The Lexus RX is quietly one among America’s hottest and necessary automobiles. It’s the best-selling product of Toyota’s
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luxurious division yr after yr and one of many 5 automobiles luxurious automobile customers are more than likely to contemplate. Its stability of serene driving expertise and reliable resale worth is nearly proper. Lexus shouldn’t change it a lot.
However it’s time to redesign it. The 2022 RX is predicated on a 2015 design. Drivers’ tastes have modified up to now eight years, with new applied sciences and costlier gasoline altering our expectations of our automobiles.
Can Lexus maintain the virtues that make the RX the fitting reply for therefore many consumers and replace it to maintain it related for one more eight years?
Enter the 2023 Lexus RX, with new hybrid powertrains, new cabin expertise, and the identical repute for reliability that made the outdated RX conquer the midsize luxurious crossover SUV market.
It goes on sale close to the tip of the yr. We anticipate to be taught pricing nearer to that point. The present RX begins at $46,995 and stretches to the over $60,000 absolutely outfitted.
The 2023 Lexus RX
Lexus
A good-looking evolution
The 2023 RX shares a platform with the smaller Lexus NX and the Toyota RAV4. These are less-expensive SUVs, which could have you ever questioning whether or not the brand new RX will really feel as refined because it ought to. However Toyota has lengthy made many automobiles out of some platforms with nice success. The brand new structure is lighter than the outdated one, which could even make the driving expertise extra responsive.
It’s additionally decrease – so low that we is likely to be tempted to name the RX a wagon if automakers didn’t must market most automobiles as SUVs lately.
The 2023 RX retains the curvy design theme the mannequin is understood for. However designers have up to date the look with a sharper edge to the hood and a floating roof design due to a blacked-out C-pillar that reaches the tail lamps. For those who’re paying consideration, you’ll discover that the trademark Lexus spindle grille is actually gone. It’s an enormous black trapezoid right here, with dimples within the painted sheet steel above suggesting the higher portion of the outdated hourglass.
The 2023 Lexus RX
Lexus
4 powertrains, three hybrid
Consumers can select from 4 powertrains, none of which function the V-6 engines which were a staple of the Lexus lineup for therefore lengthy.
As a substitute, the brand new engine within the base RX 350 is a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder making 275 horsepower. It sends energy by means of an 8-speed computerized transmission to the entrance wheels, with all-wheel-drive obtainable.
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The RX 350h will get a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder mated to a hybrid system and works by means of a repeatedly variable transmission (CVT). That setup is sweet for 246 horsepower.
A plug-in hybrid RX 450h+ is on its means. However Lexus says, “car particulars for the U.S. market can be shared at a later time.”
On the prime of the lineup, a brand new RX 500h F Sport Efficiency version seems with each trick within the Lexus bag. It combines the turbocharged 4-cylinder from the 350 with a pair of electrical motors – one per axle – working by means of a sport-tuned 6-speed computerized transmission. That’s sufficient for 367 horsepower whereas nonetheless managing 26 mpg in mixed driving.
Additionally see: The 8 best hybrids you can get for under $40,000
Up to date cabin, security tech
The inside is a wholly new search for Lexus. Moderately than screens built-in into the floor of the dashboard, it appears to be like as if the motive force’s instrument display and obtainable 14-inch central touchscreen hover over the sprint. Ambient lighting behind them provides to the impact.
After all, this being a Lexus, leather-based traces the seats and dashboard. However designers lined the door panels in a fabric that appears like wool, creating extra visible depth than we’re used to from Lexus merchandise. It’s a good-looking look.
Just like the all-new NX, the inside door latches aren’t latches in any respect. What Lexus calls an “e-latch” opens the door at a contact – however engineers in-built a mechanical backup for emergencies.
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The Lexus Security System 3.0 suite of driver aids is normal. It consists of computerized emergency braking with pedestrian and bike detection, adaptive cruise management that varies velocity by means of curves, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping help. The automated parking setting now handles each back-in and head-in parking maneuvers.
Keep tuned for pricing info and our driving impressions of the all-new 2023 Lexus RX nearer to its launch towards the tip of this yr.
This story initially ran on KBB.com.
