Lexus’ new RX SUV arrives Down Under

Electrified powertrains headline six-variant RX range, now priced from $87,500

LEXUS has introduced its all-new RX SUV line-up to Australia this week, the heavily electrified range now commencing with the petrol-electric RX350h hybrid and priced from $87,500 plus on-road costs.

That figure means the entry point to the RX range is now $15,296 more than before. The range is topped by a newcomer to the RX line-up, the RX500h F Sport Performance flagship retailing from $126,000, or $15,117 more than the outgoing RX450hL Sports Luxury AWD.

Lexus says the fifth generation RX “redefines” its signature driving dynamics with more performance and improved steering, braking and handling characteristics. The model has been designed to look “sharper on the road”, while also providing “new levels” of comfort and refinement.

Speaking at the launch of the new RX in Melbourne this week, Lexus Australia chief executive John Pappas said the arrival of the SUV is exciting given its popularity and significance in the local market.

“The RX is synonymous with Lexus in Australia. It has helped forge the Lexus brand here, pioneering the luxury SUV concept and winning customers with its refined luxury and thoughtful design,” he said.

“The all-new RX builds on the model’s long-standing qualities but now encapsulates it in a thoroughly modern and more sporting package that still delivers high on comfort and elegance.”

Three powertrain options are available across the RX range. Entry level RX350h variants are powered by a 184kW petrol-electric combination and is available in either two- or all-wheel drive, the latter adding $4500 to the list price.

The RX350 offers petrol power from a turbocharged unit making 205kW and 430Nm and offered exclusively with all-wheel drive, while the range-topper features a high-performance 2.4-litre turbo-petrol engine in a parallel hybrid arrangement producing 273kW and driving all four wheels.

Starting with the Lexus RX350h Luxury (in two- and all-wheel drive) we find a strong standard equipment list which includes bi-LED headlights, LED DRLs and front and rear fog lights, heated and driver’s side auto-dimming wing mirrors, rear privacy glass, roof rails and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the base variant includes heated, eight-way adjustable front seats with two-way power lumbar adjustment, synthetic leather trim, three-zone climate control, rear air vents, easy access steering wheel with electrically adjustable steering column, paddle shifters, interior illumination, auto-dimming rear view mirror, carpeted floor mats, four cup holders, tonneau cover and power tailgate.

The variant further benefits from Lexus’ latest multimedia system displayed on a 14.0-inch high-definition touchscreen and is compatible with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. The 12-speaker Panasonic audio system offers DAB+ digital radio reception, native satellite navigation and Lexus Connected Service among its extensive list of capabilities. Five USB-C ports, two 12-volt outlets and a single USB-A port are offered throughout the cabin.

Like all new-generation RX variants, the entry grade features safe exit assist (SEA) incorporating new e-latch electrically activated door handles which can detect cyclists or vehicles passing close to the vehicle and can keep the door closed to avoid a collision.

SEA joins a comprehensive suite of safety technologies including a pre-collision system with intersection collision avoidance support, emergency steering assist and low-speed acceleration suppression, lane departure alert, dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, parking support brake, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, and driver monitor camera.

Both RX350h Luxury variants are available optionally with Lexus’ Enhancement Pack ($5100 for 2WD variants and $5500 for AWD) which adds a panoramic moonroof, leather-accented trim, ventilated front seats, easy-access driver’s seat with memory, touch-sensitive steering-wheel controls linked with the head-up display, high-grade instrument cluster, smart key card and inductive phone charger.

The RX350 F Sport adds a host of sporting accoutrements to the range, including model-specific 21-inch alloy wheels in gloss black, F Sport front and rear bumpers and grille, F Sport exterior badging, black roof rails and black mirror caps.

Inside, the F Sport adds a dimpled leather steering wheel, scuff plates, shift knob and instrument cluster, aluminium pedals, and heated and ventilated F Sport front seats.

The variant is further enhanced by Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), six-piston monobloc calipers (on the front axle), three-projector bi-LED headlights with BladeScan technology, dynamic auto-levelling, cornering lights and washers, a powered tailgate with kick sensor, easy access driver’s seat, smart key card, rear door sunshades, and multi-colour interior illumination.

Colour head-up display and touch-type steering wheel controls are included, along with a high-grade instrument cluster display, wireless smartphone charging, Active Noise Control and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound.

Additional safety features include a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) and Adaptive High-Beam System (AHS).

RX350 F Sport customers can further option the $3100 Enhancement Pack 1 with sliding panoramic roof, or $1100 Enhancement Pack 2 which adds a digital rear-view mirror, Intelligent Park Assist and a heated steering wheel.

Next up are the RX350 AWD petrol and RX350h Sports Luxury priced at $105,900 and $111,900 respectively.

Grade highlights include AVS, PVM, high-grade bi-LED headlights with AHS, heated and ventilated front seats, Mark Levinson premium sound and Active Noise Control (shared with F Sport grades) as well as 10-way power-adjustable front seats with semi-aniline leather upholstery and four-way lumbar support and memory function, heated steering wheel with woodgrain ornamentation, power-folding and reclining rear seats, heated and ventilated outboard rear seats, and uniquely designed 21-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.

Both variants may be further optioned with two enhancement packs, the first of which adds a sliding panoramic roof for $3000 and the second adding a digital rear view mirror and Intelligent Parking Assist for an additional $900.

Finally, and topping the all-new RX range, is the new RX500 F Sport Performance. Priced from $126,000 plus ORCs, the variant combines all the optional equipment from the Enhancement Packs as standard, along with visual upgrades shared with the RX350 F Sport, including leather upholstery and aluminium ornamentation.

The flagship variant further gains its own 21-inch alloy wheels with a matte black finish, aluminium monoblock front callipers finished in black, front and rear bumpers with piano black side moulding, black F Sport badging and exterior window surrounds, body coloured lower side rocker trim, piano black inner side mirror garnish and Active Sound Control.

Inside, we find front F Sport scuff plates with black logos and F Sport branded carpet floor mats.

Lexus says the flagship variant takes the model’s already improved dynamics to the next level with a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system incorporating Dynamic Rear Steering to maximise handling and grip.

The 2023 Lexus RX range is available in a choice of nine exterior colours including Sonic Quartz, Titanium, Sonic Chrome, Sonic Iridium, Graphite Black, Vermillion, Khaki Metal, Deep Blue and Sonic Copper on Luxury and Sport Luxury grades. F Sport grades replace Sonic Quartz, Titanium, Vermillion and Khaki Metal with White Nova and Cobalt Mica, while the F Sport Performance palette matches the F Sport bar the loss of Deep Blue.

2023 Lexus RX pricing*:

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