The all-new Lexus RX will offer customers the choice of two electrified powertrains including a new turbocharged performance hybrid.
That high-performance hybrid hero is the RX 500h F Sport Performance, which headlined the public reveal of the RX in Australia at Flemington Racecourse during the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
The new-generation RX SUV arrives in Lexus showrooms in the first quarter of 2023 priced from $87,500 plus on-road costs.
The RX 500h F Sport Performance uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine in a parallel hybrid arrangement for the first time, teamed to a six-speed automatic transmission and a pair of electric motors to create DIRECT4 all-wheel drive with 273kW and instant torque on tap.
Buyers will also be able to select RX 350 variants with a turbocharged performance petrol engine producing 205kW and 430Nm with electronically controlled all-wheel-drive grip.
A second intelligent hybrid powertrain producing 184kW propels the RX 350h models, bringing to three the number of powertrain options for buyers.
The hybrid-only Luxury grades with 2WD and AWD are priced below $100,000 and have bi-LED headlamps, daytime running lamps (DRLs), front and rear fog lamps, heated and driver’s side auto-dimming exterior mirrors, rear privacy glass, roof rails and 19-inch alloy wheels with a five-spoke design combining a bright machined finish and dark grey metallic surface treatment.
All RX models feature safe exit assist (SEA) incorporating new e-latch electrically activated door handles which can detect cyclists or vehicles passing close by and can keep the door closed to avoid a collision.
Inside the cabin Luxury grades receive heated, eight-way adjustable front seats with two-way power lumbar adjustment, synthetic leather trim, three-zone climate control with Nanoe X air purification, 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.
All RX variants come standard with the Lexus multimedia system displayed on an 14-inch high-definition touchscreen, compatible with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay with 12-speaker Panasonic sound.
The system offers in-built satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio and full Lexus Connected Services.
Five USB-C ports are found throughout the cabin, along with two 12V sockets and one USB-A port to support multimedia connection and smartphone charging.
Lexus Safety Sense + active safety features across the RX range, include the 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, and rear cross traffic alert.
New features include the driver monitor camera which assesses the driver’s state of attention when on the road.
The RX 350 F Sport with turbocharged petrol engine available exclusively in AWD is priced at $99,900.
It has a sharper look with a range of sporting upgrades including unique 21-inch alloy wheels with a gloss black finish, F Sport front and rear bumpers and grille, F Sport exterior badging and black roof rails and exterior mirror caps.
The sporting character is reflected inside with a unique dimpled leather steering wheel, scuff plates, shift knob and instrument cluster, aluminium pedals and heated and ventilated F Sport seats.
The F Sport also delivers improved road handling with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and superior stopping power with aluminium monobloc six-piston callipers.
It also introduces a multitude of comfort and convenience features including high-grade three-projector Bi-LED headlamps with BladeScan technology, dynamic auto-levelling, cornering lamps and headlamp cleaners, power 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 system. Additional features include a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) and Adaptive High-Beam System (AHS).
For customers seeking more luxury and comfort, the AWD RX 350 petrol and RX 350h offer a Sports Luxury specification, priced at $105,900 and $111,900, respectively.
The Sports Luxury grade shares select specification highlights with the F Sport including AVS, PVM, high-grade Bi-LED headlamps with AHS, heated and ventilated front seats, and the Mark Levinson premium audio system. The RX 350 further shares Active Noise Control.
Exclusive to Sports Luxury are 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.
Topping the all-new RX range is the RX 500h F Sport Performance priced from $126,0001 plus on-road costs.
It is available in a single grade that includes all optional equipment from the Enhancement Packs, along with the sporting visual upgrades shared with the RX 350 F Sport including leather upholstery and aluminium ornamentation.
The flagship gains its own 21-inch alloys with a matte black finish, aluminium monobloc 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, the RX 500h F Sport Performance adds front F Sport scuff plates with black logos and F Sport branded carpet floor mats.
According to the brand, the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system incorporating Dynamic Rear Steering maximises handling and grip in the 500h F Sport Performance making it the sharpest, most responsive and fun-to-drive Lexus SUV yet.
