A Closer Look At The 2023 Lexus RX Trims

For 2023, the Lexus RX luxury crossover comes with design changes, more powertrains, and trims than ever before.

With Lexus’ first crossover offering, the RX 300, one could argue that the luxury crossover segment was invented by the company with a spacious two-row SUV that offered all the quality and comfort that one would expect of a luxury brand. The nameplate, however, has become the archetype of a mobile appliance over the last few decades, something that is dependable and user-friendly but often needs to be more exciting simply because it represents a mobile appliance. With the 2023 Lexus RX, that changes, as the vehicle combines aggressive styling with the newfound athleticism of the brand-new RX 500h F Sport Performance, an incredible vehicle that is just right for a household of sports lovers. 

As for this non-hybrid Lexus, it has the same gasoline engine, even though it is not equipped with the hybrid boost, and it makes more torque than its predecessor with its V6 petrol engine. A turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine power the car’s front wheels, while torque-splitting electric motors are installed at the rear axle to provide a combined output of 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The RX 350h also comes with a 2.5-liter electrified four-cylinder engine that is sure to compete and win over any average SUV.

Taking Performance To The Next Level 

In its fifth generation, the RX will feature a brand-new design. It is expected to hit the US shores by the end of 2022. There will be a wide range of powertrains to choose from and regular, and F Sport trims. The RX500h F Sport Performance trim will be the sportiest model; it is equipped with a 367-hp hybrid engine and an all-wheel-drive system as standard.

From a total of four different powertrain options, the base RX350 model is powered by a 275-hp, four-cylinder turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with direct fuel injection. A front-wheel-drive model comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while an all-wheel-drive version is available as an option, too. In the hybrid configuration, the RX350h is equipped with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that generates 246 horsepower through the use of electric motors while a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive help it attain that exceptional performance.

The RX500h F Sport Performance makes the most of its punchy powertrain thanks to its striking exterior design. A turbocharged 2.4-liter engine combined with an electric motor generates 367 horsepower and uses Lexus’ Direct4 system to distribute that power equally to all four wheels as a result of its turbocharging. The RX500h model has offered Lexus an opportunity to recast the new RX as a performer. Unfortunately, the engineers should have taken the opportunity to give the vehicle additional cornering confidence.  

It is also expected that Lexus will add a plug-in hybrid model later to the lineup, dubbed the RX450h+. Although Lexus still needs to release specifications for that model, we can expect to see a powertrain with 302 horsepower, like that found in the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Lexus NX450h+.

There has yet to be a response to that question from the EPA. However, Lexus has claimed that the most efficient RX model will be the RX350h. According to Lexus, this model is rated at 37 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. As a hybrid, the RX500h is claimed to have a fuel economy of 28 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while the non-hybrid RX350 may have a fuel economy rating as high as 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

In The Lap of Luxury 

As of 2023, the RX is only available as a two-row, five-seat SUV but is not available as any other SUV model. A two-row configuration and a three-row configuration were offered back in the outgoing model. A three-row model may be manufactured sometime in the future, or the RX L may be replaced with an entirely redesigned and larger SUV with a standard third row of seats. 

Compared to the 2022 RX model, the 2023 RX’s interior design is more contemporary and has textured fabric sections on the upper door panels and rich-looking ambient lighting, while on the RX350 models, open-pore wood trim appears as an elegant finishing touch. Among the features of the RX500h F Sport Performance is more heavily bolstered front seats, black interior trim, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and aluminum pedals integrated into the footwell.

In addition to the 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen mounted right in the center of the highly redesigned dashboard of the RX, a larger 14-inch touchscreen is also available. As with the RX’s infotainment display, which is situated slightly towards the driver, this screen also uses Lexus’ most recent software interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features across the entire lineup, though there are a few optional extras, such as GPS, a head-up display, and a Mark Levinson stereo system. 

Even though the outgoing RX was perfectly fine, its trackpad-operated infotainment system, somewhat noisy cabin, and peaky V6 did make it feel a bit dated and unattractive. It will soon be possible to purchase a plug-in hybrid RX 450h+, which is likely to use the powertrain from the NX PHEV. However, even before that, the Lexus crossovers offer something for every buyer, be it efficiency, balance, or the pure joy of driving a Lexus.