Lexus RX - Always energized

Lexus is one of the pioneers among SUV manufacturers. The RX is now in its fifth generation. The luxury SUV only comes with electricity support.

As the Lexus 1998 with the RX 300 presented the world's first SUV in the premium sector, many still classified this long-legged vehicle type as a trendy quirk from the playful States of America. Nothing for us, too big, too expensive, too drinkable. Today we are smarter. The SUV share in Germany is around 40 percent and especially in the luxury sector, the SUV puts its makers in a good mood and makes dream margins.

Old length, new platform

Almost 25 years and over 3,5 million units later, Lexus is now introducing the fifth generation of the RX. 95 percent of the luxury SUV should be new. At 4,89 meters, it is just as long as the current generation, like the two recently introduced NX and the first electric SUV RZ, the RX uses the GA-K platform.  

Visually, the global bestseller from the Japanese is a further development of the new, so-called "Next Chapter" design language. That means: the mighty diabolo grille is almost completely integrated into the width of the front of the vehicle. This is said to give the RX an “electrifying power”. The LED headlights with their L-shaped daytime running lights have a sharper cut, and the front track has been widened by 1,5 centimetres. Overall, however, the new RX looks rather slimmer, which is due to the longer bonnet, the roof line that has been lowered by 1,5 centimeters (height 1,71 meters) and the wheelbase that has been lengthened by an impressive 6 centimeters to 2,85 meters.

The side line, with the roof sloping backwards, looks more coupé-like, the floating roof seems to be supported loosely on the rear, black roof pillars, the 21-inch wheels are snug in the now smaller wheel arches. The powerful rear features a distinctive, continuous light bar and the new Lexus logo in capital letters. The rear track has also been widened, by a hefty 4 centimeters.

Everything on board

We move inside to the Taskuna cockpit, named after the Japanese word for "the reins of the horse." The rider should have everything under control intuitively. Controlling the vehicle, operating the multimedia unit with its 14-inch touchscreen, everything. We will check it intuitively during the first test drives in autumn. Of course also the new navigation system, which is now cloud-based and should show the way much better, faster and more precisely. 

lexus-rx
In the base, there should also be an interior made of animal-free leather for the first time

Lexus emphasizes that for the first time there will also be an interior made of animal-free leather in the base. Completely vegan, because many customers would have an appetite for it. Velvet black and pergamon white are available as colors for the imitation leather. 

slimmed

Lexus uses the larger wheelbase to create noticeably more space for the rear passengers, since it is now much more relaxed. The luggage compartment is five centimeters longer, the loading sill has been lowered by three centimetres, and the redesigned tailgate allows you to take one or two more bags with you.

Automatically saved design
A five centimeter longer loading space is available for luggage

The use of lightweight materials, including aluminum for the fenders and bonnet, has reduced the weight of the new RX by 90 kilograms to under two tons. Good prerequisites for the new, exclusively electrified drives. At the turn of the year, the RX will be launched in three hybrid versions. RX 350h with 2,5 liter petrol engine and fourth generation hybrid is at the bottom of the RX food chain. 180 kW/245 hp are on its calling card. It should go from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,0 seconds, Lexus specifies the consumption as 6,4 to 6,7 liters and praises it as an alternative to the economical diesel drive. 

65 km electric


Above that is the first RX with a plug-in hybrid, identical to the PHEV in the NX. As a 450h+ it delivers 225 kW/306 hp. The 450h+ should do the standard sprint in 7,0 seconds, and Lexus promises a purely electric range of at least 65 kilometers and – as with all plug-in hybrids – absurdly low consumption of 1,1 to 1,2 liters / 100 km.

The top performer of the new RX family will be the 500h, the first Lexus hybrid with a turbo petrol engine. Its system with a 2,4-liter four-cylinder delivers 273 kW/371 hp and distributes its power via a six-speed automatic converter. Rapid 6,0 seconds for the sprint to 100 km/h are on paper. The front electric motor sits between the combustion engine and the gearbox, while at the rear an 80 kW electric axle forms a compact package of motor, gearbox and control unit. Depending on the driving situation, the optimal allocation of power takes place in milliseconds and thus significantly faster than any mechanical system, the new all-wheel drive that Lexus just presented in the RZ 450e. Steering rear wheels should ensure that cornering is as dynamic as possible. 

Lexus is hoping for more new customers from Europe

As further highlights of their new SUV flagship, the Japanese praise the new multi-link rear suspension, the digital rear-view mirror that delivers real-time images via the reversing camera, the fully automatic parking system, known from the LS luxury sedan, and the new active steering assistant, which helps the driver imminent collisions supported by independent avoidance. 

The main markets for the RX will again be the USA and China, the loss of the Russian market is really hurting the Toyota subsidiary. Lexus is planning around 2023 units in Europe for 12.300, with half of the buyers being new customers. The Japanese are not yet naming prices, but they are likely to rise noticeably. 65.000 euros for the entry-level RX 350h does not seem unrealistic.

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