Lexus RX - TopCarNews

Lexus RX (2015 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Lexus RX is a large premium SUV, available in regular five-seat and seven-seat (RX L) formats. The current model RX is the fourth generation, which was launched in 2015. The RX L joined the range two years later.

Like most Lexus models, the RX and RX L are now only available in the UK with a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain. No conventional petrol or diesel models are offered.

The Lexus RX and RX L have received generally good reviews from UK media sources. They have been rated highly for for their build quality, comfort and refinement, although have been criticised for their driving dynamics. The third-row seats in the RX L are also quite small compared to other seven-seat SUV rivals.

The Lexus RX is unlikely to let you down mechanically. It was ranked the most reliable car in the UK in a 2020 What Car? survey of cars up to eight years old (a title shared jointly with the 2008-15 Honda Jazz and 2013-19 Toyota RAV4).

As of December 2021, the Lexus RX holds an Expert Rating of 62%, based on 34 separate reviews published by the UK media.

Key specifications

Body style: Large SUVEngines: petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £50,905 on-road

Launched: Winter 2015/16Last updated: Winter 2019/20
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: RX L range“If you’re after an imposing hybrid SUV and your focus is on comfort, the RX L will serve you pretty well.”
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Model reviewed: RX 450hScore: 8.2 / 10“The Lexus RX 450h is a quality premium SUV with the very worthwhile extra element of the economy and efficiency of its hybrid drivetrain.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: RX 450h F SportScore: 7 / 10“Updating a car like the Lexus RX is a tricky task; how do you build on a model that was, from the off, so thoroughly well-engineered? Lexus’s answer is a subtle one – by fine-tuning the car’s looks, tweaking its suspension, and adding a new infotainment system, the RX 450h has been incrementally improved all-round.”
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Model reviewed: RX 450h L PremierScore: 6 / 10“You won’t find another SUV that’s quite as comfortable or as easy to live with as a Lexus RX L. But unfortunately, if you want a seven-seat SUV, you can do an awful lot better.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The new Lexus RX is bigger, more powerful and more efficient than ever, and it looks the part too.”
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Model reviewed: RX L rangeScore: 7 / 10“The Lexus RX L fills a niche within a niche, so if you’re after a hybrid seven-seater but don’t have access to a plug socket, it’s worth considering. It’s comfortable and refined, but most of its rivals are more involving to drive. The biggest problem for many could be that despite the extra row of seats, the RX L is far from the last word in practicality.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: RX 450h LScore: 7 / 10“Supersize version of Lexus’s hybrid-only SUV is a quiet and pleasant but at times curious car to drive”
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Model reviewed: RX rangeScore: 6 / 10“The fourth-generation Lexus RX is extremely refined with improved usability but is let down by the way it drives. Although the hybrid version remains a compelling option.”
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Model reviewed: RX 450h F SportScore: 7 / 10“It’s distinctive, likeable, comfortable, refined when you’re not clogging it and loaded with standard kit.”
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Car

Model reviewed: RX 450h LScore: 8 / 10“You’ll make your own mind up about the Japanese styling inside and out, but – outdated infotainment aside – there’s little to stop us recommending the Lexus RX L as a rational, sensible seven-seat SUV option.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7.4 / 10“The Lexus RX is comfortable, refined and luxurious, but like many Lexus cars, isn’t as much fun to drive as its rivals.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: RX LScore: 7 / 10“The luxurious Lexus RX L is an RX with a longer body and two extra seats. It’s relaxing to drive and is relatively cheap to run, but you’ll find alternatives are more spacious.”
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Model reviewed: RX 450hScore: 7 / 10“The Lexus RX is a well-built, luxurious SUV that’s only available as a hybrid. It’s very comfortable for four people, but let down by a fiddly infotainment system and the lack of a diesel engine.”
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Score: 7 / 10“The Lexus RX is a well-built SUV that swaps sporty styling and driving aspirations in favour of being well built and extremely comfortable.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: RX 450h F Sport“Lexus RX scores well for emissions, BiK and luxury, but the driving experience isn’t as good as those offered by rivals.”
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Model reviewed: RX 450h L Luxury“Lexus has always been a brand to make more sense on paper rather than in the driving experience, and the RX L very much conforms to that. Excellent emissions, operating costs and low-speed running compensate for a forgettable driving experience and poor infotainment control system.”
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Daily Mail

Model reviewed: RX 450h F Sport“This well-padded SUV is built for comfort, not for sporty performance. The sinews tighten up in Sport and Sport-plus modes which give it more engagement, especially on corners, but it’s no sports car.”
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Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: RX 450h F SportScore: 8 / 10“The Lexus RX made moving house fun. But more that, that the Lexus RX made moving fun.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Luxury SUV is now available with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, but hybrid is still the car to go for.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: RX 450h LScore: 8 / 10“There’s lots of performance, and although the Lexus RX 450h has an electric driving capability, this is very limited. The real-world fuel economy may be good for a 2.2 tonne 7-seater petrol SUV, but if you’re looking for a high miles per gallon figure in real-life, then you may have to look elsewhere.”
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Model reviewed: RX 450hScore: 8 / 10“The Lexus RX 450h is an impressive technological accomplishment that can deliver refinement, luxury and potentially, relatively low emissions.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Standard equipment on the RX covers pretty much everything you’d ever want or need, and includes many features which would cost you extra on rivals.”
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Model reviewed: RX 450h“Combine a smattering of updates with a fashionable hybrid engine, a comfortable ride and a reputation for excellent reliability, and the Lexus RX is now a very strong contender.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The RX offers something different, and temptingly low running costs for private and fleet drivers mean it’ll make a lot of peoples’ shortlists.”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: RX 450h L“It’s at the same time old-school Jag and Honda concept car. Lexus would do well to pick a lane, and I suggest the latter. In the UK, the RX L is a three-star car. If you read reviews on American websites you’ll probably find they’ve given it four or five.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: RX 450hScore: 8 / 10“Replaces dynamism with the calming aura of whale music and scented candles”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: RX 450hScore: 6 / 10“It’s comfortable, reliable and beautifully finished; with better resolved suspension and a larger boot, the Lexus RX 450h would be ideal for those getting the jitters about diesel power in their next luxury SUV. As it is, it’ll work well for some, but not for others – if you need to haul large loads and do lots of motorway miles, you might be better off looking elsewhere.”
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Model reviewed: RX 450h LScore: 6 / 10“For all its new seven-seat capacity, the RX remains a very North American product in the way it drives and the design of its cabin. The hybrid system shows itself to be super smooth and reasonably economical, the ride is comfortable and the accommodation is reasonably spacious.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“It feels very solid and if Lexus’s reputation is anything to go by, ought to go on for years and years. Competitors like the Volvo XC90 are ultimately nicer products and more versatile family cars, but the Lexus RX certainly isn’t without appeal.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: RX L rangeScore: 6 / 10“The Lexus RX L is comfortable, well equipped and offers the option of seven seats. It’s biggest drawback is that despite several updates and refreshes it’s hard to hide RX L’s age. With its non plug-in hybrid engine, it just feels a tad behind the times.”
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Model reviewed: RX rangeScore: 6 / 10“There are a fair few reasons to like the latest RX. For a start, the interior is attractive and comfortable, helped by the absorbent ride and generous standard equipment. However, the Audi Q7 remains our favourite luxury SUV by offering a plusher interior, more passenger space and a better infotainment system.”
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Which?

“The Lexus RX is a very impressive luxury 4×4. It’s extremely well made and has lots of impressive technology, and is spacious and comfortable.”
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Model reviewed: RX L range“The RX L takes Lexus’ impressive luxury SUV and makes it more appealing to families. Its extra practicality is its key selling point, but the RX L makes an impression with its sheer quality, refinement and generous specification.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview“Impressive Which? Best Buy.” Rated a BEST BUY.
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2015

91%

ADULT OCCUPANT

82%

CHILD OCCUPANT

79%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

77%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Lexus RX has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic before resuming later in the year.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Lexus RX has received

2020

Auto Express Driver Power – Best Non-Plug-In Hybrid Car

2019

DrivingElectric Awards – Best Premium Hybrid Car
Auto Express Driver Power – Best Large Luxury SUV

2018

Auto Express Driver Power – Best Large Luxury SUV

2017

Auto Express Driver Power – Best Large Luxury SUV

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