Lexus has revealed the 5th-gen RX, expected to go on sale by the end of 2022 in Japan and North American markets. The 2023 Lexus RX boasts new styling, upgraded onboard technology and electrified powertrains. In the U.S. market, buyers get to choose from 6 trims: Standard, Premium, Premium+, Luxury, F Sport Handling and F Sport Performance.
The 2023 RX sports an updated Lexus design language with a new take on the always-controversial spindle grille, but personally, I think the updated grille looks pretty neat. The overall styling reminds us of the other latest models such as the RZ and the 2023 UX. The lower trim models ride on 19-inch machine-finished wheels, while the trims on the higher spectrum sport 21-inch wheels.
The 2023 RX will be offered in 10 exterior color options depending on the trim: Ultra White, Eminent White Pearl, Nebula Gray Pearl, Iridium, Caviar, Matador Red Mica, Copper Crest, Nori Green Pearl, Nightfall Mica and Grecian Water.
The 2023 RX is built on the TNGA GA-K platform that also underpins the 4th-gen Toyota Highlander (also sold as Kluger), which means I guess you can consider this as a Lexus-ized version of the Highlander. And thanks to the new platform, the new RX is claimed to be 90 kg (198 lbs) lighter than its predecessor while boasting increased rigidity. The rear section of the platform features a new multi-link suspension setup that is claimed to offer more consistent performance during acceleration, deceleration and steering movements.
For those interested to know the dimensions, the 2023 RX measures 4,890 mm long, 1,920 mm wide (+25 mm) and 1,695 mm tall (-10 mm), with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm (+60 mm). Which means the length remains unchanged while there’s more width and wheelbase this time.
Inside, there’s a 14.1-inch central touchscreen, a digital driver display, a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, and the assurance of Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of active safety and driver assistance systems, such as Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection, Intersection Support and new Motorcycle Detection; All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with new Curve Speed Management (DRCC); Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA), and Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS). The optional Advanced Park expands support for parallel parking.
Moving on to the juicy bits of the story, the RX 350 is powered by a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 205 kW (279 metric hp/275 bhp) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft) of torque, coupled with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. This variant is available both in FWD and AWD configurations.
There’s also the RX 350h (hybrid) variant, which is a combo of a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine with front and rear electric motors, forming an AWD. It’s the same setup found in the Highlander hybrid. The combined figures are 183.5 kW (249.5 metric hp/246 bhp) and 316 Nm (233 lb-ft). Transmission is a CVT.
For those seeking performance, there’s also the RX 500h F Sport Performance, packing a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine and two electric motors, again, forming an AWD here as well. The combined figures are 274 kW (372.5 metric hp/367 bhp) and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft). Transmission here is a 6-speed automatic.
An RX 450h+ PHEV model will join the lineup at a later date.
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