At Auto Expo 2023, Lexus unveiled the RX SUV, which will be available in two trims – RX 350h Luxury and RX 500h F Sport Performance. Bookings for the new RX SUV and it will launch before the end of March 2023. The RX is a key volume seller for Lexus in India and it will not spawn a three-row derivative as of now.
New Lexus RX: powertrains
The RX 350h Luxury is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-charged petrol engine paired with a CVT gearbox; in combination with the strong-hybrid system, this variant produces 247hp. It gets a choice of two powertrains – a front-wheel drive and an all-wheel drive – with the former capable of a 0-100kph dash in a claimed 8.1 seconds and the latter can do the same in a claimed 7.9 seconds.
The RX 500h F Sport Performance, the higher-performance version, gets a 2.4-litre turbo-petrol engine that is paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Along with its strong-hybrid system, it is capable of churning out 366hp and 460Nm of torque. It comes standard with an all-wheel drive system and can achieve a 0-100kph time of 6.2 seconds (claimed).
Lexus has employed a high-power bipolar nickel-metal hydride battery in the new RX SUV.
New Lexus RX: exterior and dimensions
The new RX adopts Lexus’ Alluring X Verve design language and emulates the ‘spindle body’ appearance of the new RZ electric SUV. Furthermore, the RX 500h gets an F-Sport body kit that has some visual differences over the standard model. While the standard model gets chrome accents in the bumper, the F-Sport gets piano black. Even the entire bumper on the F-Sport variant gets full-body colour treatment. More importantly, it also gets an F-Sport emblem on the front fenders.
Based on an enhanced version of the GA-K platform, the new RX has an increased wheelbase of 60mm, now measuring 2850mm, without increasing the overall length and height of the SUV. The RX is also 25mm wider than before, measuring 1920mm and its front and rear track have been increased by 20mm and 65mm, respectively.
The RX is be available in eight colours, seven of which – Sonic Quartz, Sonic Chrome, Sonic Iridium, Graphite Black, Red Mica, Sonic Titanium and Deep Blue Mica – were available earlier as well. Lexus has now added a new Sonic Copper to the RX palette. The F-Sport variant, however, is available in six colours and gets two F-Sport exclusive colours – White Nova and Heat Blue.
New Lexus RX: interior and features
Lexus has incorporated its Tazuna Concept for the interior of the fifth-gen RX. The Tazuna, Japanese for rein, concept is defined by Lexus as being “human-centric” with the aim of connecting the driver with the car for better concentration on driving. Lexus has integrated controls for the head-up display into the steering wheel.
The RX also gets a 14-inch touchscreen in the infotainment system with wireless charging and Apple CarPlay, but gets tethered Android Auto. Lexus is offering a choice of three interior colours – Black, Dark Sepia and Solis White – and two trim options that include sumi woodgrain and medium bamboo brown. The RX also gets a panoramic sunroof.
New Lexus RX: rivals
While the prices have not been revealed yet, the Lexus RX rivals the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Land Rover Discovery Sport.
