2023 Unveils Lexus RX, certified for Australia

The fourth brand new Lexus product in the last 12 months, the new RX is the first in seven years and brings competitors BMW X5 and Volvo XC90 fresher style, hi-tech interiors and upgraded hybrid powertrains. the latest medium SUV NX.

All versions of the new RX offer five seats, with the seven-seater RX L dead for 2023 – although rumors suggest that a larger Lexus TX SUV is coming to market next year, with three more spacious rows of seats.

Globally, four variants of the new RX will be offered, which will include only one pure petrol model – the RX350, now with a turbocharger – and three hybrids, one of which offers plug-in capability. The Australian model line has not yet been confirmed.

The style of the new Lexus RX draws inspiration from the smaller NX, with slim adaptive “triple” LED headlights, sharp side surfaces, a full-width LED taillight strip and the word “LEXUS” on the rear doors.

The characteristic design of the rear pillar of the current RX lives on, with hybrid models added a unique body-colored insert at the top of the front “spindle” radiator grille. Cast wheels up to 21 inches in diameter are available.

The F Sport models – and the flagship RX500h F Sport Performance – get unique front bumpers with mesh inserts and tailor-made 21-inch aluminum wheels, plus body trim in the F Sport Performance.

Inside, links to the NX continue with a version of the new Lexus interior design theme “Tazuna cockpit” with large infotainment screen and digital instrument display integrated into driver-oriented panels.

The center screen is either 9.8 or 14 inches diagonal and contains the latest Toyota Group software with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless, satellite navigation and “Hey Lexus” voice assistant.

The instrument display in front of the driver measures approximately eight inches wide and is complemented by a head-up display and a redesigned center console with a smaller gear selector and finally without a touch control for the infotainment system.

Other interior features include a panoramic glass roof, three-zone air conditioning, heated and ventilated seats and five interior color schemes.

As already mentioned, four powertrain variants will be offered globally: the RX350 petrol, the RX350h and RX500h hybrids and the RX450h flagship + plug-in hybrid, the latter being the first for the RX.

The RX350 powers the same 2.4-liter supercharged four-cylinder petrol engine as the NX350 – replaces the obsolete 3.5-liter petrol V6 – sends 205 kW and 430 Nm to the front or all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission for 7.2-7.5 seconds 0-60 mph (97 km / h) time.

The hybrids, led by the RX350h, a paired 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with various 183 kW combined electric motors, available exclusively with all-wheel drive, are likely to be more popular. It is able to accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km / h) in 7.4 seconds.

The RX500h replaces the 2.5-liter non-supercharged engine with the 2.4-liter RX350 turbo engine, increasing combined power to 270 kW and rated torque of 550 Nm – making it the most powerful Lexus hybrid on sale today, capable of 0- 60 mph. (97 km / h) in 5.9 seconds.

Details of the flagship flagship plug-in hybrid RX450h + are rare, although it is expected to draw from the 2.5-liter petrol engine NX450h + PHEV, electric motors and 18.1kWh battery, which in the smaller car will develop 227kW and offer up to 80 km of claimed driving . range.

The RX500h is offered exclusively in the form of the F Sport Performance – this name debuted on the IS500 F Sport Performance V8 sedan and marks a sportier model one step below the full F-Series with high performance.

Compared to the smaller variants, it gets six-piston front brake calipers (also used in the F Sport), rear wheel steering (with up to four gears), sportier 21-inch wheels and tires, body colors and black accents, and a synthesized sound generator.

Crucially, the RX500h F Sport Performance features Lexus Direct4 all-wheel drive, which uses acceleration, cornering and steering angle sensors to adjust power distribution between the front and rear axles while running between 100: 0 and 20:80 for maximum performance. and traction.

When the driver turns into a corner, the power distribution is between 70:30 (front to back) and 50:50, and when exiting the turn, it changes to 50:50 to 20:80 for “exciting cornering performance”. according to Lexus.

The new RX, supported by Toyota’s TNGA-K platform (shared with NX and Toyota Kluger), is no longer than its 4890 mm predecessor, but measures 25 mm wider (1920 mm), 10 mm lower (1695 mm) and 60 mm mm longer wheelbase. (2850 mm).

The new car is reportedly 90 kg lighter than the model it replaces, and the wheelbase is 60 mm shorter for better maneuverability at low speeds. Lexus has a 50 mm longer rear luggage compartment, a 30 mm lower load height and better entry and exit in both rows.

Driving dynamics is aided by a 15 mm lower center of gravity, 15 mm wider front and 45 mm wider rear track, MacPherson strut at the front and redesigned multi-link rear suspension, aluminum steering components and smart tuning to reduce noise, vibration and roughness.

The new RX is equipped with Japanese-brand Lexus Teammate assisted steering technology with the ability to drive partially autonomously in traffic jams (in some markets) at speeds up to 40 km / h and an automatic parking system that can be controlled from the application when standing next to each other. Vehicle.

Other advanced safety features include autonomous emergency braking (with junction support), adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane monitoring assistant and safe exit assistant, which are enabled by the “E-Latch” electronic door handles.

Using the available application, the owner’s smartphone can be used as a digital key to unlock / lock the door and start the engine.

The Lexus RX from 2023 has been confirmed for Australia – although the exact timing of arrival remains unclear.

Prices are likely to rise from the current model, which costs between $ 73,136 and $ 110,460 plus five-seater road costs.