From the Oct 2022 concern of Car or truck and Driver.
The 2023 Lexus RX has been fully redesigned, but even with some changes to the underhood components, it aims to provide drivers the exact feeling of luxury and ease and comfort that defined its predecessors. The new SUV is readily available as a gas-powered RX350, an RX350h hybrid, and a higher-executing RX500h hybrid. (You will find also a plug-in-hybrid RX450h+ that will join the lineup later.)
The most noticeable adjust in the SUV’s styling is to the spindle grille. This style aspect has always been polarizing, and the new one very likely will be also. Notably, the bulging transition from the far more upright trapezoidal reduced segment of the grille to the hood throws us off. The wheelbase is 2.4 inches for a longer time, and the rear overhang is shorter. The formerly available 3-row L model will get the sack. (It truly is very likely to be replaced by a new model named the TX.)
The entry-amount RX350 swaps very last year’s V-6 for a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four. Mated to an 8-speed computerized, it tends to make 275 horsepower and 317 pound-ft of torque. That is 20 less horses than past 12 months but an increase of 50 pound-ft. We be expecting the front-wheel-push RX350 will reach 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, though the all-wheel-drive variation ought to choose 6.9 seconds. The last RX350 F Sport we tested essential 6.7 seconds, which is relatively slow for the class.
The RX350h is the dependable and economical decide. Its hybrid powertrain now characteristics a nonturbo Atkinson-cycle 2.5-liter four, and gas economy is approximated at 36 mpg merged. A continuously variable transmission with two electric powered motors turns the front wheels, though a third electrical motor drives the rears. Blended output arrives to 246 horses and 233 pound-ft, which should get the RX350h to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds.
The RX500h represents a substantial-performance hybrid counterpoint, with the turbo-four motor from the RX350 and a a lot more potent rear electric powered motor that merge for 366 horsepower and 406 pound-ft. We expect it’s going to achieve 60 mph in 5.6 seconds.
None of these RX types, while, are especially sporty or exciting to generate. As a substitute, Lexus places consolation and luxurious in advance of overall performance, the very same method that has served the RX nicely for many years.
The RX350h feels unusually anemic, nevertheless, necessitating you to floor the accelerator to match the move of highway visitors. Meanwhile, the motor groans loudly as it labors and tends to make the RX350h sense slower than it is.
With a sizable soar in energy and a regular 6-pace automatic, the RX500h would not endure as terribly. It really is quicker to reply and breaks up the drone with classic shifts. It instills a great deal far more self-confidence but is even now no rocket, as it would get smoked by a BMW X5 xDrive40i, which reaches 60 mph in only 4.8 seconds.
Managing effectiveness isn’t going to fare any better. The gentle suspension tuning doesn’t motivate spirited driving, and undulations in the road tend to generate residual rebounds after the celebration. The brake pedal additional degrades assurance with its mushy truly feel and prolonged stroke.
Commonly, it is driver-support capabilities, a lot more than performance, that woo the Lexus shopper, and here the RX is ample. The adaptive cruise manage smoothly maintains a hole between cars, and we hardly ever professional fake alarms from the ahead-collision warning. We did get quite a few annoying untrue alarms from the driver-attention check, while. And the lane-maintaining help isn’t as sophisticated as rivals’ and tends to wander from edge to edge of a lane with drunken indecision. But we suppose that is why it has “support” in its identify.
The RX’s inside is most enhanced, particularly with regard to infotainment. Lexus ditches the outgoing SUV’s considerably-maligned trace-pad controller and alternatively switches to a touchscreen setup. A 9.8-inch device is normal, while a 14.-inch display is optional.
The dashboard is additional modern and putting than ahead of, but some cabin components, these as the plastic on the center console and the lighter-coloured phony woodgrain, still left us disappointed. By distinction, the combine of a lot more sizeable elements on the dash and the fabric door inserts are up to luxurious expectations.
Redesigned but not reimagined, the 2023 RX need to meet the expectations of returning Lexus customers who price quiet convenience more than potent effectiveness. Those extra accustomed to pricier German luxurious SUVs, on the other hand, will probably obtain the RX seeking in phrases of driving dynamics and inside high quality. Lexus, although, would seem cautious of majorly altering its first and well known method.
Specifications
Specs
2023 Lexus RX
Motor vehicle Form: entrance-engine, entrance-engine and entrance- and rear-motor, front- or all-wheel-generate, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
Selling price
Foundation (C/D est): $49,000–$60,000
POWERTRAINS
DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle 2.5-liter inline-4, 190 hp + 3 AC motors (put together output: 246 hp, 233 lb-ft) turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter inline-4, 275 hp, 317 lb-ft turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter inline-4, 275 hp, 317 lb-ft + 2 AC motors (combined output: 366 hp, 406 lb-ft)
TRANSMISSIONS
6-speed automated, 8-speed automated, continually variable computerized
Proportions
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Duration: 192.5 in
Width: 75.6 in
Peak: 67.3 in
Cargo Quantity: 30 ft3
Suppress Weight (C/D est): 4150–4750 lb
Performance (C/D EST)
60 mph: 5.6–7.8 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.4–16.1 sec
Prime Velocity: 112–130 mph
EPA Gasoline Economic climate (C/D EST)
Blended/Metropolis/Highway: 24–36/21–37/28–34 mpg
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