2023 Lexus RX lineup goes electrified

Lexus RX – Electrified Powertrains Lead The Way In All-New Rx Lineup. Lexus recently released the updated RX model line-up and the twin features are the new entry point with the RX 350h 2WD and the range topping RX 500h AWD.      2023 Lexus RX (L-R) RX 350h Sports Luxury, RX 500h F Sport Performance and RX 350 F Sport.

The fifth generation RX now looks much sharper on the road along with offering new levels of comfort, refinement and driving enjoyment.

Lets talk a bit about the RX 500h F Sport performance model, which features a high-performance 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine in a parallel hybrid arrangement . This engine produces 273kW and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and DIRECT4 all-wheel drive (AWD),

Steering, braking and handling have all been sports-tuned on the RX 500h F Sport Performance, taking it beyond the mild sporting modifications associated with traditional F Sport variants.

Lexus have always built excellent cars and the RX has been a popular model but sales has dropped off waiting for the upgraded model. Their best-selling model is the NX .

The all-new Lexus RX is priced from $87,500 for the RX 350h Luxury hybrid and tops out at $126,000 for the RX 500h F Sport Performance. All prices are plus the usual costs.

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2023 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance interior
More Lexus RX details

Electrified powertrains will headline the all-new Lexus RX lineup, with the RX 350h hybrid the new entry point and the range-topping RX 500h F Sport Performance the new hybrid hero.

The RX 500h F Sport Performance is not only the most powerful hybrid SUV yet offered by Lexus in Australia and comes with a host of dynamic performance enhancements.

Steering, braking and handling have all been sports-tuned on the RX 500h F Sport Performance, taking it beyond the mild sporting modifications associated with traditional F Sport variants.

The fifth-generation family-sized Lexus SUV has been completely redesigned, with all variants looking sharper on the road and offering new levels of comfort, refinement and driving enjoyment.

The all-new Lexus RX is priced from $87,500 MLP* plus on-road costs for the RX 350h Luxury hybrid and tops out at $126,000MLP* plus on-road costs for the RX 500h F Sport Performance.

2023 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance engine

The range-topper features a high-performance 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine in a parallel hybrid arrangement – a Lexus first – producing 273kW and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and DIRECT4 all-wheel drive (AWD), while the RX 350h with its intelligent hybrid powertrain makes 184kW and is offered with either two-wheel drive (2WD) or AWD which adds $4,500.

Aside from the entry and high-performance hybrid powertrains, buyers can choose  the RX 350 F Sport with turbocharged performance petrol engine producing 205kW and 430Nm with electronically controlled AWD grip for a traditional sporty flavour. It is priced from $99,900 plus on-road costs.

Generously appointed Luxury grade as standard

The RX 350h 2WD and AWD come with Luxury grade as standard and are generously appointed. They have bi-LED headlamps, daytime running lamps (DRLs), front and rear fog lamps, heated and driver’s side auto-dimming exterior mirrors, rear privacy glass, roof rails and 19-inch alloy wheels with a five-spoke design combining a bright machined finish and dark grey metallic surface treatment.

All new-generation RX models feature safe exit assist (SEA) incorporating new e-latch electrically activated door handles which can detect cyclists or vehicles passing close to the vehicle and can keep the door closed to avoid a collision.

The blend of sharp styling and strong specification continues inside the cabin, with Luxury grades receiving heated, eight-way adjustable front seats with two-way power lumbar adjustment, synthetic leather trim, three-zone climate control with nanoe® X air purification, rear air vents, easy access steering wheel with electrically adjustable steering column, paddle shifters, interior illumination, auto-dimming rear view mirror, carpeted floor mats, four cup holders, tonneau cover and power tailgate.

2023 Lexus RX 350h Sports Luxury interior

Standard features

All Lexus RX variants come standard with the latest Lexus multimedia system displayed on an expansive 14-inch high-definition touchscreen, compatible with Android Auto™ and wireless Apple CarPlay®4 with sophisticated 12-speaker Panasonic® sound.

The system offers in-built satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio and Lexus Connected Services7 functionality, providing further convenience and peace of mind.

Five USB-C ports are found throughout the cabin, along with two 12V sockets and one USB-A port to support multimedia connection and smartphone charging.

A comprehensive suite of Lexus Safety Sense + active safety features are included across the RX range, including the Pre-Collision System with intersection collision avoidance support, emergency steering assist and low-speed acceleration suppression, lane departure alert, dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, parking support brake, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, and more.

New features include the driver monitor camera which assesses the driver’s state of attention when on the road.

RX 350h Luxury 2WD and AWD

Both the 350h Luxury 2WD and AWD are available with an optional Enhancement Pack (EP) for an additional $5,100 (2WD) and $5,500 (AWD). It comprises panoramic moonroof, leather-accented seat trim, ventilated front seats, easy access seat, driver’s seat memory, touch-sensitive steering-wheel controls linked with the head-up display, high-grade instrument cluster display, smart key card and wireless phone charger.

2023 Lexus RX 350 F Sport

Lexus RX 350 F Sport

The RX 350 F Sport has a sharper look with a range of sporting upgrades including unique 21-inch alloy wheels with a gloss black finish, F Sport front and rear bumpers and grille, F Sport exterior badging and black roof rails and exterior mirror caps.

The sporting character is reflected inside with a unique dimpled leather steering wheel, scuff plates, shift knob and instrument cluster, aluminium pedals and heated and ventilated F Sport seats.

F Sport also delivers improved road handling with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and superior stopping power with aluminium monoblock six-piston callipers for next level Lexus Driving Signature enjoyment.

2023 Lexus RX 350 F Sport interior

The F Sport also introduces a multitude of comfort and convenience features including high-grade three-projector Bi-LED headlamps with BladeScan™ technology, dynamic auto-levelling, cornering lamps and headlamp cleaners, power tailgate with kick sensor, easy access driver’s seat, smart key card, rear door sunshades and multi-colour interior illumination.

Colour head-up display and touch-type steering wheel controls are included, along with a high-grade instrument cluster display, wireless smartphone charging, Active Noise Control and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson® premium surround sound system for exceptional sound reproduction.

Additional safety features include a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) and Adaptive High-Beam System (AHS).

RX 350 F Sport customers can choose the $3,000 EP 1 adding a sliding panoramic roof or EP 2 which also adds a digital rear-view mirror, Intelligent Parking Assist and heated steering wheel for an extra $1,100.

2023 Lexus RX 350h Sports Luxury

Lexus RX 350 Sport Luxury

For customers seeking even more luxury comforts, the AWD RX 350 petrol and RX 350h offer a Sports Luxury specification, priced at $105,900 and $111,900, respectively.

Sports Luxury shares select specification highlights with the F Sport including AVS, PVM, high-grade Bi-LED headlamps with AHS, heated and ventilated front seats, and the Mark Levinson®2 premium audio system. RX 350 further shares Active Noise Control.

Exclusive to Sports Luxury are 10-way power-adjustable front seats with semi-aniline leather upholstery and four-way lumbar support and memory function, heated steering wheel with woodgrain ornamentation, power-folding and reclining rear seats, heated and ventilated outboard rear seats and uniquely designed 21-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.

The RX 350 and RX 350h Sports Luxury can be optioned with two Enhancement Packs, the first of which adds a sliding panoramic roof for $3,000. EP 2 also adds a digital rear view mirror and Intelligent Parking Assist for an additional $900.

2023 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance

Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance

Topping the all-new Lexus RX range is the RX 500h F Sport Performance – the most powerful and driver-focused RX yet – debuting the brand’s first high-performance turbocharged hybrid powertrain.

Priced from $126,000 plus on-road costs, the RX 500h F Sport Performance is available in a single, highly specified grade that includes all optional equipment from the Enhancement Packs, along with the sporting visual upgrades shared with the RX 350 F Sport including leather upholstery and aluminium ornamentation.

The flagship gains its own 21-inch alloys with a matte black finish, aluminium monoblock front callipers finished in black, front and rear bumpers with piano black side moulding, black F Sport badging and exterior window surrounds, body coloured lower side rocker trim, piano black inner side mirror garnish and Active Sound Control.

Inside, the RX 500h F Sport Performance adds front F Sport scuff plates with black logos and F Sport branded carpet floor mats, building on the excellent interior specification of the RX 350 F Sport plus EP 2.

F Sport Performance also takes F Sport’s improved dynamics to the next level. The Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system incorporating Dynamic Rear Steering maximises handling and grip to thrust the 500h F Sport Performance forward as the sharpest, most responsive and fun-to-drive Lexus SUV yet.

Colour choice

A total of nine exterior colours are available for Luxury and Sports Luxury grades, consisting of Sonic Quartz, Titanium, Sonic Chrome, Sonic Iridium, Graphite Black, Vermillion, Khaki Metal, Deep Blue and the newly developed Sonic Copper.10

F Sport grades replace Sonic Quartz, Titanium, Vermillion and Khaki Metal with White Nova and Cobalt Mica, while the F Sport Performance palette matches the F Sport bar the loss of Deep Blue.

2023 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance

Lexus RX Pricing

ModelPrice MLP*
RX 350h Luxury 2WD$87,500
RX 350h Luxury 2WD + Enhancement Pack$92,600
RX 350h Luxury AWD$92,000
RX 350h Luxury AWD + Enhancement Pack$97,500
RX 350 F Sport AWD$99,900
RX 350 F Sport AWD + Enhancement Pack 1$102,900
RX 350 F Sport AWD + Enhancement Pack 2$104,000
RX 350 Sports Luxury AWD$105,900
RX 350 Sports Luxury AWD + Enhancement Pack 1$108,900
RX 350 Sports Luxury AWD + Enhancement Pack 2$109,800
RX 350h Sports Luxury AWD$111,900
RX 350h Sports Luxury AWD + Enhancement Pack 1$114,900
RX 350h Sports Luxury AWD + Enhancement Pack 2$115,800
RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD$126,000

*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges).

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About Rob Fraser 2492 Articles
Rob Fraser – General dogsbody & Director Rob is the founder of the business. He constantly mutters something about way too many red wines one evening being to blame. Often known for taking the 4WD in the driveway over the sports car, he has travelled pretty much everywhere in Australia and when he is bored goes for a drive. He first learned to drive on the farm in a left hand drive WW11 Jeep when he was 11, and was hooked on 4WDriving way back then. In addition to 4WD he is an avid motoring enthusiast and has maintained a strong interest in the industry ever since his teens. He has owned way too many cars in his time as well. Having previously lived at the top of corporate life he retired in 2000 and hasn’t put a suit and tie on since. Cars are his passion so why not have a business doing what you love he figures. He has towed either a caravan or camper trailer to most parts of Australia, has run guided tours for camper trailers’ and instructed drivers in off road towing.