Overview
Lexus’ 2023 RX lineup gets its first complete redo since 2016, including an evolutionary exterior refresh and a complete rethinking of the interior. The redesign also makes room for the first-ever plug-in hybrid version, the RX 450h+, which we will review closer to its debut later in the model year.
These welcome changes should help keep the RX firmly ensconced atop the heap in the ever-growing, super-competitive midsize premium crossover segment, where it faces off with worthy rivals including the Acura MDX, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, Lincoln Nautilus, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and Volvo XC90.
What the top-selling RX has going for it is that it leaves the niches to the other guys and offers shoppers a quiet, comfortable, well-equipped cabin, decent handling and power, a luxury-car ride, contemporary good looks, and the promise of Lexus quality and reliability.
The RX family also offers plenty of choice. There are multiple trims in each variety, whether gas-only, standard hybrid, or (soon) plug-in hybrid; rear- or all-wheel drive; and regular or sporty. In all, there are 10 gas-only and gas-electric hybrid trim levels (14, counting AWD options), even before the plug-in hybrid version is introduced. No competitor can match that breadth and depth, although BMW and Volvo do offer plug-in hybrid versions of their midsize crossovers.
Lexus dropped the RX-L with three-row seating for 2023, but it’s not a big loss as there wasn’t much room in the third row. Shoppers who really need seating for seven will have to look at the MDX, Q7, GV80, GLE, or XC90. Lexus will be introducing a longer TX crossover with a third row.
Also stripped from the 2023 RX lineup are the thirsty V6 engine and the much-criticized touchpad controller. Gas-only variants now have a turbocharged inline-four that gets 2 mpg more in combined city and highway driving. The touchpad controller was replaced by a new infotainment operating system that’s easier to navigate by touch or voice.
The 2023 RX is the same length as its predecessor, but the wheelbase has been stretched 2.4 inches, expanding cargo area and rear legroom. It is also an inch wider and, giving it a racier appearance, its roofline is almost 3 inches lower and the rear overhang is much shorter. Adding to its improved looks is the revised grille, which has lost its top third and now just looks really big instead of gargantuan.
The RX has never been the fastest, roomiest, or most technologically advanced midsize premium crossover, but it is the segment’s most broadly appealing model. It should stay that way for 2023.
What's New for 2023
Trims and Pricing
The 2023 Lexus RX is offered in four powertrain variants, RX 350, RX 350h, RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid (to be introduced later in the 2023 model year), and RX 500h, each with several trim levels. The non-hybrid versions, except for the RX 350 F Sport Handling trim, are front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,600.
All-wheel drive is standard on the F-Sport Handling and all hybrid trims. With so many versions, there’s really no single best choice. Each variant has its own powertrain and mission. The RX 350 has long been the most popular model, and we think it remains the best buy overall, although the 350h is best for those seeking the improved fuel economy and road handling abilities of an all-wheel drive hybrid. We’ll tell you why.
350
Lexus hasn’t gone all-electrified yet, and the front-wheel-drive RX350, starting at $48,550 including destination fees, continues to anchor the RX line. But for 2023 it loses its V6 in favor of a turbocharged, 2.4-liter inline four. The standard equipment list is lengthy and includes 19-inch alloy wheels, a power liftgate, LED lighting including fog lights, heated and power-adjustable front seats with faux leather upholstery, ambient lighting, a configurable 7-inch driver information screen and a 9.8-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Apple and Amazon music streaming, a 12-speaker audio system, and a full suite of advanced safety and driver-assist systems.
350 Premium
The Premium trim starts at $50,550 and adds appearance and convenience items including a moonroof, aluminum roof rails, ventilated front seats, driver’s seat memory settings, and wireless device charging.
For the best combination of usable luxury and value, the 350 Premium is our choice, especially when equipped with the optional 14-inch touchscreen and all-wheel drive. The Premium+ and Luxury trims offer more goodies, but none are essential.
350 Premium+
With a starting price of $53,150, the Premium+ trim adds real leather-trimmed seat upholstery, expanded ambient lighting, plus the 14-inch infotainment screen with navigation and a three-year trial subscription to Lexus Direct Connect.
350 Luxury
The Luxury trim ($56,550) adds 21-inch wheels, full leather upholstery with suede trim on the door panels, adjustable lumbar supports on the front seats, power-adjustable rear seats, and a color head-up display.
350 F Sport Handling AWD
The top of the non-hybrid RX350 lineup, the $57,750 F Sport Handling AWD, starts with Premium trim equipment and adds adaptive suspension, larger brakes, more front-seat bolstering, and all-wheel drive. There’s also a lot of F Sport-specific trim. It isn’t any faster, more comfortable, or more luxurious than the other trims, but it is more responsive and fun to drive.
350h AWD
The gas-electric 350h, with standard all-wheel drive, starts at $50,150, Standard equipment on the hybrid trims — except the 500h — is essentially the same as on the corresponding non-hybrid trims.
350h Premium AWD
Starts at $52,150. The RX 350h Premium costs the same as the non-hybrid RX 350 with optional all-wheel drive, but its 11 mpg increase in overall fuel efficiency represents a substantial value for those seeking superb fuel economy in this segment.
350h Premium+ AWD
Starts at $54,750.
350h Luxury AWD
Starts at $58,150.
500h F Sport Performance AWD
The $62,750 RX 500h F Sport Performance has a turbocharged gas-electric hybrid powerplant with a two-motor electronic all-wheel-drive system that provides a substantial increase in power over the rest of the hybrids and all of the gas-only trims.
It also gets special Performance features, including leather sport seats trimmed with Ultrasuede, active sound control to enrich the sound of the gas engine, and rear-wheel steering to make parking easier, maneuvering in traffic and handling tight curves and twisty country roads. Otherwise, standard equipment is the same as on the 350 F Sport Handling.
Lexus offers three special packages, available for all trim levels: A Cold Weather package with heavy-duty heater and windshield deicer; a 14-inch infotainment screen with navigation, and an Audio package with a 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system and the 14-inch infotainment screen with navigation.
Engine and Performance
All 2023 Lexus RX 350 variants get a new, turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. That’s 20 fewer ponies than the V6 it is replacing, but a 20% boost in torque. It delivers its power to the front wheels — or the electronic all-wheel-drive system when so equipped — via an eight-speed automatic stirred with a compact shift handle on the console or by using the paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. Lexus says it is good for a zero-to-60 mph sprint in 7.5 seconds, or a slightly peppier 7.2 seconds with all-wheel drive.
The RX 350h gets a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with the Lexus Hybrid Drive system. That’s a gas engine and two electric motors up front, hitched to gears that make it work like it is linked to a continuously variable automatic transmission. A third motor on the rear axle is electronically linked to provide all-wheel drive when the front wheels start losing traction.
Total hybrid system output is 245 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque. And while that’s not as much, in either category, as the non-hybrid RX 350, the hybrid’s electric motors deliver all of their grunt right from the start. As a result, the 350h is a tick quicker to 60 mph, with a Lexus-claimed time of 7.4 seconds. Unfortunately, the hybrid powertrain has to work hard during quick acceleration and can get quite buzzy
The RX 500h F Sport Performance gets a new hybrid drive, rated at 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Up front it uses the same 2.4-liter turbocharged four as the standard 350, coupled with a single electric motor that can serve either as a generator or to provide more power to the wheels. The two deliver their combined power via a conventional six-speed automatic. A separate “e-axle” provides power for the rear wheels without a mechanical connection to the gas engine up front. An electronic controller decides how much torque needs to go to the back for the best traction and can send as much as 80% to the rear. The Direct4 all-wheel drive system is shared with the new Toyota Crown sedan.
Lexus’ priciest RX is capable of a 5.9-second dash to 60 mph from a standing start. The F Sport is the most fun to drive, but there are better choices for performance. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE all offer quicker, sportier, and more responsive rides.
No matter the powertrain, the RX is quick enough to safely merge into highway-speed traffic and powerful enough to climb steep mountain roads. More important is how the RX does on the road, and it delivers with comfort and a premium cabin. Look elsewhere if high performance is the top requirement.
Fuel Economy
The Environmental Protection Agency hasn’t released 2023 RX fuel-efficiency estimates yet, but Lexus estimates the standard 350 at 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. That’s a 2-mpg gain in overall efficiency from the 2022 model. All-wheel-drive versions of the 350 lose 1 mpg in each category.
On the hybrid side, the 350h trims deliver a big bump, to 37/34 mpg city/highway. The 500h comes in at a Lexus-estimated 27/28 mpg.
Compared to non-hybrid competitors, the front-wheel-drive RX 350’s rating ties with the rear-wheel-drive Alfa Romeo Stelvio and all-wheel-drive Volvo XC90 for top-of-class honors. The BMW X5 is at the bottom of the pack.
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