Lexus RX270: Australia's new entry-level luxury SUV

By Anthony Crawford | June 26th, 2012

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Lexus has launched the all-new Lexus RX270 (as previously reported on CarAdvice) at $69,900 in response to growing demand in the small and medium SUV segments.

The two-wheel-drive Lexus RX270 joins the new-look RX350 and RX450h models also launched today and represents the first time the Japanese luxury carmaker has included a four-cylinder variant in the RX model range in Australia.

The 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine produces 138kW of power at 5800rpm and 252Nm of torque at 4200rpm. It can run on 91 Octane fuel and has a combined fuel economy of 9.7 litres per 100km.

The RX270 will go up against the successful Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Range Rover Evoque and in typical Lexus style, is fully equipped with a host of standard equipment including 18-inch alloy wheels; satellite navigation with traffic alert; smart entry and smart start; reversing camera with guide assist; power rear tailgate; eight-way power seats; leather-accented interior; Bluetooth audio with music streaming and voice command; steering wheel easy access; daytime running lights; 12-speaker audio system; digital audio; privacy glass; and metallic paint. The only optional extra on the RX270 is a sunroof.

The Lexus RX270 comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.

Unlike the RX350 and RX450h models that are available in three trim levels; Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury, the Lexus RX270 is only available in one specification.

However, given the success of the F Sport models to date, it stands to reason that demand for an RX270 F Sport will eventually warrant serious consideration by Lexus Australia.

All new Lexus RX models go on sale at Lexus dealers immediately.

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Sydlocal

Sounds like the 2.7L 4cyl petrol engine out of the Hilux Workmate with a bit of a “freshen up”….
- D4D
  
  Actually the engine they fitted in is a larger displacement version of the Camry’s engine (2.7 vs Camry’s 2.5)…good they bring this to Australian market…as a school bus around town…seriously doesn’t need to have a 6 cyl engine.
  - Guest
    
    ^ spot on, just because two engines are the same capacity from the same manufacturer doesnt mean they’re in any way related. Apparently the RX270′s engine is actually a pretty sweet engine.
    - Sydlocal
      
      I understand that. Hence why I put two at the end!
    - Jayzt
      
      Example 2GR-FE found in Aurion, Kluger’s & RX350 makes 200kW or 204kW when used with PULP & the 2GR-FSE found in GS350 & IS350 makes 233kW with PULP
      
      Having experienced both of them engines, you really do not feel much deference despite the power difference..
      
      They are both extremley smooth, with the 2GR-FE being the smoother engine and better engine at low 1000-2000rpm
      
      But the 2GR-FSE has a gutsy growl and roar from 4000rpm onwards and it is more powerful lol..
      
      Other V6 etc engines such as 370Z may have more ‘power’ but the Toyota/Lexus engines are much better all-round engines.. Have driven 370Z and it was a good car, but IS350 engine was better, even the Aurion engine was better.. Smoother, better low-middle end power..
      - Phil
        
        Yea, smooth engine, who cares (and when was the last time a brand new car had a rough engine)?
        Pretty pointless having that much power in those cars, particulary the Klugar and Ewwrion with their hopeless chassis, remote steering and overly instrusive traction control.
      - Noddy
        
        I get that you want to insult the Aurion by calling it Ewwrion (childish to say the least, but I’ll ignore it) but saying Klugar doesn’t give a second meaning and is just incorrect spelling. You are a nonce.
- Bleh
  
  Why not a Mitsubishi 2.6L 4-cyl Astron engine stroked out by 0.1L to 2.7L lol. Methinks this 2.7L and the 2.7L in the Hilux and Hiace are different. But if they put the 2.7L from the Hilux in, it would last forever?
- Rntt
  
  It’s not that engine you idiot..
  - Sydlocal
    
    I don’t deny it isn’t the same engine in the Workmate. It was a joke/stir/humour/banter, whatever you want to call it. How much more do I have to spell it out without putting it in capital letters at the start and the end that I was “taking the mickey” out of it! Australia is fast losing its sense of humour.
    I even put TWO winks at the end to emphasise it to the people who may not have much of a sense of humour or are a little “slow” at reading. It is not my fault you are one of them….idiot….
    - salvos
      
      To be fair, the joke isn’t really a fresh one.
      - salvos
        
        p.s.
      - Sydlocal
        
        Not when it comes to anything to do with Toyota!
Turbo123

I thought it would be $49,990 or $59,990 drive away no more to pay. I have saved up some $$. Anyway I hope the new IS will be $44,990 or $49,990 so I can buy that instead.

If it’s $70,000 coins, I’d rather get the Land Cruiser petrol with 230KW V8 engine from the top of the range Lexus LS430. The Land Cruiser GXL has satnav as standard and would be equally or more comfy than this 4-cyl Lexus and I could take it for a blast up the national parks or snowfields on weekends and I could tow a 3T caravan in the future. Also I could stand high parking next to a Pootrol.
- Smart US
  
  you are so right…
- Des KSA
  
  As usual we get ripped off. $40000 in the US and you get the 3.5 litre RX. If Skoda can give us the same price as the Poms pay for a Roomster and Honda can drop the price of a Civic by $4K then why do we have to put up with these over inflated prices from Australian importers. Price gouging is what it is. We see it everywhere. Bring on the senate inquiry.
- F1
  
  The IS350 makes 233Kw from just a 3.5L V6
  
  Just goes to show that V8′s are useless, heavy and don’t really have much performance over modern V6′s which are perfect blend of performance & economy etc etc
  - ggg
    
    Thats funny, the IS350 guzzles 9.4L100km and puts out a poor 223grams Co2. It’s the worst in it’s class for efficiency. Hardly a perfect blend. It’s barely anymore economical than the 412KW BMW M5 which uses 9.9L100km and puts out 232grams Co2.
    - Jking
      
      Yeah drive that M5 and you’ll be lucky if you get anything under 20L/100Km
      
      Plus to show the Lexus engine superiority, compare the 2GR-FSE against the 3.5L Mercedes engine found in C350 and S350 etc.. Very fair comparison.. And you’ll get the point
      
      There’s both 335i and IS350′s here and both are driven very hard and currently the 335i is averaging a displayed 15.2l/100km and the IS350 that’s driven much harder, WOT as soon as startup etc and it is currently averaging a displayed 13.7l/100km
      - Phil
        
        The Mercedes C350 uses 8.2L100km which is far better than the Lexus IS350…whats your point?
        
        In the June edition of Motor magazine they comapred the 335i and IS350, the 335i was faster AND more fuel efficient.
    - pedro phil
      
      It all adds up, I guess. People are so obsessive over tenths of a litre and what not these days.
Pirate Post Office

Why?
- lips
  
  I guess because they think there’s a gap to fill and from which they can generate profit. I mean, isn’t that why most auto companies release new models?
Able

0-100 in 11 seconds… Wow!
- Smart US
  
  engineering marvel
- Johnnii
  
  Agree wow. Expect economy to blow up.
- Legnab
  
  My thoughts too Able , torqueless motor , no AWD , just destroyed the image .
  
  Just get a jeep grand diesel for the same money , more street cred , lexus looks so soft now .
  - Hashj
    
    But 99.9% of people who buy Lexus RX’s don’t care about those things..
    - ula
      
      Yes, most people who buy luxury SUVs in generaly don’t have those high on their shopping list.
      - Jkwark
        
        They mustn’t have style or taste on their minds either. that interior is hideous… I don’t know how or why Lexus believe any normal person would find that dashboard (design???) appealing.
      - quack
        
        It’s subjective, I guess? LOL. Also, maybe they aren’t occupied with superficial aspects like how the dashboard looks. Maybe it’s very functional or ergonomic.
TG

Can’t wait for the 4 cylinder Kluger to arrive.
JP

Horrible dash
Doctor

Does it have “WorkMate” decals on the front doors?
- Nurse
  
  Well, the model in the picture doesn’t have any, so I assume no.
sam123

Oh my! Would you buy one of these for 70k instead of a Jeep Grand Cherokee for 50k?

Me neither.
- TG
  
  You’re comparing apples and oranges there, and the apples are rotten anyway (i.e. apples = Jeep garbage).
  - Phil
    
    But the RX is just a Klugar in a suit.
    - pedro phil
      
      No, not really. They’re based on different platforms.
      - Phil
        
        platforms which are based on each other.
Rntt

Who ever chooses this over the 3.5L V6 is an idiot..

You won’t even save fuel..
- Blueberry
  
  Its not to save fuel. Its to get more people into the Lexus RX. It effectively lowers the entry price to make it more affordable. What surprised me is how Lexus doesnt offer multiple trim grades for the RX270 such as Luxury/F Sport. They may add it down the track.
JamesB

I just find this thing pointless. Why buy this if your neighbour’s Kluger will outrun and out-tow it? Diesel is a more welcome addition. Or Lexus could have made a smaller SUV and pit it against the X3.
Doctor

I can just see a RAV4 tarted-up as a R(?)X240……
K20A

Failure to achieve at least 100Nm/L is unacceptable.. even worse at 4200rpm.

Cmon Lexus you can do better!
Sco

bandaid solution to a serious deficiency in the lexus range
Matter of time before their 400 units per month is ursurped by other brands… 8 year old IS, an already tired (and discounted) RX range, irrelevant LX, misaligned LS, underwhelming GS range, and a impractical CT hatchback.
- Heath Russell
  
  The new GS is awesome ! agree the IS is getting long in the tooth but its still a damn nice car.. the CT aint bad either.
  i bet half you people have never actually owned a lexus, and while you rag on them they continually win on quality, and for a luxury car i find both quality and comfort top of the list.