The all-new Lexus RX will offer customers the choice of two electrified powertrains including a top-of-the-range turbocharged performance hybrid – a first for Lexus – in what will be the most powerful and dynamic RX ever offered in Australia.
That high-performance hybrid hero is the RX 500h F Sport Performance, which headlined the public reveal of the RX in Australia last week at Flemington Racecourse during the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
The new-generation SUV has been completely reimagined in the way it looks and drives and is set to shake up the luxury SUV segment when it arrives in Lexus showrooms in the first quarter of 2023.
It will be priced from $87,500 plus on-road costs.
The RX 500h F Sport Performance uses a high-performance 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 from the electric motors it sets a new standard for the Lexus Driving Signature.
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 for a traditional sporty flavour.
A second intelligent hybrid powertrain producing 184kW propels the RX 350h models, bringing to three the number of powertrain options for buyers.
The RX is the third Lexus SUV to be completely re-engineered in 2022, demonstrating the Lexus commitment to continual product improvement alongside the NX and LX.
The generously appointed, 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 new-generation RX models feature safe exit assist (SEA) incorporating new e-latch electrically activated door handles which can detect cyclists or vehicles passing close to the vehicle and can keep the door closed to avoid a collision.
The blend of sharp styling and strong specification continues inside the cabin, with Luxury grades receiving 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 latest Lexus multimedia system displayed on an expansive 14-inch high-definition touchscreen, compatible with Android Auto™3 and wireless Apple CarPlay® with sophisticated 12-speaker Panasonic® sound.
The system offers in-built satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio and full Lexus Connected Services functionality, providing further convenience and peace of mind.
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.
A comprehensive suite of Lexus Safety Sense + active safety features are included across the RX range, including 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, rear cross traffic alert, and more.
New features include the driver monitor camera which assesses the driver’s state of attention when on the road.
Both the 350h Luxury 2WD and AWD are available with an optional Enhancement Pack (EP) for an additional $5100(2WD) and $5500 (AWD). It comprises panoramic moonroof, leather-accented seat trim, ventilated front seats, easy access seat, driver’s seat memory, touch-sensitive steering-wheel controls linked with the head-up display, high-grade instrument cluster display, smart key card and wireless phone charger.
The RX 350 F Sport with turbocharged petrol engine available exclusively in AWD is priced at $99,900.
F Sport 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.
F Sport also delivers improved road handling with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and superior stopping power with aluminium monobloc six-piston callipers for next level Lexus Driving Signature enjoyment.
The F Sport 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 for exceptional sound reproduction.
Additional safety features include a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) and Adaptive High-Beam System (AHS).
RX 350 F Sport customers can choose the $3000 EP 1 adding a sliding panoramic roof or EP 2 which also adds a digital rear-view mirror, Intelligent Parking Assist8 and heated steering wheel for an extra $11001.
For customers seeking even more luxury comforts, the AWD RX 350 petrol and RX 350h offer a Sports Luxury specification, priced at $105,900 and $111,900, respectively.
Sports Luxury 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. 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.
The RX 350 and RX 350h Sports Luxury can be optioned with two Enhancement Packs, the first of which adds a sliding panoramic roof for $30001. EP 2 also adds a digital rear view mirror and Intelligent Parking Assist for an additional $900.
Topping the all-new RX range is the RX 500h F Sport Performance – the most powerful and driver-focused RX yet – debuting the brand’s first high-performance turbocharged hybrid powertrain.
Priced from $126,000 plus on-road costs, the RX 500h F Sport Performance is available in a single, highly specified 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, building on the excellent interior specification of the RX 350 F Sport plus EP 2.
F Sport Performance also takes F Sport’s improved dynamics to the next level. The Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system incorporating Dynamic Rear Steering maximises handling and grip to thrust the 500h F Sport Performance forward as the sharpest, most responsive and fun-to-drive Lexus SUV yet.
A total of nine exterior colours are available for Luxury and Sports Luxury grades, consisting of Sonic Quartz, Titanium, Sonic Chrome, Sonic Iridium, Graphite Black, Vermillion, Khaki Metal, Deep Blue and the newly developed Sonic Copper.
F Sport grades replace Sonic Quartz, Titanium, Vermillion and Khaki Metal with White Nova and Cobalt Mica, while the F Sport Performance palette matches the F Sport bar the loss of Deep Blue.
Model |
Price MLP* |
| RX 350h Luxury 2WD | $87,500 |
| RX 350h Luxury 2WD + Enhancement Pack | $92,600 |
| RX 350h Luxury AWD | $92,000 |
| RX 350h Luxury AWD + Enhancement Pack | $97,500 |
| RX 350 F Sport AWD | $99,900 |
| RX 350 F Sport AWD + Enhancement Pack 1 | $102,900 |
| RX 350 F Sport AWD + Enhancement Pack 2 | $104,000 |
| RX 350 Sports Luxury AWD | $105,900 |
| RX 350 Sports Luxury AWD + Enhancement Pack 1 | $108,900 |
| RX 350 Sports Luxury AWD + Enhancement Pack 2 | $109,800 |
| RX 350h Sports Luxury AWD | $111,900 |
| RX 350h Sports Luxury AWD + Enhancement Pack 1 | $114,900 |
| RX 350h Sports Luxury AWD + Enhancement Pack 2 | $115,800 |
| RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD | $126,000 |
*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)
