Fifth-gen Lexus RX has broad range, including performance

With a lot of credibility, Lexus claims that it was first out of the gate in the late 1990s with a car-based, high-luxury interpretation of an SUV, what became the first RX 300, and which rang up strong sales immediately on its Toyota Camry-derived platform. That evolution is continuing with the rollout of the fifth-generation Lexus RX, riding on a new platform and with a clutch of powertrain options, including both an Atkinson-cycle, plug-in hybrid driveline and a new, full-on performance model.

Riding on the new Global Architecture-K platform, the 2023 Lexus RX will be sold across five levels: Standard, Premium, RX-first Premium+, Luxury, F SPORT Handling and RX-first, F SPORT Performance. The RX 500h performance model will produce 271 horsepower via a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine matched to a six-speed automatic transmission and a single electric motor. A second, 80kW electric motor at the rear wheels will boost the performance model’s overall output to 366 horsepower, thus creating an all-wheel-drive experience.