Recent years of the Lexus RX have had three primary attributes to potentially win over midsize-SUV shoppers: distinctive styling, a lower-than-average price tag among its peers, and the perceived reliability of its parent company. But it's also been not all that exciting to drive and let down by a central display screen's user interface that's frustrating and distracting to use while you're behind the wheel.
The redesigned RX will offer four different powertrain combinations, as designated by the numbers following the RX prefix. The RX 500h F Sport Performance uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and a hybrid system to produce a hearty 367 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Lexus says 0-60 mph will take a respectably quick 5.9 seconds. The last-generation RX 450h we tested, which had 308 hp, needed 7.3 seconds to get up to 60 mph.
The RX interior gets a comprehensive overhaul, with all the usual Lexus luxury touches appearing in place: perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, wood trim and brushed metal accents. The most obvious change is in the center console, where a large touchscreen floats above thin horizontal air vents, replacing the narrower widescreen display of the previous RX.
An updated bundle of safety technologies, called Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, is also included. It adds new features and enhances existing features such as pedestrian detection, intersection support (alerts if the system deems a possible collision while making a left turn through an intersection), motorcyclist detection, adaptive cruise control that can slow down for curves, and a self-parking system that can reverse into perpendicular parking spaces.
Edmunds saysBolder styling diminishes the RX's formerly more subtle design, but updated infotainment and driver assist features should help the RX keep pace with its European luxury rivals. And if you're looking for a sporty luxury SUV, then the RX 500h F Sport Performance should be the model to focus on.
