2023 Lexus RX SUV has tech and luxury, but why does it want me to sit up straight?

Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press
·6 min read

SANTA BARBARA, California – A new version of Lexus’ bestselling RX midsize SUV is expected to go on sale toward the end of 2022, but it could be more than a year before the most dramatically different model, a plug-in hybrid or PHEV, goes on sale.

The 2023 RX will have subtly updated looks, Lexus’ new online digital assistant and improved controls.

Lexus hasn’t revealed prices or official EPA fuel economy figures for the RX yet. Neither is likely to change drastically from the current model, which is competitive with other five-passenger luxury SUVs like the Acura MDX, Cadillac XT5, Infiniti QX50 and Lincoln Nautilus.

Better connectivity and controls are givens, however, thanks to the U.S.-developed infotainment system/virtual assistant and a 9.8- or 14-inch touch screen, depending on the model. Lexus appears to have abandoned the quixotic center console-mounted joy sticks and touchpads previous models relied on for many features.

The long-wheelbase RX-L, which had three rows of seats, has been discontinued. It’ll be a surprise if Lexus doesn’t eventually offer a three-row midsize SUV to attract family buyers.

Lexus is also expected to launch an all-electric midsize SUV, the RX 450e, late this year.

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What’s new?

The RX abandons the V6 engine that has been available since the SUV debuted in 1998. The most powerful model will be a new version of the popular hybrid drivetrain, though not the awaited PHEV.

Lexus isn’t giving any details on how far the PHEV will be able to go on electricity alone, but the RX lineup includes two mild hybrids that combine gasoline and electricity for efficiency and performance.

The 2023 RX is new from the ground up, riding on the GA-K architecture that will underpin a variety of vehicles for Lexus and its corporate parent, Toyota. The RX’s platform is 198 pounds lighter than its predecessor, with a lower center of gravity Lexus says contributes to better handling.

Passenger space is not expected to change much, but a 2.4-inch longer wheelbase contributes to more cargo space. The liftover into the cargo compartment has been lowered slightly for easier loading.

2023 Lexus RX model line:

  • RX 350 (FWD or AWD)

  • RX 350h hybrid (AWD)

  • RX 500h F Sport hybrid (AWD)

  • Late availability, model year TBD: RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid (AWD)

Adios V6, hello, multiple hybrid systems

In lieu of Lexus’ long-serving 3.5L V6, the 2023 RX’s base engine is a turbocharged 2.4L four-cylinder that produces 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque and is linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo four-cylinder produces a whopping 52 pound-feet more torque than the previous model’s 3.5L V6, but 20 fewer horsepower.

The gasoline-only model is available with front- or all-wheel drive.

Both hybrids have standard AWD.

The 350h base hybrid uses a 2.5L engine and electric motors mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission. It generates 246 hp and 233 pound-feet of torque.

The top performance model will be the RX 500h. It has a more powerful gasoline engine and electric motor for total output of 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The 500h has a six-speed automatic transmission, because the other hybrid’s CVT can’t handle its higher output.

Toyota expects the gasoline-powered RX 350 to account for 70% of sales, the 350h hybrid 20% and the 500h performance hybrid 10%.

Power and other figures for the PHEV will be available closer to its as yet unannounced on-sale date.

Safety and driver assistance features:

  • Adaptive cruise control with lane centering

  • Automatic high beams

  • Head-up display

  • Automatic parking

  • Lane departure alert and assist

  • Forward collision alert

  • Automatic emergency braking

  • Pedestrian, bicyclist and motorcycle detection

  • Intersection turning assist

  • Lane tracing assist

  • Road sign assist

  • Cross traffic alert and assist

  • Emergency steering assist

  • Traffic jam assist

Driving impressions

I drove all three of the available drivetrains in and around Santa Barbara on California’s Central Coast.

The non-hybrid RX 350, powered solely by an internal combustion engine, was the smoothest and quietest drivetrain. It delivered acceptable power.

Despite Toyota’s dominance in hybrid sales, the internal combustion component of its hybrids tends to have a droning sound. That was true of both RX hybrids.

The RX 350h hybrid’s acceleration is not impressive, but has the best fuel economy: 37 mpg in the city, 34 on the highway and 36 in combined driving, according to preliminary figures.

The more powerful RX 500h hybrid has the best acceleration – 5.9 seconds 0-60 mph compared with 7.4 for the 350h hybrid and 7.2 for AWD models of the gasoline-only RX 350. It also has the highest top speed, 130 mph versus 124 for the RX 350 and 112 for the RX 350h.

The RX’s ride is tuned for comfort more than handling. Even F Sport models of the RX 500h showed noticeable body roll when driven enthusiastically on curving, hilly roads.

A bossy attention monitor

The RX’s calling card has always been interior design more than sporty character. The 2023 model continues that emphasis with available bamboo, aluminum or open-pore wood trim.

The controls are refreshingly easy to use, including the 14-inch touch screen in the well-equipped models I drove.

Lexus’ internally developed digital assistant responds well to requests for navigation, points of interest, climate control and more.

Other features include:

  • Digital key, unlocking and starting the vehicle with a smart phone

  • Cloud-based navigation with Google POI search

  • Wireless charging

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

  • Head-up display

  • Mark Levinson audio with 21 speakers

All those features will be welcome, but Lexus’ attention monitor is just annoying. Available on all models, its only purpose is to make sure the driver pays attention when using Lexus’ limited low-speed, hands-free driving system, called traffic jam assist.

Like a nagging aunt, the feature repeatedly beeped and flashed written messages telling drivers to sit up straight. It needs better tuning, and should only be active in conjunction with traffic jam assist.

The RX is Lexus’ bestselling vehicle, and the sales leader in an extremely popular market segment, but the 2023 model fails to raise the bar significantly. Perhaps the plug-in hybrid will change that, when it arrives.

2023 Lexus RX at a glance:

Base price: TBA

Front- or all-wheel drive five-passenger midsize luxury SUV

On sale late 2022

Specifications as tested:

Primary model tested: RX 350 AWD

Powerplant: 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder

Output: 275 hp @ 6,000 rpm; 317 pound-feet of torque @ 1,700-3,600 rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Manufacturer estimated fuel economy: 21 mpg city/28 highway/24 combined

EPA estimated annual fuel cost: TBD

Wheelbase: 120.5 inches

Length: 192.5 inches

Width: 75.6 inches

Height: 67.3 inches

Passenger volume: TBD

Cargo volume: 29.6 behind rear seat; 46.2cubic feet behind front

Ground clearance: TBD inches

Curb weight: 4,310 pounds

Towing capacity: TBD

Assembled in Cambridge, Ontario, and Kyushu, Japan

Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2023 Lexus RX SUV has advanced tech, luxury, and one annoying feature