2023 Lexus RX.

The mission for the exterior design team was to give the new RX a unique identity with proportions born from its dynamic driving experience. This approach marks further development of the “Next Chapter” Lexus design, introduced with the new generation NX model, through which the styling directly communicates the car's performance and the quality of the driving experience. At the same time as the designers could look to the future, there was also a requirement to project the quality of Lexus as a global luxury brand and for the new model to be recognisably an RX, with details that reference its heritage. These diverse qualities are witnessed in a car that projects a powerful road presence and performance potential, with a bold appearance and firmly planted stance. The sense of “newness” is immediate and strong, giving the car visual impact to match the quality of its three new electrified powertrains. Next Chapter design has taken the spindle shape from the signature Lexus grille to create a new spindle body effect, integrating the shape into the entire front of the vehicle. The grille itself has been reinterpreted as a seamless unit that integrates with the body along its edges. The new slim headlight units and a front track that is wider by 15 mm add emphasis to the car's lower centre of gravity and planted look.

In side-on view, a horizontal posture was created by raising the front of the bonnet and lowering the bottom edge of the rear window, compared to the current RX. This compresses the area above the wheels, creating a solid, well-grounded look.

RX 500h:

The RX 500h marks a breakthrough in hybrid electric technology that sets it apart from any hybrid model that has gone before. Lexus has successfully shifted the focus from optimum efficiency to produce a model with a genuine performance edge, raising the RX's appeal with customers who want high-end electrified performance. It uses a completely new parallel hybrid architecture, featuring a turbocharged 2.4-litre turbo petrol engine and six-speed transmission, integrated front motor and power control unit, hybrid battery and a compact 76 kW rear e-axle. Total system output is 371 DIN hp/273 kW with 550 Nm of torque, giving 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.2 seconds. The front electric motor is positioned between the engine and the transmission (which has a clutch on both sides), enabling great flexibility in power delivery and the ability for the vehicle to run in all-electric EV mode. The hybrid control system automatically switches between parallel and EV modes according to the driving situation, giving both powerful acceleration and fuel efficiency. While performance is at a level typical for a 3.0-litre V6 petrol model, the RX 500h's hybrid system can deliver around a 20% improvement in fuel economy. The driver experiences powerful performance and drivability characterised by a direct, “torqueful” feel with minimal delay between pressing the accelerator and drive force being delivered to all four wheels. The RX 500h uses a new low-resistance nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery unit that delivers high output while supporting fuel economy. It has a bipolar structure and adopts new high-output components. It is installed beneath the car's rear seat, avoiding loss of cabin or load space and is quieter, thanks to refinement of its air cooling system.

RX 450h+: the first plug-in hybrid electric RX

The plug-in hybrid system deployed in the RX 450h+ is the same as that which Lexus debuted to great success in the all-new NX. It features a four-cylinder Atkinson cycle 2.5-litre hybrid engine and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with 18.1 kWh capacity. An additional rear electric motor enables Lexus E-Four full-time all-wheel drive. While it offers similar power to the outgoing RX 450h, it produces more torque and faster acceleration. Total output is 309 DIN hp, which is expected to enable 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.5 seconds. The battery's size and capacity and Lexus's electrification know-how combine to deliver significantly lower fuel consumption and emissions. Lexus' target CO2 emissions (WLTP combined cycle) are below 26 g/km with fuel economy of less than 1.2 l/100 km. An EV driving range of more than 65 kilometres is expected, with all-electric driving possible at speeds up to 130 km/h. The Lexus plug-in hybrid system offers a critical benefit that sets the RX 450h+ apart from its rivals. When the battery charge is depleted, the vehicle switches seamlessly to its self-charging hybrid system, maintaining high fuel and emissions efficiency. This is in contrast to most other manufacturers' systems, where the powertrain defaults to its internal combustion engine. Lexus expects the RX 450h+ will be its core RX model, a logical step-up for many of its current RX 450h customers and consequently the best-selling RX in Western and Central Europe.

RX 350h:

The new RX 350h is characterised by the improved smoothness and efficiency of its fourth-generation self-charging hybrid electric system. This 2.5-litre petrol drivetrain provides 250 DIN hp and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 7.9 seconds, performance comparable with the current RX 450h, while at the same time producing lower emissions. It benefits from the same programme of hybrid component improvements featured in the RX 450h+, including a new hybrid transaxle with a more compact design, lighter weight (~22% mass reduction) and reduced friction losses and a smaller (~ 9% volume reduction) and more efficient PCU. It is equipped with e-Four electric all-wheel drive as standard. The RX 350h is a strong alternative to competitor models powered by small-displacement engines and ideal for customers who prioritise comfort and efficiency.

RX 350:

Offered exclusively in Eastern Europe, the new RX 350 is powered by a 2.4-litre turbocharged four cylinder gasoline unit that develops 279 DIN hp (249 DIN hp in certain markets) and 430 Nm of torque, which is substantially higher performance than previously. Its strength is matched by the rapid response of a Direct Shift eight-speed automatic transmission with shorter ratios. A brand-new, electronically controlled, permanent all-wheel drive system ensures power is effectively transmitted in low-grip conditions such as gravel tracks. Torque allocation between the front and rear axles can be adjusted from 75:25 to 50:50 according to the driving conditions.