Top 5 Things To Know About The Newly Launched Lexus RX

• Lexus RX launched in India at Rs 95.80 lakh (ex-showroom).

• Gets two trims: 350h and 500h.

• Both trims get strong-hybrid self charging powertrains.

• Fresh styling elements give the roofline a coupe-like feel.

• Japanese-inspired Tazuna interior concept boasts a driver-focused cabin.

• Features include a 14-inch touchscreen, powered and ventilated front seats and ADAS features

Lexus has unleashed the fifth-generation RX in India with prices starting from Rs 95.80 lakh (ex-showroom). It is available in two trims, both using strong-hybrid powertrains for maximum performance and efficiency. The new iteration of the SUV gets visual changes inside and out and here are five things you need to know about it:

Design

The spindle front grille, with its diamond shaped cut-outs, makes it look really aggressive and deceptively big in size. Along with the C-shaped side intakes (on the RX500h F-Sport+), the sharp but sleek LED headlights and the sculpted bonnet, you’ve got a really mean and sharp-edged looking front end. 

In profile, the new RX looks more like an SUV-coupe rather than an SUV and that is down to its sloping roofline which really drops down rather aggressively. The rear haunches become more muscular as you move towards the rear along with a crease that flows seamlessly into the side sills.

In typical modern styling language, the rear boasts a connected tail light with LED elements inside. The sculpted tailgate, roof spoiler and low-slung bumper are nice touches to the sporty yet curvaceous overall styling of the SUV.

Cabin

Lexus says that the RX’s cabin takes inspiration from the Japanese ‘Tazuna’ concept, which is a metaphor for the driver-oriented interior. That symbolic relationship becomes evident in the way the 14-inch touchscreen and the central console are slightly positioned towards the pilot. It is all about seamless and effortless communication and that is further aided by the three physical dials housed beneath the huge screens which offer functionality for the AC and sound control. 

Overall, the interior follows a clean design with sleek air vents and a rather coherent dashboard design, offering a rather unique appeal compared to the germans.

Features

The fifth-generation Lexus RX is the most opulent this nameplate has ever been and boasts features like a 14-inch infotainment system, customisable heads-up display, digital driver’s display, wireless phone charger, ventilated and heated front and rear seats, a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, 10-way powered front seats (350h) and eight-way powered front seats with memory function for the driver’s seat (500h).

Other equipment includes connected car technology, three-zone climate control, hands free tailgate, and multi-colour ambient lighting. In terms of safety, the RX packs hill-start assist, tyre-pressure monitoring system, ABS with EBD, seven airbags, and vehicle stability and traction control systems. It also gets ADAS features which include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and front-collision avoidance.

Powertrains

Lexus offers the RX with two variant options: 350h and 500h. Both of these feature a strong-hybrid powertrain, while the 350h variant packs a 2.5-litre petrol engine that combines with an electric motor to send 250PS and 242Nm to all four wheels via a CVT transmission. Its battery voltage is rated at 259.2V.

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The 500h variant on the other hand is a performance oriented variant and features a 2.4-litre strong-hybrid turbo-petrol engine, which produces a combined output of 371PS and 460Nm. Just like the 350h trim, power is transferred to all four wheels but is done so using a 6-speed automatic here. The battery pack has a voltage capacity of 288V.

Lexus has equipped the RX with the rear-wheel steering feature, which reduces the SUV’s turning circle and makes maneuvers in tight spaces much easier; while at higher speeds, it makes the car more dynamic. 

Price and rivals

With the two variants priced at Rs 95.80 lakh and Rs 1.18 crore (ex-showroom), the fully imported Lexus RX hasn’t technically gotten a whole lot more expensive, given that the previous generation was priced in the same ballpark. But for the same (almost) price, you get a sportier and more feature-laden SUV, which takes its fight to more affordable SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Land Rover Discovery, BMW X5 and Audi Q5.