Lexus dropped the RX 350 and RX 350h Standard trims. Entry prices rise $2,675, while matching trims climb $500. Drive Connect’s trial shrinks from three years to three months. Lexus has spent years thinning out its interesting cars while dressing ordinary models in increasingly theatrical F Sport costumes. The 2027 RX may be one of the purest expressions of that strategy yet. It costs more, offers fewer choices, and gives buyers much less time with some of its connected services. In exchange? Ooooh, red brake calipers! Those calipers are essentially the only meaningful physical change Lexus identifies in its 2027 RX announcement. They’re optional on the F Sport Handling and F Sport Performance grades, presumably for shoppers who believe painting a component red automatically adds horsepower. That would be nice, especially considering the meager amount on offer here, but alas, it didn’t work in 2002, and it doesn’t work now. Somewhat hilariously, in all of the photos Lexus shared of the 2027 RX, it didn’t bother to show off these calipers. More: 2027 Lexus GX Gets More Features And A $1,565 Price Hike Unfortunately, the changes Lexus didn’t highlight are far more significant. The RX 350 Standard and RX 350h Standard are both gone, leaving Premium as the new entry grade. Consequently, the front-wheel-drive RX 350 now starts at $55,450, including destination, versus last year’s $52,775. That’s a $2,675 increase. The cheapest all-wheel-drive RX 350 jumps by the same amount, from $54,375 to $57,050. Hybrid buyers get identical treatment, as the RX 350h’s entry price climbs from $55,075 to $57,750. To be fair, the underlying Premium trims rise by a more ordinary $500, while the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid increases by just $100. Most of that $2,675 jump therefore comes from Lexus forcing buyers into a better-equipped trim rather than repricing the same vehicle. However, Lexus also found another place to claw back value. Last year, RXs equipped with the 14-inch touchscreen received a three-year Drive Connect trial covering cloud navigation and the “Hey Lexus” assistant. For 2027, that trial lasts three months. Remote Connect moves in the opposite direction, increasing from three to five years. That’s a good thing considering it covers useful app-based functions such as remote starting, locking, and climate control. Elsewhere, the powertrains, performance figures, platform, and safety suite carry over. The color palette shrinks from ten choices to eight, apparently losing Eminent White Pearl and Copper Crest. Lexus also no longer mentions last year’s Appearance Package, although we’ll need the complete order guide to confirm whether it has vanished. Photos: Lexus
