2023 Lexus RX First Drive: Boring Isn’t At all times Bad

Car lovers all the time crap on the Lexus RX for being a boring automobile, and so they’re not fully improper. The RX is steadfastly standard by design, arguably making it higher at its job. See, when Lexus comes up with a brand new RX, the automaker is essentially contemplating the opinions and tastes of people that already personal an RX — a bunch that may make up roughly 33 % of the brand new mannequin’s gross sales.

That’s why the RX hardly ever sees enormous adjustments in efficiency, know-how or styling. Lexus is all the time cautious to make incremental, intuitive enhancements to its bread-and-butter SUV. That’s additionally why the 2023 RX is such an enormous deal: It’s constructed on a totally completely different platform, which makes for a number of the greatest (on paper) adjustments within the mannequin’s historical past. That received us curious sufficient to attend the launch of the brand new RX close to Santa Barbara, CA.

Full disclosure: Lexus wished me to drive the brand new RX so badly, the corporate paid for my resort and meals for 2 nights in Santa Barbara. I drove up in my 52-year-old Mercedes with no air con, narrowly avoiding warmth exhaustion on the way in which.

The 2023 Lexus RX can be out there at launch in a handful of flavors. There is the bottom non-hybrid RX 350, the hybrid RX 350h and the top-tier RX 500h. These all trip on the identical GA-Ok platform shared with the Lexus NX, which implies the NX’s wonderful infotainment system (wonderful in comparison with earlier variations, anyway) makes its method into the RX. But so do the NX’s digital door latches, which Lexus calls “Digital Latch with Safe Exit Assist.” Those aren’t so good, however extra on that stuff later.

The base non-hybrid RX provides 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with an eight-speed automated transmission and both entrance or all-wheel drive. The RX 350h makes use of an Atkinson-cycle 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine and a hybrid-electric motor producing a complete system output of 246 hp and 233 lb-ft and paired with a CVT and an electrical motor on the rear axle. Hybrid RX fashions are all-wheel drive solely.

Finally, the flagship RX 500h makes use of the turbocharged engine from the bottom mannequin, however provides an electrical motor to the rear axle. This bumps complete system energy to a wholesome 366 hp and 406 lb-ft. Interestingly, the 500h is paired with a six-speed automated transmission. I requested Lexus representatives why the 500h makes do with two fewer ahead gears than the bottom mannequin, however they didn’t have a solution for me.

As you would possibly count on, with so many hybrids on provide, the RX is fairly targeted on gasoline economic system, and the numbers right here aren’t precisely disappointing. The base mannequin guarantees 22 mpg metropolis, 29 freeway, 25 mixed in front-drive kind. Knock off 1 mpg throughout the board while you add all-wheel drive. The 350h does significantly better with 37 mpg metropolis, 34 freeway, 36 mixed. The 500h isn’t dangerous both at 27 metropolis, 28 freeway, 27 mixed.

As you would possibly count on, none of those powertrains are going to gentle your hair on hearth with their efficiency. They’re all completely positive. The 500h is clearly probably the most fulfilling with the additional energy enhance, however it additionally advantages from digital adaptive suspension and, critically, four-wheel steering. It’s the one mannequin out of the three to supply these options, and so they do make a distinction. It’s additionally value mentioning that the 500h is just out there as an F Sport mannequin.

Overall, trip consolation throughout the trim ranges is excessive, which isn’t shocking. The RX is a luxurious SUV firstly, and other people purchase them as a result of they’re good to trip in. The steering is direct however lacks any suggestions. The brakes are positive — don’t count on sports activities automobile efficiency and also you received’t be upset. These would possibly sound like factors in opposition to the RX, however they actually aren’t. A big a part of what makes the RX good is a clear-cut definition of its position as a automobile.

Exterior styling, whereas subjective, has been improved over the outgoing technology. Lexus calls the brand new, up to date styling language “Spindle Body,” which sounds worse than it’s. The Lexus company predator grille has been toned down considerably (thank goodness), and the remainder of the physique isn’t terribly overstyled — aside from the floating roof, which Lexus says its RX patrons love, even when we don’t.

Inside, issues are typical Lexus. Even within the base mannequin, the supplies are good, and every little thing feels extraordinarily properly put-together. The non-compulsory 14-inch infotainment display screen is huge, shiny and responsive. The smaller 9.8-inch base-model display screen isn’t any penalty. Wireless Android Auto and wi-fi Apple CarPlay are normal.

My favourite a part of any Lexus product is the Mark Levinson stereo system. For 2023, the Levinson setup within the RX will get upgraded to 21 audio system, and the distinction is noticeable. The stereo is likely one of the greatest you may get in a sub-$100,000 automobile, and anybody who buys a Lexus with out the Levinson improve is doing it improper. If you need the Levinson stereo, Lexus requires you to get the bigger infotainment display screen, however inexplicably, the inverse just isn’t true: You can get the bigger display screen with the lame base-spec stereo. Don’t try this.

When it involves security and driver help know-how, the RX excels. All fashions within the RX vary get Lexus Safety System Plus 3.0, which incorporates adaptive cruise management, lively lane-keep help, blind spot monitoring with motorbike detection, automated emergency braking and cross-traffic warning. Other out there options embrace lively parking help, a heads-up show and that annoying Digital Latch characteristic.

If you’re unfamiliar with Lexus’ digital door-latch tech, it’s mainly a door button that does the job of a traditional inside door deal with. If the automobile senses one thing approaching from behind (by way of radar), it’ll stop you from opening your door, regardless of how ceaselessly or forcefully you hit the button. It’s a sensible characteristic, conceptually, however I don’t love the way it’s applied within the NX or the RX. You can nonetheless open the doorways manually, however Lexus doesn’t encourage this.

When it involves ergonomics, within the new RX, issues are good however not nice. The entrance seats aren’t wonderful, and at six-foot-four, I discovered it powerful to get a really comfy place. Smaller drivers most likely received’t wrestle as a lot. The rear seats have been extraordinarily roomy with ample headroom, although, which is all the time good. Cargo area is cheap at 29.59 cubic ft with all of the seats up and 46.19 cubic ft with the rear seats folded. The RX can be initially supplied solely as a two-row SUV, however a three-row mannequin isn’t out of the realm of chance.

Unsurprisingly, Lexus has as soon as once more nailed its method by making the 2023 RX an inoffensive, unspectacular, extraordinarily approachable and habitable luxurious SUV. It’s completely different sufficient from the outdated one to make new patrons listen, however not so completely different that it’ll scare off the all-important repeat RX purchaser.

It feels well-made, like it’ll stand the take a look at of time. Being a Lexus, it provides patrons the possibility to hitch (or stick with) the legendarily high-quality gross sales and repair expertise supplied by most Lexus sellers. Frankly, this stuff will promote like loopy, and their house owners will love them. I do know it’s not a core Jalopnik automobile, however boring isn’t all the time dangerous, particularly when it’s accomplished to serve a function. Here, it’s been accomplished very properly. I’d inform my mother to purchase one.

Lexus hasn’t given out pricing data for the 2023 RX line, however it anticipates all three variants can be out there in sellers by the tip of 2022.