litre petrol V6 – sending 205kW and 430Nm to the entrance or all four wheels by an eight-race automatic transmission for a 7.2-7.5-2nd 0-60mph (97km/h) time.
More standard are inclined to be the hybrids, led by the RX350h, pairing a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with diverse electrical motors for a mixed output of 179kW, on hand exclusively with all-wheel force. It be in a position to a 7.4-2nd 0-60mph (97km/h) bound.
Stepping up to the RX500h swaps the 2.5-litre non-turbo engine for the RX350’s 2.4-litre turbo motor, rising mixed outputs to 270kW and a claimed 550Nm – making it basically the most important Lexus hybrid currently on sale, and in a position to 0-60mph (97km/h) in 5.9 seconds.
Crucial parts are scarce on the RX450h+ poke-in hybrid flagship, though it’s expected to scheme from the NX450h+ PHEV’s 2.5-litre petrol engine, electrical motors and 18.1kWh battery, which in the smaller vehicle form 227kW, and provide up to 80km of claimed using fluctuate.
The RX500h is supplied exclusively in F Sport Performance form – a establish debuted on the IS500 F Sport Performance V8 sedan, denoting a sportier model one step below the corpulent F excessive-efficiency fluctuate.
Over lesser variants, it beneficial properties six-piston entrance brake calipers (also prone on the F Sport), rear-wheel steering (with up to four degrees of circulate), sportier 21-plug wheels and tyres, physique-colours and murky accents, and a synthesised sound generator.
Crucially, the RX500h F Sport Performance is fitted with Lexus’ Direct4 all-wheel-force blueprint, which makes expend of acceleration, cornering race and steering attitude sensors to alter the entrance-to-rear vitality damage up on the soar between 100:0 and 20: 80 for most efficiency and traction.
Because the motive force turns staunch into a corner, the vitality damage up sits between 70: 30 (entrance to rear) and 50: 50, altering to between 50: 50 and 20: 80 on the style out of the corner for “exhilarating cornering efficiency”, in response to Lexus.
Underpinned by the Toyota team’s TNGA-K platform (shared with the NX and Toyota Kluger), the unusual RX is rarely any longer than its predecessor at 4890mm long, but measures 25mm wider (1920mm), 10mm decrease (1695mm) and 60mm longer in wheelbase (2850mm).
The unusual car is reportedly 90kg lighter than the model it replaces, whereas the wheelbase is 60mm shorter for improved manoeuvrability at low speeds. Lexus notes a 50mm-longer rear bags situation, 30mm-decrease load peak, and improved entry and exit into each rows.
Helping using dynamics is a 15mm-decrease centre of gravity, 15mm wider entrance and 45mm wider rear wheel tracks, MacPherson strut entrance and redesigned multi-link rear suspension, aluminium steering parts, and artful tuning to diminish noise, vibration and harshness.
The unusual RX aspects the Jap ticket’s Lexus Teammate assisted using tech, with semi-self sustaining using capability in web sing online visitors jams (particularly markets) at quickens to 40km/h, and an automatic parking blueprint that will per chance per chance furthermore furthermore be managed from an app whereas standing beside the vehicle.
Diverse advanced security aspects encompass self sustaining emergency braking (with give a improve to for intersections), adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, lane tracing aid, and stable exit aid, enabled by ‘E-Latch’ digital door handles.
With an on hand app, the proprietor’s smartphone could per chance per chance per chance be prone as a digital key to liberate/lock the doors, and commence the engine.
The 2023 Lexus RX has been confirmed for Australia – though loyal arrival timing remains unclear.
Prices are inclined to upward push over the present model, which prices from $73,136 to $110,460 plus on-road prices in 5-seat form.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about vehicles since 2017, when he began his have internet feature, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, changing staunch into a traditional contributing journalist at some stage in the data team in 2020.
Vehicles have played a central role at some stage in Alex’s lifestyles, from flicking by car magazines as a younger age, to rising up around efficiency vehicles in a car-loving household.
Learn extra about Alex Misoyannis