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2016 Lexus RX 350 F Sport and RX 450h Show Up in NYC

I know you’ve been waiting a heck of a long time for the fourth-generation Lexus RX, so I’ll cut straight to the chase. With the 2016 Lexus RX, the Japanese brand provides an alternative for mid-size luxury SUV buyers.
2016 Lexus RX 12 photos
Photo: Lexus
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By alternative, I’m not referring to something which is cheaper than a BMW X5 or a more exclusive machine than the Mercedes ML. I mean GLE, sorry. Put simply, the best-selling model in Lexus’ 26-year history and the best-selling hybrid Lexus of all time has an edge.

Some may glance at it then say to themselves “Hmm, the Lexus NX got fat.” They got a point, you know, but that’s not a bad thing. Currently, the mid-size luxury SUV segment is laden with too curvaceous models.

With the sharp exterior lines and Japanese styling cues, the RX has that seductive je ne sais quoi about it.

“Our ambition has been to make a bold and completely new statement in this segment while building on and staying true to the pioneering values of previous RX generations,” declared Takayuki Katsuda, the chief engineer of the all-new Lexus RX. The aggressive spindle grille, muscular fenders and triple L-shaped LED headlights are my personal aesthetic highlights.

I won’t bore you to death with the details, so I’ll keep it short. At launch, the 2016 Lexus RX will be available as a 350 and 450h. The entry-level RX 350 benefits from a 3.5L V6 (300 HP) mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. As for the hybridized derivative, the Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V6 and electric motor generator duo promise “a combined output in around 300 HP.”

There’s no info on fuel economy or all-electric range though...

Before you read everything Lexus wants us to know about the fourth-gen RX at the present moment, we deem necessary to highlight two other things. First, the F Sport treatment is an available feature for all-wheel drive models as well. Then there’s the AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension) system. This gizmo is promising dynamic handling and regal ride comfort thanks to the adaptive shock absorbers it makes use of.

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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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