The redesigned 2023 Lexus RX made its global debut during a special event hosted at the automaker’s headquarters in Plano, Texas.
The first-generation Lexus RX was one of the first true luxury crossovers when it launched in 1999, helping to establish what is now one of the most popular and heavily contested vehicle segments in the entire industry.
This latest take on the Lexus RX introduces a new unibody platform dubbed GA-K, which reduces the weight of the vehicle by roughly 90 kilograms over the outgoing model. This new platform is also 2.36 inches longer than the old model, but Lexus cleverly reduced the length of the bumper overhangs by the exact same amount. This means this new RX is a bit more spacious inside than the model it replaces but retains the same overall length.
A total of four powertrains will be offered in the Lexus RX, although it’s not yet clear if all of them will be available in Canada from launch. The base RX 350 model is the only non-hybrid, featuring a 275-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine as standard. Next is the 246-horsepower RX350h, which pairs a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder with a front-mounted electric drive unit. The RX 500h F Sport Performance will be the quickest model offered at launch, producing 367 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.4-litre engine and high-output, rear axle-mounted electric motor. Lexus is keeping details on the RX 450h+ model quiet for now, so stay tuned for information on the new RX plug-in hybrid at a later date.
Moving inside, the new RX features a large available 14-inch multimedia display, which is joined by an available head-up display and digital instrument cluster display. The automaker says the crossover will be offered in six interior colour options with four decorative trim options. Available interior colours from launch will include Macadamia, Black, Birch, Palomino, Peppercorn and Rioja Red, while interior trim options include Black Cascade, Ash Bamboo and Black Open Pore wood, along with a Dark Graphite aluminum option.
Predictably, the latest Lexus RX also ups the ante in regard to active safety features. The new Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of safety tech comes standard, which includes dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and a new motorcycle detection feature.
The 2023 Lexus RX will be offered in seven trim levels in Canada, including Premium, Luxury, Ultra-Luxury, Executive, F SPORT 1, F SPORT 2 and F SPORT 3. Pricing will be divulged closer to its official on-sale date in late 2022.
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