Lexus Launches RX Crossover And ES Sedan In India

Toyota's luxury division, Lexus, has officially begun their operations in India with the launch of three products. The RX crossover/SUV and ES sedan will lead the charge for the company to set up base in India. Lexus will not have it easy in the country, even though it does have a fan following here.

The Lexus RX luxury crossover range in India includes the RX 450h Luxury, priced at Rs 1.07 crore, and the RX 450h F Sport, priced at Rs 1.10 crore, ex-showroom Delhi. 

The Lexus ES luxury sedan is offered only as the ES 300h hybrid variant and is priced at Rs 55.27 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. 

Update (12th May, 2017): Lexus ES 300h Driven! Click for the review. 

Let’s take a look at the vehicles Lexus has launched in India.

Lexus RX 

The RX stands out among the company's range in India -- it is more stylish and has a compact footprint as compared to the LX and ES. Two variants of the crossover are on offer: the hybrid-powered RX 450h Luxury and the sportier RX 450h F Sport.

Highlights on the outside include all-LED headlights, 'Spindle' grille, LED cornering lamps, 20-inch aluminium alloy wheels, illuminated door handles, a moon-roof etc. The F Sport variant gets an exclusive grille and front splitter along with 20-inch wheels with a different design.

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Inside, the features include a heads-up display, ergonomics seats with backrest angle adjustment for the rear seats, 10-way electrically adjustable front seats, wireless charging, 60:40 rear seats, touchless rear hatch opening etc. The F Sport gets dark rose interior, 8-way adjustable front seats, sport pedals, paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, sport instrument cluster with performance display etc. A 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround system is offered as standard on both variants.

The RX 450h Luxury and F Sport are powered by a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 3.5-litre V6 petrol motor and two electric motors (one on each axle). The power is sent through an eCVT transmission through an intelligent AWD system. The combined power output of the system is 313PS and 335Nm of peak combined torque, with the RX 450h accelerating from 0-100kmph in 7.7 seconds and going on to hit 200kmph. Claimed fuel-efficiency is 18.8kmpl.

Lexus ES

The Lexus ES is the only sedan in the company's lineup in India currently and is offered exclusively with a hybrid powertrain. The Lexus ES 300h is all about frugal but luxurious motoring for the person looking for something different.

The ES 300h boasts of an edgy design that is also very aerodynamic; highlights include all-LED headlights arranged in the Lexus signature 'L' shape, 'Spindle' grille etc.

On the inside, the ES300h features ambient illumination, a panoramic moon-roof, tyre pressure monitor, parking assist system, hill-start assist, and 10 airbags. Equipment offered as standard include cruise control, 15-inch Mark Levinson surround sound system, a powered rear sunshade, 3-zone air conditioning system, 19-way adjustable front seats

The hybrid drivetrain, consisting of a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol motor paired to an electric motor driving the front wheels, develops a combined power output of 205PS and maximum torque of 213Nm. A start/stop system along with EV-only drive mode allow the ES to stretch the distance the car can go on a single litre of fuel with a claimed fuel-efficiency of 17.8kmpl.

Lexus has also announced that LX flagship SUV will be officially launched later in the year. The LX range will consist of the only the diesel-powered LX 450d and not the petrol-powered LX 570. The company has also announced that it will launch its flagship sedan, the LS, later – it will be offered in the top-of-the-line LS 600h trim.

Lexus has four dealerships currently up and running in India, in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Exclusive after sales service centres have also been set up in Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kochi and Chennai.