New Lexus RX priced ahead of early 2023 arrival

The new 2023 Lexus RX range will be priced from $87,500 plus on-road costs when it arrives in Australia in the first quarter of 2023, when the all-new large premium SUV line-up will consist of six core variants and eight optional enhancement packs.

That new starting figure is almost $15,300 steeper than the outgoing version’s, but applies to the considerably more powerful and advanced RX 350h Luxury as opposed to the existing RX300 Luxury, the latter of which hasn’t been carried over as part of the new range.

All-wheel drive adds another $2500 to the equation for the new base model, with drive coming from a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain good for 184kW.

While they may be the base models in terms of their positioning and pricing, the RX 350h Luxury twins aren’t short of standard equipment with highlights including 19-inch alloys, bi-LED headights, auto-dimming mirrors, rear privacy glass, eight-way adjustable heated front seats, synthetic leather trim, tri-zone climate control, electrically adjustable steering column, paddle shifters, ambient lighting and a powered tailgate.

Infotainment duties are taken care of by Lexus’ new 14-inch touch-screen system featuring smartphone mirroring, satellite-navigation, DAB+ digital radio and the latest suite of Lexus Connected Services.

Priced from $99,990, the RX 350 F Sport swaps out the familiar hybrid powertrain for a new 205kW/430Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol unit that drives all four wheels via an equally new eight-speed automatic transmission – the hybrids use a CVT.

As usual, the F Sport nomenclature brings more than just a sportier aesthetic – bigger wheels, body kit and black trim – but this time also adds adaptive dampers and six-piston front brake callipers behind those enlarged alloys.

It also adds a series of sporty touches within the cabin, like a dimpled steering wheel and gear lever, scuff plates, aluminium pedals, heated and ventilated F Sport seats, coloured head-up display and a higher-grade instrument cluster with F Sport read-outs.

Other additions include automatic and auto-levelling three-projector Bi-LED headlights, cornering lamps, tailgate kick sensor, easy access driver’s seat, touch-type steering wheel controls, wireless smartphone charging, Active Noise Control and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system.

The Sports Luxury (from $105,900) grade goes another step beyond that with 10-way power-adjustable front seats with semi-aniline leather upholstery and memory function, heated steering wheel with woodgrain ornamentation, power-folding and reclining rear seats, heated and ventilated outboard rear seats and unique 21-inch alloys.

Both of the aforementioned powertrains are available on the Sports Luxury trim level, albeit exclusively with all-wheel drive.

At the top of the food chain is the RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD ($126,000 plus ORCs), which as stated packs a 273kW/550Nm turbo-hybrid punch.

The shove is provided by a hybridised – two electric motors – version of the new 2.4-litre turbo-petrol engine and harnessed by a unique six-speed automatic transmission that sends drive to all four wheels via a more aggressive and capable ‘DIRECT4’ all-wheel drive system.

Figures out of North American suggest the new flagship RX will hit 100km/h in around six seconds, but it does so loaded to the roof with standard equipment pinched both from the lesser variants and all of the applicable enhancement packs.

Lexus says the inclusion of the “Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system incorporating Dynamic Rear Steering maximises handling and grip” helps make the flagship RX the “sharpest, most responsive and fun-to-drive Lexus SUV yet”.

All new Lexus RX variants feature the latest Lexus Safety Sense+ active safety suite, which comprises a 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 monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, among other features.

How much does the 2023 Lexus RX cost?
350h Luxury 2WD – $87,500
350h Luxury AWD – $92,000
350 F Sport AWD – $99,900
350 Sports Luxury AWD – $105,900
350h Sports Luxury AWD – $111,900
500h F Sport Performance AWD – $126,000
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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