On Friday, October 22, Lexus revealed the full range for the RX premium crossover in Japan. For the first time ever, the luxury best-seller is available with a 2-liter turbocharged engine, which it borrows from the smaller NX model.
As in Europe, the RX 200t serves as the entry-level model, being over one million yen cheaper than the RX 450h. It's available with both 2WD and AWD, matching a 6-speed automatic gearbox to a turbo engine that makes 238PS at 4,800rpm and 350Nm (258lb-ft) of torque from 1,650rpm. Prices start at 4,950,000 yen ($41,125), and you can also order this engine with the F Sport package.
The other powertrain available is a THSII hybrid drive with a reduction mechanism, although one that's significantly more powerful than the one used by the NX 300h. The new RX 450h model matches a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with two electric motors for a final output of 313PS, so it's a little more powerful than the old model.
That's probably a good thing too because this crossover SUV is a little bigger than the old one. With a body measuring 4890 × 1895 × 1710mm (total length × overall width × height), the new RX is 120mm longer than its predecessor and 20mm taller.
The design is similar to other new Lexus models, but there are a few talking points. For example, the 3-eye LED headlights now also have an arrow at the bottom, a trademark of their design only introduced in 2015. However, basic models come with a monocular projector type of LED headlight. Around the back, you may notice that the RX 200t models have one big exhaust tip on each side, while the 450h is pipe-less.
Version L high-spec models come with two 11.6-inch displays integrated into the back of the seats. A 4.2-inch color TFT is wedged between the instruments, and a large 12.3-inch screen is perched on top of the dashboard.
The other powertrain available is a THSII hybrid drive with a reduction mechanism, although one that's significantly more powerful than the one used by the NX 300h. The new RX 450h model matches a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with two electric motors for a final output of 313PS, so it's a little more powerful than the old model.
That's probably a good thing too because this crossover SUV is a little bigger than the old one. With a body measuring 4890 × 1895 × 1710mm (total length × overall width × height), the new RX is 120mm longer than its predecessor and 20mm taller.
The design is similar to other new Lexus models, but there are a few talking points. For example, the 3-eye LED headlights now also have an arrow at the bottom, a trademark of their design only introduced in 2015. However, basic models come with a monocular projector type of LED headlight. Around the back, you may notice that the RX 200t models have one big exhaust tip on each side, while the 450h is pipe-less.
Version L high-spec models come with two 11.6-inch displays integrated into the back of the seats. A 4.2-inch color TFT is wedged between the instruments, and a large 12.3-inch screen is perched on top of the dashboard.