April 2015
New Lexus RX unveiled
The appearance of the RX’s rear has been sharpened and exudes a sense of rock-solid stability, highlighted by new L-shaped taillights that wrap around the sides of the vehicle. When illuminated, these give the car a wider, more authoritative presence, creating a brilliant glow that extends laterally from the body to the tailgate – a Lexus first.
4,890mm long x 1,895mm wide x 1,690mm high, on a 2,790mm wheelbase.
Load width between wheelarches: 1,140mm
Maximum load width behind arches: 1,400mm
Load length: 1,000mm
Load length rear seats down: 1,800
Load height: 730mm
The cabin puts the emphasis on comfort and luxury, with repositioned trim elements that create a high-class feel. Those who want extra opulence can opt for new laser-cut wood ornamentation. A large head-up display takes centre stage, while the information zone features a 12.3-inch monitor, set apart from the cockpit’s main operation zone.
The shift lever has been moved from the front of the instrument panel to make it easier to use and give the driver more space. The longer wheelbase means more leg and knee-room for rear seat passengers. The rear seats themselves can be equipped with power recline adjustment and heaters. A panoramic sunroof adds to the sense of spaciousness in the cabin.
The new RX will be available (according to market) with an upgraded, more powerful 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a target output of 300bhp, matched to a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
The full hybrid powertrain will feature an improved, Atkinson cycle 3.5-litre V6. System output, including the electric motor, will also be around 300bhp.
The fully independent suspension features front MacPherson struts and a rear double wishbone set-up. This has been tuned and reinforced to improve handling while keeping the ride remarkably smooth. Most RX versions will be available with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which electronically monitors and adapts suspension damping and steering to secure the best handling and ride according to the driving conditions.
The 2015 Lexus RX benefits from significant improvements in active and passive safety provisions, in line with Lexus’s continuing focus on improving vehicle safety performance.
The improvements include a stronger body structure that raises the overall level of passive safety, and the introduction of the Lexus Safety System+, which helps avoid or mitigate collisions at a wide range of vehicle speeds.
Lexus Safety System+ is being introduced worldwide. It integrates several existing Lexus active safety technologies: the Pre-Collision System (PCS), which detects and warns the driver of potential collision risks with vehicles, pedestrians and obstacles on the road ahead; Lane Departure Alert (LDA), which triggers a warning sound if the vehicle moves out of its lane without signalling; and Automatic High Beam (AHB), which helps maintain the best forward visibility when driving at night.
The Lexus RX F Sport is aimed at customers seeking more excitement and performance from their luxury SUV. It will be available with both powertrains and will benefit from a number of special visual and performance features that will set it apart from other versions in the range.
The spindle grille and lower centre section of the rear bumper have a F-motif mesh. There are also new alloy wheel designs, exclusive to the model, and in the cabin there is a dedicated instrument cluster and a sports steering wheel, wrapped in perforated leather and featuring paddle shifts. Exclusive colour options and trims are also part of the package.
The new RX F Sport’s on-road performance is enhanced by an active stabiliser system which keeps the vehicle remarkably flat through corners. The Adaptive Variable Suspension (details above) is fitted as standard, further helping to keep the Lexus planted on the road. The Drive Mode Select system adds a Sport S+ mode with AVS in addition to the Eco, Normal and Sports S settings.
April 2015
2.0 litre turbo engine announced
Following the world debut of the 2015 RX, Lexus has announced that its luxury SUV will be available with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
The unit features VVT-iW intelligent/wide variable valve-timing, a low-inertia turbocharger and an air-to-liquid intercooler. Target output in the RX is more than 225bhp. The engine will be matched to a six-speed automatic transmission with ratios tailored to support strong acceleration from standstill and at overtaking speeds.
September 2015
UK pricing for Lexus RX announced
From £39,995 for RX 200t and from £46,995 for Lexus RX 450h. Orders open. First Uk deliveries January 2016.
Entry point to the UK model range is the two-wheel drive RX 200t S, which comes as standard with Lexus Navigation, 18-inch alloys and bi-LED lights. The full hybrid RX 450h line-up, with all-wheel drive, starts with the SE model, equipped with electrically adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, nine-speaker audio system and Lexus Navigation.
Luxury trim adds the Lexus Premium Navigation system with 12.3-inch display, powered tailgate with “no-touch” sensor, 20-inch wheels and a wireless phone charger. F Sport puts the emphasis sporty looks and handling with a dedicated exterior and interior styling package, adaptive variable suspension and low-speed cornering lights. Premier grade, available for the RX 450h, adds a new colour head-up display, 360-degree view monitor, semi-aniline leather upholstery, Mark Levinson audio system and an opening panoramic roof.
The RX 200t available on-the-road from £39,995; starting price for the RX 450h is £46,995.
October 2016
Revamp announced for Lexus RX. New Premier Pack option for the RX F Sport models and an automated braking function for safer low-speed manoeuvring in the RX 450h.
For the RX F Sport the Premier Pack provides Mark Levinson audio, head-up display, 360-degree camera, a card key and heated steering wheel. It also offers buyers the choice of a panoramic roof or sunroof. It must be spacified at time of ordering and costs £4,500 for the RX F Sport.
Lexus has also upgraded the Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Intelligent Parking Sensors fitted to the RX 450h Premier to include an automated braking function, providing an extra layer of safety protection when manoeuvring in and out of parking spaces. When the systems detect an obstacle in the vehicle’s path, or sudden acceleration when manoeuvring, the brakes will be automatically applied to avoid an impact. The upgrade also applies to the systems included in the new Premier Pack option for the RX F Sport. A new colour of Azure Blue is now available for the RX F Sport.
January 2018
Lexus RX450h Sport announced.
Distinguished by a series of exterior elements with a matching black finish. This includes a powerful rendition of the trademark Lexus spindle grille, featuring a sequence of horizontal black fins, framed in chrome and flanked by fog lights set in new black surrounds. 20-inch alloy wheels have a twin-spoke design and are also finished in black. The side profile is further punctuated by new black housings for the heated, electrically adjustable door mirrors with integrated turn indicators and auto-folding function.
The cabin has an all-black theme, including the smooth leather upholstery. At the rear a new black and chrome diffuser treatment for the lower part of the bumper creates a strong contrast with the bodywork colour.
In addition to its specific external features, the RX Sport is equipped to a high level. LED headlights with Automatic High Beam, smooth leather upholstery Lexus Premium Navigation, a 12.3-inch multimedia display, heated and ventilated front seats with power adjustment and a memory setting for the driver’s seat, steering wheel and door mirrors. The fourth generation RX has a top five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP and all versions are fitted with the Lexus Safety System+ package of active safety and driver assistance features. The RX Sport is on sale from 1 February, price £51,645 on the road.
May 2019
Updated Lexus RX revealed
Lexus has released pictures of its updated RX and RX L models ahead of them going on sale in autumn.
The updated RX benefits from an external facelift with updated bumpers and a revised grille, while the arrangements of the tailpipes and valence has been adjusted at the rear of the car.
Inside, the seven-seat RX L now offers two different seating positions for the third row seats, providing more legroom when required.
A new multimedia touchscreen system has been fitted, incorporating Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for the first time.
Lexus says its RX is now better to drive, thanks to revised shock absorbers and increased body rigidity.
A new 'BladeScan' adaptive high-beam system improves night-time illumination without risking dazzling other road usrs This works by shining light from LEDs onto two blade-shaped mirrors that are rotating at high speed. The light is then transferred onto a lens to illuminate the road ahead. This lights up areas that might be difficult to see using a conventional high-beam system, without blnding other road users.
The new RX also benefits from the latest version of Lexus Safety System+, incorporating the firm's pre-collision system, radar-controlled adaptive cruise control and road sign assist.
UK prices and specifications for the updated RX and RX L models will be announced ahead of them going on sale in autumn 2019.
November 2019
New entry-level grade for RX
The new RX launched in October 2019, has a new entry-level grade that offers a wealth of cutting edge technology, safety and comfort features as standard.
Connectivity is included a 12.3-inch multimedia display with touchscreen functions, six USB ports around the cabin and simple smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Owners can also access a range of useful and personalised connected services via Lexus Link
The 2020 RX benefit from the latest generation Lexus Safety System+, with functions that can recognise a wide range of collision risks, alert the driver and apply braking and assistance to help avoid an accident, or lessen the consequences if an impact is unavoidable. Triple-eye LED headlights with Automatic High Beam, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and an Intelligent Clearance Sonar are also included in the specification.
The RX has a power tailgate, paddle shifts on the steering wheel and a wireless smartphone charger. Comfort details include heated front seats (RX model only), Tahara synthetic leather upholstery and eight-way power-adjustable front seats – with two-way lumbar adjustment on the driver’s seat.
Options include a Premium Pack, adding smooth leather upholstery, front seat ventilation, hands-free tailgate operation with a kick sensor, heated steering wheel, auto-dimming and reverse-tilting functions for the door mirrors and easy access for the driver with auto-retracting seat and steering wheel (with memory function). For the RX L, the package also includes integrated front seat heaters.
A Tech and Safety Pack is available (for RXs where the Premium Pack has already been specified), adding a colour head-up display, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert with automatic braking – features which enhance the RX’s excellent safety provisions. Additionally, a panoramic roof can be added to the RX.
Available to order from late November 2019 with customer deliveries from January 2020.
November 2021
Lexus RX updated with new Premium Sport Edition
As its name declares, the new RX Premium Sport Edition gives Lexus’s large luxury self-charging hybrid electric SUV stronger, sportier appeal with a series of exclusive design elements, inside and out. It builds on the success of the previous Sport Edition with an enriched specification that adds a distinctive style twist to the RX line-up.
The new version is available both for the five-seat RX and the RX L in six or seven-seat form – the former with two captain’s-style chairs in the second row.
The Premium Sport Edition has a powerful road presence thanks to black-finished details that complement its elegant lines, including the front grille and door mirror covers. These are matched with black sputtered-finish 20-inch alloy wheels and a black front under-guard that emphasises the model’s SUV status.
In the cabin, the signature look for the smooth leather upholstery is a combination of Black and White Ash with contrasting light grey stitching. The same colour theme is applied to the soft-touch surfaces on the centre console, door trims and passenger knee pad, with the grey stitching repeated around the shift lever gaiter. The steering wheel is finished in black leather and Black Open Pore Walnut, matching the cabin’s wood trim inserts, and the door panels have integrated illumination. Customers can also specify Black or Rich Cream leather upholstery if they prefer.
The RX Premium Sport Edition also benefits from a higher equipment specification. Its advanced and high-tech features include a head-up display, heated rear seats, a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert with auto brake. A panoramic roof is provided on the RX version and a sunroof on the RX L.
This specification is in addition to the established RX Premium Pack, which provides Lexus Safety System+ active safety and driver assistance systems, smooth leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, a hands-free power back door, door mirrors with auto-folding, auto-dimming, reverse-tilt and memory functions and power-adjustable front seats with an auto-retract and memory function for the driver’s seat.,
The new RX Premium Sport Edition is on sale now. On-the road prices are £57,165 for the RX model, £59,105 for the six-seat RX L and £57,855 for the seven-seat RX L.