Pushed: The 2023 Lexus RX Raises The Crossover Bar Once more

This time, although, the luxurious crossover market is so large that the RX has much more work to do to maintain up with or overtake its rivals. Gone is the V6 and as an alternative are a trio of various four-cylinder powertrains, every with its personal transmission.

Learn Extra: We’re Driving The All-New 2023 Lexus RX, What Do You Want To Know?

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Which may not sound like a profit however after a couple of days with each upcoming RX trim, we will guarantee you that Lexus has addressed the problems of the final technology RX whereas additionally bettering the aspects of the design that we already liked. This crossover is best to drive than the outgoing technology and improves on a regular basis livability too.

Deliberately Polarizing

Pushing design ahead is nearly at all times a polarizing resolution. Apparent examples just like the C8 Corvette and the unique Porsche Cayenne ever come to thoughts. The 2023 Lexus RX appears to be much less controversial however no much less polarizing. Earlier than we drove the automotive we asked you what you wanted to know about it and it was clear that fairly plenty of you had been shocked by the brand new exterior design.

We will guarantee you that, at the least to our eyes, it’s much less offensive and extra cohesive in individual. A few of that comes right down to the truth that Lexus has tied the Spindle Grille design into the complete physique now as an alternative of simply the entrance clip. The physique general is strictly the identical size (192.5 inches / 488.9 cm) because it was final yr however the RX is now wider (75.6 inches / 192cm vs 74.6 inches / 189cm final yr), shorter (67.3 inches / 170.9cm vs 67.7 / 171.9cm inches final yr), and has an extended wheelbase (112.2 inches / 284cm vs 109.8 inches / 278cm final yr).

Combining a shorter and wider stance with bolder exterior design selections pushes the RX into the long run in a manner that ought to maintain it wanting contemporary for fairly plenty of years. On the identical time, small touches like the floating roof design element have remained as a approach to tie this technology to its previous. 19-inch wheels come normal on most trims however some, just like the RX 500h, will include 21s. As an entire design bundle, we expect it appears to be like much more aggressive and sporty than the outgoing technology.

Element-Oriented Inside Design

Inside the brand new Lexus RX, all the pieces feels much more refined. We had entry to each trim degree that will likely be on sale at launch and even the prospect to drive a plug-in hybrid that may go on sale someday later. Each one in every of them provided a pleasant house to inhabit. Ergonomically, the entrance seats present wonderful help and adjustability. Controls are simply understood and logically positioned.

Panel gaps and materials high quality can also be top-notch. Small touches just like the door popping mechanism (that’s proper, no typical handles right here), the stitching, and the middle console cupboard space that opens from each side actually assist outline what makes the RX particular. They’re pleasant selections that reveal consideration to element. Lexus didn’t want to incorporate any of these options however they did, and every one makes the car really feel simply that rather more luxurious.

That theme continues all through the entire cabin with high-quality design on the door playing cards, the dashboard, the middle console, the steering wheel itself, and even within the second row the place the local weather controls are. Again there, the temperature management is flanked by particular person USB-C ports. The rear seats themselves are spacious and cozy too. Taller people will need extra headroom however they received’t want any extra legroom even when equally tall folks could be within the entrance chairs. For the primary time, Lexus is providing heated and ventilated outboard rear seats on particular trims.

Cargo house within the again is greater than sufficient for many journeys. Those that want extra can fold the rear seats flat to create a cavernous luxurious mini-truck of kinds. The rear tailgate opens and closes three seconds quicker than the outgoing RX and we will verify that it’s quick sufficient that you just’ll in all probability stop closing your tailgate by yourself.

Pushing The Expertise Envelope

In our eyes, the most important step ahead for the RX is the infotainment system. Gone is the irritating touchpad of the final technology and as an alternative is the wonderful touchscreen system present in a couple of different new Lexus fashions. All the interface is a breath of contemporary air with easy-to-navigate menus and a really logical structure. Most local weather controls require using the touchscreen however they’re at all times positioned on the backside of the display and three bodily knobs permit for management of the temperature and audio system quantity. It’s an important steadiness between bodily and digital controls.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are normal once more however this time in wi-fi kind. On prime of that, a 12-speaker sound system is now normal and a 21-speaker 1,800-watt Mark Levinson sound system is offered. It produces a really crisp clear sound and has wonderful treble, mid-range, and bass too.

The out there heads-up show is particularly spectacular. Not solely does it present wonderful graphics but it surely additionally consists of capacitive buttons on the steering wheel. When one glances their finger over a type of buttons a useful little infographic pops up within the HUD to guarantee that the motive force understands what the button will do when pressed. It’s an important system that we’d like to see others incorporate.

Voice controls within the 2023 Lexus RX had been hit and miss in our testing. Typically the system would acknowledge interactions and directions with out situation and different instances it wouldn’t reply in any respect. Needless to say these had been pre-production prototypes so the software program might enhance between now and when these automobiles go on sale late this yr.

Each RX will include Lexus Safety System + 3.0, an entire superior driver help system. Included in that bundle is dynamic cruise management, lane-change help, clever excessive beams, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and extra. The RX additionally helps a small digicam positioned simply above the middle of the steering wheel that watches for harmful conduct from the motive force like not paying sufficient consideration to the highway.

In principle, it’s an important concept, however in follow, we had a whole lot of alerts throughout regular driving conduct like studying a road signal as we handed it. As well as, in the event you ever drive with one hand on the highest middle of the wheel, the system will beep away at you since you’re blocking it from seeing your face. Furthermore, when taller folks stretch out and relaxation their heads on the headrest the system can lose their face too. Regardless of these smallish gripes, we’re most impressed with the RX’s expertise bundle.

Gas Financial system

The EPA has but to launch any information on gasoline economic system for the RX however Lexus has some estimates for us. It says that the brand new luxurious crossover will stand up to 22 mpg within the metropolis, 29 on the freeway, and 25 mixed in RX 350 trim. That’s an enchancment over the earlier RX 350 by 2 mpg in every class. Remember although that the brand new RX requires premium fuel whereas the outgoing RX might run on common. Mainly, you received’t need to cease fairly as typically to refuel but it surely would possibly nonetheless value extra.

The Greatest Driving RX But

At launch, three completely different variations of the RX will go on sale. The bottom mannequin makes use of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that sends 275 horsepower (205 kW) and 317 pound-feet 429 Nm) of torque to both the entrance wheels or all 4 through an eight-speed computerized transmission. Off of the road, it feels snappy and enjoyable. It’s lighter than the outgoing RX too (4,155 kilos in comparison with 4,222 kilos on the final technology FWD) and that interprets to higher dealing with and fewer physique roll.

The RX 350h, a hybrid model targeted on gasoline effectivity, is the least highly effective of the household with simply 246 horsepower (183 kW) and 233 pound-feet (315 Nm) of torque on faucet. From the motive force’s seat, it’s very clearly the gradual one. It’s additionally the one one within the lineup to make use of a constantly variable transmission. Absolutely, the added weight of a hybrid system isn’t useful within the pursuit of pace however fortunately, it nonetheless options above-average physique management and a snug experience. Not like the traditional RX 350, the 350h is just out there with AWD.

That’s additionally the case for the brand new RX 500h trim which goals to harness the ability of hybridization for the needs of efficiency moderately than gasoline effectivity. It develops a really wholesome complete of 366 horsepower (272 kW) and 406 pound-feet (549 Nm) of torque. Energy is routed to all 4 wheels by way of a six-speed computerized transmission. If there’s been a extra partaking RX prior to now we will’t consider it. The RX 500h affords sufficient energy and torque to fulfill the wants of those that have at all times wished an RX however demanded a powertrain that wouldn’t bore them.

A fourth mannequin, the RX 450h, offers a plug-in hybrid solution to prospects that need it but it surely received’t go on sale till effectively after the launch of the opposite three trims. We solely had a really brief time in a Euro-spec model of it and from that restricted expertise, it appears like a mix of the traditional RX 350 and the 350h. It might probably faucet into an EV-only mode or make the most of each the gasoline and electrical motor to outperform the traditional hybrid.

It’s value noting that this isn’t a direct competitor by way of driving dynamics to autos just like the Porsche Cayenne, the BMW X5, or the Mercedes GLE. Even in Sport mode, the RX isn’t as refined or adept at high-speed athleticism as its rivals. That’s OK although because it affords a greater worth with regard to luxurious and luxury which is basically the primary purpose of most automobiles on this class.

Trims And Sub-Trims

Whereas Lexus will provide the RX in three distinct powertrains at launch, it’ll additionally separate every a type of with sub-trim ranges. For instance, the bottom RX 350 with its gas-only engine and FWD or AWD configuration will be had in 5 sub-trims.

The primary is known as Commonplace and it comes with 19-inch wheels, LED fog lamps, eight-way power-adjustable seats, faux-leather upholstery, heated entrance seats, a 9.8-inch infotainment system, 12 audio system, and extra along with Lexus’ Security System + 3.0.

Above that’s the RX 350 Premium. It provides heated and ventilated entrance seats, a wi-fi gadget charger, a power-tilt and slide moonroof, aluminum roof rails, parking help, and a backup digicam.

The Premium + trim features a 14-inch infotainment system with built-in navigation, leather-based upholstery, a heated steering wheel, ambient inside lighting, and multi-zone local weather management with computerized recirculation.

Probably the most luxurious of the RX 350 trims is the appropriately named Luxurious. It will get 21-inch wheels, suede door trim, upgraded seats, a heads-up show, four-way lumbar help, and 10-way power-adjustable entrance seats.

Technically the highest RX 350 trim is the F SPORT Handling AWD. As one would possibly guess, it comes normal with AWD together with six-piston entrance brake calipers, F SPORT entrance seats with thicker bolsters, adaptive variable suspension, 21-inch wheels, aluminum pedals, and distinctive F SPORT trim in and out.

The 350h is offered in every of these sub-trims aside from the F SPORT variant and will get the identical options in every. Lastly, the RX 500h is just out there within the F SPORT Dealing with AWD sub-trim. Pricing has but to be introduced for any RX trim or sub-trim however we count on it to start out at about $50,000.

Distilling A Nice Recipe

Lexus made it very clear in its presentation that it doesn’t suppose that the RX goes up towards the likes of Tesla Mannequin Y or the Cadillac Lyriq as a result of they’re battery electrical autos. Conversely, it does see the RX going up towards the likes of the BMW X5, the Acura MDX, and the Mercedes-Benz GLE. Amongst that group, solely the MDX can actually go toe to toe with it relating to pricing if our estimated beginning MSRP is appropriate.

Beginning round $50,000 would make the RX some of the well-rounded mid-luxury SUVs available on the market in the present day. To place that one other manner, there’s nobody particular side of the RX that’s unquestionably higher than the remainder of the sector however each side is effectively above common. That makes it a compelling competitor in a market that’s extra cluttered in the present day than Lexus execs in all probability might’ve imagined again when the primary RX debuted. You possibly can solely break floor on a mission as soon as however the brand new 2023 Lexus RX is including a brand new degree of high quality that others will now need to cope with.