The new Lexus RX crossover is one of the most anticipated “debuts” on the Ukrainian market: a well-known brand and model, many fans and owners of previous versions. What does the new model offer? Impressive design, beautiful interior, powerful engines? But how much money will it cost? Let me tell you everything!
Design: a sharp samurai sword that cuts off excess
Yes, it sounds like the title of a low-budget action movie from the 1980s. But that’s exactly what comes to mind when you look at the new Lexus RX – there are so many sharp angles and narrow lines. For example, the newest headlights resemble two blades cut into the bumper; the same goes for the air intake niches “one floor below”. And the car’s nose blade resembles a shark.
However, the picture changes behind: soft wave lines dominate here. For example, a massive hip transition to the rear wheel arch, a smooth slide-descent of the side windows, a solid lantern across the entire width of the body. By the way, it is decorated with numerous notches along the edges and the inscription “Lexus” in the center of the trunk lid – it’s so fashionable now.
Samurai sword cut the lines, but did not cut the overall size: the new Lexus
RX (by the way, already in its fifth generation since the 1990s) has a total length of 4.89 meters, a width of 1.92 meters, a height of 1.7 meters, and a wheelbase of 2.85 meters – this is a really large crossover. It is equally suited to the delicate pink and gold color and the F Sport package with numerous black details and large 21-inch matte wheels. The design is “for fans”, but definitely original.
Here’s where else this sharp sword has “worked out” – it’s in the car’s interior, carefully removing almost all physical buttons. Therefore, the central part of the front panel is not cluttered, it emphasizes the large details of the interior: the large 14-inch Lexus Link Pro display (yes, I wrote “large” again, because it is so “large” that it needs several words “large”), the massive surfaces with color illumination in front of the passenger, the dark brushed aluminum trim, the transmission control “island”.
But not everything is so simple. There is a hidden niche on the center console. Here is the digital instrument panel – in fact, it is a small display, but it is covered with curved glass with a “panoramic” wraparound effect. And here are the touch buttons on the steering wheel, the functionality of which can be customized at will. For example, you can control audio, phone, and cruise. Or change the driving modes – unfortunately, they forgot to add a separate button.
It gets even more interesting in the back. And not only interesting, but also comfortable: plenty of space for passengers, a wide and soft sofa with the ability to adjust the seating position, separate climate control, heated and ventilated seats, and window blinds. It seems like no super inventions – but the strength of the Lexus RX is that it has each of these items. As they directly affect the comfort and convenience of passengers. So, the new Lexus RX is a great family carrier!
The interior of the new LexusRX created with “broad brush strokes”: the case when large main elements are more important than small details. Although the latter also have a lot of interesting features, such as touch buttons on the steering wheel, temperature rings, and buttons on the doors for electronic unlocking: they need to be pressed, but you can also pull them twice. Comfortable, wraparound front seats with advanced lateral support and suede upholstery are features of the F Sport package. The rear is also good: plenty of space and even more convenience in the little things. Plus a large luggage compartment (612-1678 liters) for all passengers’ suitcases.
Technology: under the hood – turbo, hybrid, turbo hybrid
The new Lexus RX is built on a new platform. It is called GA-K and, among other things, includes a body with extensive use of high-strength steels and aluminum. The suspensions are fully independent (front/rear); no pneumatics are provided, but a rear wheel swivel mechanism is provided exclusively for the F Sport+ package. As for the transmission, all versions of the Lexus RX for Ukraine have all-wheel drive, although it is different in design depending on the engine. Speaking of engines…
It seems that the Lexus RX crossover offers many options: here is a version with a turbo engine, here is a traditional hybrid, there is a Plug-In hybrid (although it is not currently offered in Ukraine). But look closely and you will see a transversely mounted 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a volume of 2.4-2.5 liters, to which either a turbine or a hybrid, or a turbine and a hybrid at the same time, have been “bolted”.
Thus, the Lexus RX 350 crossover has a 2.4-liter turbo engine under the hood, which is paired with a traditional 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The hybrid version of the Lexus RX 350h already has a 2.5-liter engine without a turbo, but it has been equipped with an electric motor and a multi-speed transmission and E-Four all-wheel drive. Finally, the maximum variant of the Lexus RX 500h is a combination of a 2.4-liter turbo engine with an electric motor to create a hybrid system. Plus, it has its own transmission again: a classic 6-speed automatic and DIRECT 4 all-wheel drive with active torque vectoring.
The test car is a crossover
Lexus RX 500h
F Sport+ with the most interesting technology: the combination of a 2.4-liter gasoline turbo engine and an electric motor means a total output of 372 hp and 551 Nm of torque.
The electric motor is powered by a Bipolar Ni-Mh battery located closer to the rear wheels. By the way, the latter can be rotated in the direction or opposite to the front ones – this is what the “plus” in addition to the inscription F Sport. In general, the F Sport designation means a lot: not only bumpers and trims, grille, seats and steering wheel, but also larger 6-piston brake calipers on the front wheels. The body and hinged panels are made of steel and aluminum, laser welding and adhesives are used, and the maximum “500” version also received additional front amplifiers. Not a bad piece of machinery! But how does it drive?
Behind the wheel: excellent softness, excellent dynamics
The character of the Lexus RX 500h F Sport+ is shaped by two main features – good suspension comfort and impressive power and acceleration dynamics. Who says a powerful car has to be rigid? The Lexus RX 500h F Sport+ crossover is ready to debate this on every pothole and every ledge of difficult Ukrainian roads. Even with 21 wheels, it usually moves very gently – as if floating on waves. It also moves very quietly, carefully hiding both the rustle of the wheels and unnecessary sounds from the outside world.
Only a pleasant growl of the engine is allowed to penetrate inside! Although, frankly speaking, there is an ASC system to amplify the engine sound – well, you understand… But these sounds do not just appear. They are really supported by good dynamics! Both when starting from a standstill and during acceleration. Somewhere the electric motor is working, somewhere the turbocharger is helping, somewhere it all overlaps: the hybrid system will figure it out. But what matters to us is the final result, which is generally good – the large Lexus RX 500h F Sport+ crossover accelerates and flies forward with the liveliness and zeal of a small “hot” hatchback! It strives for speed, demonstrates good dynamics, and responds quickly to the accelerator pedal.
A real sports crossover? Well, almost – up to about the first corner, where you can feel the weight (at least 2100 kg for the RX 500h F Sport+ version) and size of the car. Speaking of cornering, I won’t criticize the steering wheel here, because I like its lightness and the car’s fairly adequate and uninhibited reactions. However, the remark concerns noticeable body roll and sway, which leads to weight redistribution. This is the price for good suspension comfort.
The photo is of a turbo engine, but in fact, the entire hybrid system of the car works well – 372 hp and 551 Nm “bring” the 6.2 seconds to “hundred” promised by the passport (by the way, 210 km/h top speed is also promised). The dynamics barely change depending on the selected driving mode, but the impressions change more noticeably – if «SPORT» charges and motivates, “ECO” calms reactions and relaxes; “NORMAL” mode is really normal. The driving modes can be changed via the central display menu, and the hybrid’s performance can also be monitored there. Interestingly, the electric drive generally provides 50% of the movement or even more. And this has a good effect on fuel consumption: it is quite possible to drive around the city with a consumption of 8.5-9 liters per hundred (although 7.4 liters were promised), but the dynamic driving style immediately increases this figure to 12+ liters. On the highway, however, everything almost matches the passport data: 6.3 liters were promised, and at an eco-speed of 90 km/h, you can actually get about 6.5 liters per 100 km. But who will drive at eco-speed in a new Lexus RX, for which they paid a lot of money… By the way, how much?
Cost: how much does the new Lexus RX cost
Of course, it all depends on the powertrain (of which there are three in Ukraine) and the configuration (of which there are five in Ukraine) – in combination, we have six variants of the car. The total price range is UAH 2.8-3.96 million or $74-104 thousand.
The Lexus RX 350 Executive starts with a 2.4-liter turbo engine with 279 hp, all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission, LED headlights and automatic high beams, adaptive cruise, heated and ventilated front seats, three-zone climate, 14-inch Lexus Link Pro touchscreen display, Lexus Premium audio, and more.
Price of Lexus RX 350 Executive – from UAH 2.8 million or $74 thousand.
One step higher is the Premium package: here you can choose an engine (2.4-liter turbo with 279 hp or 2.5-liter hybrid with 250 hp), and the package includes heated and ventilated rear seats, standard navigation, and more. Price Lexus RX 350 Premium – from UAH 2.95 million or $78 thousand;
price of Lexus RX 350h Premium – from UAH 3.15 million or $83 thousand
Next to it is the Lexus RX 350 F Sport version: the familiar 2.4-liter pipe engine, the F Sport exterior aerodynamic package, F Sport seats and steering wheel, pedal pads, a panoramic glass roof and a windshield projection system have been added to the equipment list. Price of Lexus RX 350 F Sport – from UAH 3.15 million or $83 thousand
The most luxurious version is the Lexus RX 350h Luxury: Mark Levinson audio, special leather on the seats, wooden inserts, a surround view system, etc. Price of Lexus RX 350h Luxury starts from UAH 3.5 million or $92 thousand
Finally, the most sporty and luxurious version of the car is the Lexus RX 500h F Sport+, which combines the Luxury equipment with the F Sport package and adds a swiveling rear wheel system. In addition, only this car receives the most powerful (372 hp) hybrid powertrain in the form of a combination of a 2.4-liter turbo and an electric motor. Price of Lexus RX 500h F Sport+ starts from UAH 3.96 million or $104 thousand
As it has always been with Lexus There are no “empty” configurations – even from the start, a 14-inch display, three-zone climate control, LSS+ 3.0 package of safety and driver assistance systems (lane keeping, frontal collision avoidance, road sign recognition), as well as mirror blind spot monitoring, rearview camera, keyless entry, and interior background lighting are offered. In the maximum configurations, we have all-round visibility, BladeScan headlights with adaptive high beam, a panoramic sunroof; package F Sport also adds textured suede. However, the equipment is strictly tied to the configuration, and the latter is tied to the engine. Do you want an all-round view? You need to take a hybrid in the maximum configuration for $92 thousand. And why would you want an F Sport with the obligatory “panorama” if you wanted Mark Levinson audio and rear heating?…
Usually, the main competitors allow you to choose the equipment “for yourself” without being tied to engines/versions. The main competitors are large premium German or British crossovers: Audi Q8, BMW X5 and X6, Mercedes GLE, Range Rover Velar, and others. It seems that earlier the positioning of Lexus RX in relation to these rivals was more favorable: a recognizable brand, good comfort and equipment, economical hybrids, lower cost – it was a logical choice.
However, the new Lexus RX is now priced roughly on par with its competitors, and this is why unpleasant questions are beginning to arise. Where is the air suspension, laser headlights, and night vision system? Are there any super-powerful 500-horsepower versions offered? And why does a car with a 4-cylinder engine cost the same as a 6-cylinder competitor? Due to a significant increase in price, the Lexus RX crossover now plays by the rules of the class – it has to rely not on the brand/equipment/cost combination, but on its own advantages. Thankfully, there are many of them.
Lexus RX test drive results
A beautiful, stylish, premium crossover that looks good in pink and parked near the office in the city center? Yes, it is. A powerful, technologically advanced, dynamic car that suits the F Sport package and climbing equipment or a SUP board? Again, yes! The strength of the new Lexus RX 500h F Sport+ is that it is versatile, it offers and can really do a lot: comfort and equipment, dynamics and power, interior space and convenience, driving emotions.
I can’t “sign” for the entire model at once, because the overall perception of a car can change greatly from one version to another. However, if we are talking about the Lexus RX 500h F Sport+ as an example of the highest pinnacle of achievement for the new generation of Lexus RX, the car turned out to be very successful and interesting. It definitely knows its own price – which is confirmed by its considerable price.
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