Lexus RX 2023: Australian pricing and specifications revealed for all-new generation SUV

2 November 2022

Turbocharged and electrified powertrains will be available for the new-gen RX, with the model starting from $87,500 before on-road costs

Lexus has released the Australian pricing and specifications for its new-generation RX luxury SUV that will start from $87,500 before on-road costs.

Both electrified and non-electrified variants will be available at launch, including what Lexus calls “the most powerful and dynamic RX ever offered in Australia” – the RX500h F Sport.

A competitor for the Audi Q7, Volvo XC90 and BMW X5, the new Lexus RX is the third Lexus SUV to be re-engineered in 2022, following the NX and LX models.

Lexus RX 2023 front 3/4 driving — The Lexus RX will launch during the first quarter of 2023

The entry-level RX model, the RX350h, will begin at $87,500 before on-road costs, while the range-topping RX500h F Sport Performance will be priced at $126,000 before on-road costs.

The RX is now in its fifth generation and under the skin is closely related to the new-generation Toyota Kluger, with both sharing the TNGA-K platform.

The 2023 Lexus RX is set for launch in Australia during the first quarter of 2023.

Lexus RX 2023 bronze front 3/4 — The RX will compete with cars such as the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90

What drivetrains are offered with the 2023 Lexus RX?

Lexus is offering three powertrain configurations for the RX SUV, with both hybrid and non-hybrid options available for 2023.

The RX in 350h guise is powered by a hybrid 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 184kW of power. This powertrain is available in Luxury and Sports Luxury variants.

Lexus RX 2023 group — The Lexus RX range for 2023

For those wanting a pure-combustion option, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine will be available for the 350 F Sport trim level and will produce outputs of 205kW/430Nm.

The flagship RX500h F Sport Performance will use a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 273KW of power thanks to a parallel-hybrid setup. This powertrain is assisted by a pair of electric motors to power all-four wheels using Lexus’ Direct4 all-wheel drive system.

Lexus RX variant breakdown for 2023

The grade breakdown of the RX follows Lexus’s usual formula, kicking off with the entry-level Luxury followed by the F Sport, Sports Luxury and the new flagship F Sport Performance – however not all grades can be paired to all drivetrains.

Lexus RX 2023 rear driving — Three powertrains are available for the 2023 RX

Those who are after the RX 350h hybrid are offered either the Luxury and Sports Luxury grades, while the petrol-only RX 350 can be had in both Luxury and Sports Luxury. The F Sport Performance trim applies only to the RX 500h high-performance hybrid.

Luxury

All RX models come standard with a 14.0-inch centre touchscreen with in-built technology including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as digital radio and satellite navigation. The standard stereo consists of a 12-speaker Panasonic system.

The RX Luxury grades come fitted with eight-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, with the cabin also featuring three-zone climate control and synthetic leather upholstery, a power-adjustable steering wheel and a power tailgate.

Lexus RX 2023 rear 3/4 white — The Lexus RX will start from $87,500 before on-road costs

Lexus has fitted its new-generation large SUV with a driver monitoring system, building on the list of other active safety features including forwards AEB with intersection detection, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic and accidental accelerator use suppression.

Buyers of the RX Luxury grade are also offered an additional Enhancement package, which adds several features including a ventilation for the front seats, panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, driver’s seat position memory, a digital driver’s display, wireless phone charger and touch-sensitive steering wheel controls.

F Sport

Living up to its name, the RX 350 F Sport changes not only the look of the seven-seater but also the way it drives.

Lexus adds 21-inch alloy wheels, a unique front and rear bumper design as well as black exterior trimmings to give it a sharper look. Drivers also benefit from Lexus’s performance-focused adaptive variable suspension and stronger six-position callipers.

Other notable features include a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, a colour head-up display, wireless phone charging projector-style LED headlights, a kick sensor for the tailgate, a smart key card, sunshades in the second row and ambient lighting.

The RX 350 F Sport builds on the standard safety features by adding a 360-degree camera and a matrix LED light system that prevents the car from blinding upcoming traffic.

The Lexus RX500h is the flagship of the range

Lexus offers F Sport Luxury buyers with two enhancement packages, with the first adding a sliding panoramic roof, and the second also including a heated steering wheel, a digital rear-view mirror and a parking assistance function.

Sport Luxury

Stepping up to the RX Sport Luxury grade adds 10-way power-adjustable front seats with four-way lumbar support, reclining second row with both heating and cooling on the outboard seats along with a heated steering wheel featuring a woodgrain material.

Like the RX Luxury grade, the Sport Luxury can be bolstered with one of two enhancement packs, with the first adding a sliding panoramic sunroof and the second throwing in the parking assistance feature.

F Sport Performance

Sitting at the top of the range, the RX 500h F Sport Performance throws in all the equipment from the below grades and enhancement packages while making a few choice upgrades.

These include unique 21-inch wheels, a smattering of F Sport-branded interior and exterior trimmings, leather upholstery matched with aluminium ornamentation inside the cabin.

As far as performance goes, the RX F Sport Performance adds rear wheel steering along with the aforementioned powertrain which features assistance from both a turbocharger and hybrid system.