Saturday, December 31, 2022

Lexus RX (A10/A15/H16/H17)

The Lexus RX, the forefather of luxury crossovers, is now on its fifth generation, and it promises to be the most revolutionary RX ever made because of its powerhouse choice of powertrains, highly advanced tech, and the most luxurious features to date.

2023 Lexus RX
2023 Lexus RX

With prices starting at 6,640,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the all-new, fifth-generation, Lexus RX is the latest evolution of the forefather of luxury crossovers. How's it going right now is entirely up to this newest version, which is packed with new features that made it the best RX ever made.

2023 Lexus RX
2023 Lexus RX

Beginning with the design, the new RX carries the new-generation Lexus design DNA inherited from the current NX, so you can think of it as its big brother. While the controversial front face is the signature Lexus moment, the rear view can be easily mistaken for the defunct Infiniti QX70 while the rear view can be vaguely mistaken for an Opel Adam. Despite its debatable design, it's still the best of both worlds and the same goes for the sporty F SPORT variant with sporty aesthetics slapped all over.

2023 Lexus RX
2023 Lexus RX interior

The new interior adopts the Tazuna Concept approach to make it minimal and driver-focused. The Remote Touch from the previous model's gone because it now features a touchscreen on the dashboard with a set of dials on it for volume control and others as well as USB-C outlets, ambient lighting system, available Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system, available Qi wireless charging port, and others. Some would find it rocket science but it's worth fun toying with its features, given that you don't want to spend too much time on the voice control a la Alexa.

On the passenger side, this five-seater is more spacious in boot space and legroom terms than the previous model thanks to its bigger dimensions. This should be more than enough to escort VIPS while carrying sensitive cargo like a classified courier on a mission.

2023 Lexus RX
2023 Lexus RX

Running on the improved TNGA platform, the all-new RX behaves better than the previous model it replaces, and no matter which driving mode you're on, be it in its most comfortable setting or in the sportiest setting (if you're in the F SPORT variant), it always leaves a lasting impression everywhere. Although it feels Audi-ish to drive, the new RX is all about making a statement on those behind the wheel.

Speaking of powerhouse choice of powertrains; the all-new RX is offered with a choice of a turbo, PHEV, and the first ever turbo-hybrid exclusive for the RX500 F SPORT Performance. The RX350's T25A-FTS 2.4L turbo engine produces 279PS of power, 430Nm of torque, and while mated to an 8-speed AT, it has 11.8km/L of fuel economy. In the first-ever RX450h+ PHEV, the A25A-FX5 2.5L petrol engine is connected to two electric motors generating a total of 309PS of power, and while mated to a CVT gearbox, it has 18.8km/L of fuel economy. Lastly, the first-ever RX500 F SPORT Performance combines the 2.4L T24A-FTS turbocharged engine to two electric motors and a nickel-metal battery, producing a sporty 371PS of power and while mated to a 6-speed AT, it has 14.4km/L of fuel economy. All are calculated by WLTC Mode standards.

Because the world is in the middle of the new normal, the all-new RX comes with Lexus Safety System +, a suite of advanced driver assistance systems such as Proactive Driving Assist, Pre-Collision Safety, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, Advanced Drive, Advanced Park, and Safe Exit Assist, among many others.

After two decades of evolution, the fifth-generation Lexus RX feels like it had reached its zenith. It's not just an evolution, it's more like a revolution as some would say. As a luxury crossover built for all walks of life, the Lexus RX is all business, all leisure, like it or not. The more you know.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

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