Lexus launches seven-seat RX L

It’s been a long time coming, but the popular Lexus RX is finally available with seven seats.

Now on sale priced from under $85,000, the entry-level three-row RX ‘L’ line-up commands a $3280 price premium over the five-seat RX large SUV on which it’s based.

Unlike the standard RX range, however, the RX L is not available with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine or in sporty F Sport form, although Lexus Australia said it would welcome both versions.

For now, the RX L is available in just two equipment grades (Luxury and Sports Luxury) and with two powertrains: a 3.5-litre petrol V6 for the RX 350L and the electrically assisted RX 450h hybrid.

So the four-grade line-up spans the entry-level RX 350L Luxury ($84,700 plus on-road costs), the RX 450hL Luxury ($93,440), the RX 350L Sports Luxury ($101,500) and the RX 450hL Sport Luxury ($110,240).

Apart from an extra pair of rear seats housed within a stretched body that’s 110mm longer (at exactly five metres), 10mm higher and has a more vertical powered tailgate (wheelbase is unchanged), specifications are as per five-seat RX models.

First revealed at the Los Angeles motor show last November, the Lexus RX L has been more than 20 years in the making. Although it wasn’t sold in Australia, the first-generation RX was launched in Japan in 1997.

Lexus told motoring.com.au it was finally working on a seven-seat version of the RX at the launch of the fourth-generation model 2015, and three years later it finally has a rival for three-row large luxury SUVs like the Audi Q7 (from $97,800), BMW X5 (from $93,900) and Volvo XC90 ($93,900).

Given all those models are significantly more expensive, Lexus Australia has high hopes for the L, which is expected to account for up to 25 per cent of all RX sales, which in turn have comprised 22 per cent of all Lexus sales Down Under.

Lexus says that with the 50/50-split two-seat third row of seats upright, the RX L offers a class-leading cargo length of 566mm, equating to 176 litres of luggage space (211 litres measured to the roof), providing “ample space for a large stroller”.

Tilting the flat-folding third row, which also offers two cup-holders, liberates 432 litres of cargo space at the touch of a button, while folding the middle row delivers up to 966 litres in total.

One-touch levers on both sides of the vehicle can be used to fold and slide forward the second-row seats, the slide length for which has been extended 45mm forward. The second row of seats is also positioned slightly higher in the RX L, creating more foot room for rear passengers.

Meantime, a new three-zone air-conditioning system provides third-row occupants with dedicated vents and controls, and curtain-shield airbags have been extended to protect third-row passengers and an additional child-seat anchorage point is included.

The RX 450hL comes with the same Lexus Hybrid Drive system as in the RX 350L, meaning a total output of 230kW from its petrol-electric powertrain, which drives through an all-gear electronic CVT with six-step sequential-type shift.

However, the outputs of the RX 350L V6, which comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission, are reduced by 5kW to 216kW and by 12Nm to 358Nm, due to the packaging requirement of a single rather than dual exhaust system.

Fuel consumption for the RX 350L increases from 9.6 to 10.2L/100km, while the RX 450hL increases from 5.7 to 6.0L/100km.

The Lexus Safety System+ is standard across the range and has been upgraded to include pedestrian detection as part of its pre-collision system. LSS+ also includes all-speed radar active cruise control, lane keeping assist and automatic high beam (adaptive high-beam on Sports Luxury).

Other standard safety kit includes 10 airbags, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, reversing camera, hill-start assist control and tyre-pressure warning system.

Standard equipment across the range are LED headlights, daytime running lights and front fog lights, plus an 8.0-inch audio display screen, satellite navigation, 12 speakers, 20-inch alloy wheels with black centre caps, smart entry/start, roof rails and rear privacy glass.

Front seats are heated and ventilated with 10-way power adjustment and memory for the driver, and leather trim covering the front two rows of seats.

However, the third row is trimmed in “a durable synthetic covering to support regular folding of the seats”, says Lexus. A temporary spare is fitted.

The only options are premium paint, which costs $1500 across the range, and an ‘Enhancement pack’ for Luxury variants, which for $3500 includes a colour head-up display, moon roof and smart key card.

These three items are also part of the Sports Luxury grade that commands a price premium of just over $16,000, although a sun roof replaces the panoramic roof fitted to five-door variants and the second-row seats are manual instead of power-operated.

Sports Luxury flagship models gain adaptive variable suspension, 14-way power adjustment for the front seats, a 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, 12.3-inch display screen and panoramic view monitor.

“The new RX ‘L’ models will be welcomed by modern families and other customers who require the luxury of space and flexibility provided by seven seats,” said Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson.

“The option of a third row of seats offers Lexus drivers even greater practicality, convenience and roominess while maintaining the sleek styling and easy manoeuvrability they have always valued,” he said.

Lexus Australia has sold 33,500 RX models since the second generation arrived in April 2003, with hybrid versions accounting for 11 per cent of sales.

2018 Lexus RX L pricing (plus ORCs):
350L Luxury -- $84,700
450hL Luxury -- $93,440
350L Sports Luxury -- $101,500
450hL Sport Luxury -- $110,240

Options:
Enhancement pack (Luxury) -- $3500
Premium paint (all variants) -- $1500