Whatshot
The all-new Lexus RX Exposed
The all-new Lexus RX Exposed
Credited with pioneering the luxury crossover segment, the RX has racked up more than 1,2 million sales since its inception and with annual US sales consistently surpassing the 100000 mark, the RX is one of only two luxury-badged vehicles to achieve this accolade. Since its initial launch in 1998, the Lexus RX has proved immensely popular with those needing the flexibility of a sport-utility vehicle combined with the driving comfort of a luxury sedan, all wrapped up in an attractive, elegant package.
Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing, concedes that success brings challenges: "Lexus engineers and product planners were left with the arduous task of keeping loyalists happy while broadening the appeal of the new RX - something I'm happy to say they've done admirably.
The local RX line-up comes in two 'flavours': the petrol V6-powered RX 350 EX and the petrol-electric hybrid RX 450h in SE guise. The RX 350 EX features an upgraded 3.5-litre direct injection V6 that develops 221kW and 370Nm - 17kW and 24Nm more than the previous generation - and drives all four wheels via an eight-speed transmission.
The RX 450h hybrid develops 230kW combined system power (engine and electric motor) - a 10kW increase in combined system power over the previous generation RX 450h - and drives all four wheels via a CVT transmission.