Lexus RX range update launched in Australia

By Anthony Crawford | June 26th, 2012

FIND DEALS

The new-look Lexus RX range has launched in Australia with dramatic styling changes to the Lexus RX350 and RX450h variants and the addition of an all-new four-cylinder, two-wheel-drive model; the Lexus RX270.

The updated Lexus RX range brings the luxury SUV into line with the brand’s new corporate face featuring Lexus’ new signature spindle grille.

For the first time Lexus has added a new RX F Sport variant for the RX350 and RX450h, adding a host styling changes to the exterior as well as more enhanced driving dynamics.

The new RX350 and 450h F Sport variants have replaced the previous Sport models while the Sports Luxury variant, now available in both RX350 and RX450h, remains the top-of-the-line specification.

The addition of the new four-cylinder petrol Lexus RX270 model now means Lexus is able to offer a choice of three drivetrains including the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and the 3.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid.

The RX270′s 2.7-litre powerplant generates 138kW and 252Nm and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift. According to Lexus, the RX270 will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 11 seconds with a top speed of 200km/h. Fuel consumption data on a measured ADR81/02 combined cycle is 9.7 litres/100km. That’s less than the 10.8 litres/100km for the RX350, but considerably more than the RX450h at 6.3 litres/100km.

The inclusion of the RX270 into the line-up means Lexus has reduced its entry-point into the RX range down to $69,900 (before on-road costs) – $12000 less than the previous RX entry level price point.

Pricing has also been reduced across the RX350 and RX450h line-ups with the RX350 Luxury now starting at $77,900 – a $5000 saving on the previous RX350 Prestige. Similarly, the RX450h now enters the market at $82,900 – a $6500 reduction. All told this means the Lexus RX now ranges from $69,900 for the RX270 to $100,900 for the range-topping RX450h Sports Luxury.

While making the range more affordable, Lexus has also added more standard features giving all RX models integrated satellite navigation with traffic alert; reversing camera with park assist; power tailgate; eight-way power front seats; leather-accented interior; smart entry and smart start; 12-speaker audio system; Bluetooth phone and music streaming; easy driver access; privacy glass; daytime running lamps; alloy wheels with space saver spare; electric steering column adjustment; digital radio (DAB+); roof rails; metallic paint and the second-generation Lexus remote touch controller (Lexus’ version of BMW’s iDrive).

The new RX350 sees the addition of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for the first time. The paddle shifters can be operated in both manual and automatic modes, with the multi-information display indicating gear position.

The new range benefits from a more rigid chassis, stronger dash panel and improvements to the steering response and feel. Lexus have adopted separate suspension calibrations for each of the three engine choices, although the RX350 and RX450h both have stiffer front and rear spring rates compared to the new RX270 model. The RX350 and 450h F Sport models also pick up Lexus performance dampers (developed by Yamaha) front and rear for improved handling and ride comfort.

The updated range receives the new-look Lexus interior, first seen in the recently released Lexus GS model, and features a new steering wheel inspired by the Lexus LF-A supercar; metallic-look highlights on the centre instrument panel and glove box; reduced clutter on the instrument panel; larger multi-information display for improved visibility and a redesigned tachometer face that changes illumination depending on the drive mode selected – red for sport and blue for Eco/Normal mode.

There’s a new 12-speaker audio system for the RX270 with the Luxury and F Sport models getting digital radio and voice control functions including phonebook dialling; number dialling; ‘Go home’ navigation command; and audio selection from a USB connected iPod. Sports Luxury variants pick up the Mark Levinson premium surround sound unit seeing a total of 15 speakers make their way into the top-of-the-range RX.

2013 Lexus RX model pricing:

RX270 – $69,900

RX350 Luxury – $77,900
RX350 F Sport – $85,900
RX350 Sports Luxury – $94,400

RX450h Luxury – $82,900
RX450h F Sport – $89,900
RX450h Sports Luxury – $100,900

Sponsored Ads

Guest

Wow – good value and looks better too
F1MotoGP

Just like Hyundai i30 Lexus prices are close to Euro cars. Nothing wrong with RX270 but Audi Q5 TDI or BMW X3 diesel is cheaper.
- FIDO
  
  All comes down to personal tastes, I guess.
- ge6257st
  
  waste of space.
Bleh

“…
the RX270 will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 11 seconds”. That’s slower than a 4 spd auto 1.8L Corolla or a 4 spd auto 1.5L Yaris.
- Meh
  
  ok
- bruzzer
  
  i would feel cheated if i purchased that car for $70k and did 11sec.
  honestly smart people will do their research before buying this.
  
  no matter how many luxury features it offers, so many other options out there.
Guest

I saw a white F-Sport 450h on the road yesterday, the facelift was very successful in improving the cars looks. The F-Sport looks really nice!
Modern Man

And they have recieved the new look dashboard.

Why then incorporate a 1980′s (maybe earlier) clock.

My parents had this clock in their corona, tarago and camry.

You have a coloured screen, why not incorporate it into that like EVERY other manufacturer does.
- MoMa
  
  Perhaps some people might find it more convenient for it to be standalone, instead of mixed up with everything else on the screen. A bit like the many manufacturers who include standalone analogue clocks, despite digital tech being readily available. Just one possible reason that I’m throwing out there.
mrxandthexfactor

The Australian RX450h looks different from that of the North American market. The North American looks like a normal RX350 but the Auzzie one looks like an F-Sport with chrome grille slats. Having said that, looks quite good.
pixxxels

I love the new Lexus styling theme, especially in F-sport trim. Amazingly it seems to work equally well on all their models of all shapes and sizes.
Where’s the prestige style?

Take off the badge and it looks just like and modern $35K Kia or Hyundai. Picture the RX without the badge and the design language is more mass-market Asian style than prestige market styling IMO.

The interiors do measure up however.

The Euro’s still seem to create a unique design language around their SUV’s.
- mrxandthexfactor
  
  How would you define ‘prestige’ then? In what way does the RX resemble some crumby Korean car? RX isn’t all that bad in terms of ‘prestige’.
  - ge6257st
    
    off yourself dolt
    - mrxandthexfactor
      
      your point?
- Pil
  
  I disagree. The design of this is pretty unique – I don’t think I’d be confusing this with any other SUV, as much as I wouldn’t be confusing an X3 or a Q5 for something else. Maybe to the very untrained eye this might seem like an M-class or something – I don’t know.
- ggg
  
  Underneath the “styling”, it’s mostly Toyota Klugar///
  - Phil
    
    Not really, they’re based on different platforms.
    - Phil
      
      From Toyota’s website for the Klugar front suspension:
      “Independent, Macpherson struts, L-arms, coil springs, gas dampers and boil jointed stabiliser arm”.
      
      From Lexus website for the RX350 front suspension:
      “Independent, Macpherson struts, L-arms, coil springs, gas dampers and bolt jointed stabiliser arm”.
      
      So, whats the difference there?
      - Phil
        
        Front suspension? That’s representative of the whole platform?
Schn

F-sport model in silver has some really nice lines.
BBG

Everybody knows Luxis is a luxury car coz it starts with lux, same as luxury.
- mrxandthexfactor
  
  Never heard of it.
- Blueberry
  
  Are you on crack
- Schn
  
  So… Mercedes is a luxury car because… it has what?
- BBQ
  
  You’re trying so hard to be funny, it hurts…
- emmy
  
  Don’t feed the troll, guys.
Dominique Vøn Hütch

OK let’s just say you’ve got more than enough money for a Lexus. But you’ve been really into cars your whole life and may have already had European cars that possibly handle better or they have a superior engine note etc. I think there comes a time when people just go…you know what f#ck it, I’m gonna get a Lexus. Because whatever ppl say about the brand or them being a Toyota or them being boring or unexciting or not fast enough or the hybrid isn’t as efficient as it ought to be yada yada yada. At the end of the day they’re one of the best equipped, best built, most reliable and relaxing vehicles to drive on the road. For the majority of driving conditions and times this is what you want in a car. As for the new 4 cylinder being too slow, irrelevant – well equipped (…DAB+ wtf sweet) and lower entry point. Deserves to do well.
- Phil
  
  If you were really “into cars” you would not be chasing those strengths you’ve listed for Lexus.
  Seen Lexus’ Australian sales figures for the last few years? Obviously very few people are suddenly deciding “I’m gonna get a Lexus”. They’ll sell a few of these, but most of those sales will simply substitute a RX350 or Klugar Grande sale.
  - Phil
    
    People who were really “into cars” would unlikely consider any of the luxury brands on the market here.
  - Will H
    
    I work in sales, industrial supplies. Our company is well respected, profitable,old ,reliable, steady and conservative. Competitors have come and gone, some have got aggressive on price and we have lost business. Then, we often win those clients back when our competitor promises the earth and delivers an atlas.
    I see you know little about sales and management if rush to judge knowing only a figure like gross sales numbers.
    Perhaps hey are right on target?
    I have had my sales target reduced because our factory couldn’t supply enough. It was actually more profitable to sell less at times. Business Isn’t as simple as you suggest or anyone could get it right.
    - Phil
      
      Ummm, if what “hutch” was true and many people were deciding “### it, I’m gonna get a Lexus”, then the sales figures would be reflecting that. I merely pointed out it wasn’t true.
      What does business or profits or supply or maangment or targets have to do with that?
Sco

Its amusing that Lexus plays catchup to the euros… but at such a distance! BMW puts out the X5 with sports pack in 2003… lexus debuts a proper sport pack in 2012… 9 years… wow. I wonder what else they’re waiting a decade to add…
- Re
  
  Won’t be long before a hybrid shows up in BMW, given their partnership with Toyota. Someone was playing catch-up, did you say?
  - Sco
    
    I’m sure the euro’s will launch their own hybrid vehicles, once its done right. Using current battery technologies… not heavy, inefficient Ni-Mh batteries from last century.
    - Will H
      
      I know a chap buying a new car for end of financial year. He has a 4yr old BMW and a 4yr old Lexus. Lexus, no probs.paying out residual and keeping car. 4 yr old BMW has had 4 cracked alloy wheels at $1300 each. Why you ask, is he running them into gutters? No unusual damage. They have been damaged through normal driving. A common BMW fault. The run flat tyres transmit impacts to the wheel through the stiff sidewalks that allow these tyres to run after a puncture. It’s ok on German autobahns but here we have bumps and pot holes. His first set of tyres were replaced well before they wore out because of punctures. They were unrepairable then. Now some run flats are repairable, but not if you have run them while flat. So he has also spent $5500 on tyres in 4 years. Then there was the turbo sucking oil ( under warranty) and the fuel pump failed (under warranty) key failure after warranty expired and various other smaller maladies, all expensive.
      No surprise now the lease is up no more BMW for him.
      This little story shows how the japs get it right and the euros try all sorts of fancy stuff that often fails to be reliable. Perhaps Lexus stay with nimh because it works.
      My colleagues BMW maladies taught me I was lucky that my wife is a skinflint and made me take the reliable Camry instead of a euro car. When I can stretch the budget I too will go Lexus to get the lux with Toyota reliability. Don’t get me started on my boss. He has a merc e280 that just cost 10 for a new gearbox.
      - Phil
        
        Nice fairytale.
        
        Do you honestly think run flat tyres are stronger than the wheel rim itself? Tell your freind to learn to drive.
Moesspot

I just bought a 10/10 build rx 450 h sports luxury,30000ks ex lexus exec vehicle, from a lexus dealer.$65000. immaculate. averaging 8.8l/100k fits 3 sets of golf clubs sideways in the back and is the nicest car i have ever sat in. I would never of even considered buying a 2yo Euro. I laugh everytime I hear someone sledge me about it being a toyota.My trade was a 7yo Kluger that had a radiator repair as it’s only hickup and sounded like a new car when i traded and got $17000. If thats where my Lexus started suits me fine.