2023 Lexus RX 350 Luxury: New Design, New Tech And New Powertrains

 

Highlight: The RX will be available as a plug-in model during the 2024 model year.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $64,065 (Base Model: $48,750)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection system; a radar activated cruise control system; lane tracing assist system; lane departure with steering assist; intelligent high beam headlamps; a front collision warning system; an automatic braking system; blind spot electronic monitor with a rear traffic alert system; a daytime cyclist detection system; rain-sensing windshield wipers; rear back up camera; side mirrors with integrated turn lamps; and a first aid kit

Standard Equipment (Base): 19-inch wheels; an 8-speed automatic transmission; pseudo leather interior; 8-way power front seats; a multi zone climate control system; heated front seats; paddle shifters; a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel; and a power rear hatch

Standard Equipment (Luxury): 21-inch wheels; 10-way power front seats; leather seats; suede interior door trim; a luxury design seat; 4 way lumbar support for a driver and passenger; and a heads up display (HUD) system

Options: cold area package; digital rear-view mirror; power rear seat; heated and ventilated rear seats; triple beam headlights; panorama glass moonroof; Mark Levinson 21-speaker surround audio system; power rear door with kick sensor; an advanced park; 360-degree monitor; a traffic jam assist system; carpet cargo mat; and side puddle lamp

Other Trim Levels:

RX 350h

RX 450h

RX 500h F Sport

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 12-speaker audio system with AM/FM/HD/CD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 70,000 miles

Standard RX 350 Engine/Horsepower: 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine/275-hp

Recommended Fuel: Premium

Standard Fuel Mileage: 22-city/29-hwy

Maximum Towing Capacity: 3,484 lbs (with tow package)

What’s New:  The brand’s fifth-generation RX is all-new for the 2023 model year.

Why: 

A variety of trims

A stylish side profile

Available front wheel drive and all-wheel drive configuration

Heated and ventilated rear seats available

Comfortable ride

Less edgy exterior design, when compared to its predecessor

New powertrains

A plug-in model will be available during the 2024 model year

A 14-inch infotainment touchscreen is available

Panorama roof available

A high-end Mark Levinson Audio System

Rear steering available on the RX 500h F Sport

Wireless Apple Carplay

An optional digital latch with safe exit is designed to prevent the door from opening and warn of motorists and cyclists approaching

The optional digital rearview mirror increases one field of vision

Wireless phone charging

The extended RX-L version was eliminated (and replaced with the 2024 Lexus TX).

A high level of safety driving aids

An advanced optional automatic parking system

A hands-free traffic steering system is available

 

But: 

The front fascia is still somewhat polarizing

The wheel design on our test vehicle seemed dated

The RX has a slightly lower towing capacity than the previous model.

A complicated infotainment system requires an inconsistent voice activation system to control many of its functions.

Smaller engine requires premium fuel

No 6-cylinder engine available

A power sunroof should be standard on all trims

 

Verdict:  Lexus has revamped the RX, its best-selling model, for the 2023 model year. The luxury utility vehicle, which is available in 6 trims, rides on an all-new platform. While the new RX looks smaller, it has a slightly longer wheelbase and a lower profile, than its predecessor. 

It appears that Lexus is making great strides to appeal to a younger demographic with this generation's RX.

And for those who thought the previous model grille was too bold, Lexus design team decided to tone it down, with the new redesign, making it less polarizing.

The new RX, which can be configured in a front wheel drive or an all-wheel drive package, is complimented by new powertrains too. The powertrains range from a 2.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine to a 2.5-liter hybrid engine to a 2.4-liter turbocharged high-performance hybrid, which pumps out 366-horsepower. Unlike the previous generation RX, this year’s powertrains now require premium fuel.

Moreover, the RX has a high-level of standard driving aids plus such new optional features as an automatic assist advance parking system and a hands-free traffic jam steering assist system. Less utilizing the parking system, we were able to have a stress-free driving experience once we activated the copilot radar assist steering system on our out of state weekend road trip.

Lastly, while the RX have made advances in this year’s model, replacing the less than intuitive mouse-like touchpad controller for a subscription-based voice assistant that inconsistently offers aid to control the infotainment center, we found the new system to be a nuisance and probably more troublesome than the system it replaced.

Overall, the RX has moved the needle in terms of powertrains offering, luxury features and a new design theme. Critics wonder is it enough to fight off of some of the new more contemporary stylish designs and easier to use infotainment systems being offered from some of its competitors? Time will tell. 

Competition: Acura MDX; Cadillac XT5; Genesis GV70; Infiniti QX60; Lincoln Nautilus; Mercedes-Benz GLE; and Volvo XC60