Lexus RX buyer's guide: The best picks for the school run and commute

Lexus offers many models in Australia, but few have the rich history of the RX large SUV.

It’s a nameplate that dates back decades, and one of the Japanese luxury brand’s best sellers in 2024.

Positioned as a premium large SUV to rival European heavyweights, the Lexus RX comes in six flavours and with the choice of three powertrains Down Under, plus a lengthy options list.

That leaves potential buyers with some big decisions to make. Petrol or hybrid? Front- or all-wheel drive? Base model or loaded flagship?

Muddying the waters further is the likelihood of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version arriving in Australia next year.

There’s a lot to unravel, which is why we’ve put together this Lexus RX buyer’s guide.

CarExpert can help you find the best deal on a new Lexus RX. Check out our latest offers, and let us put you in touch with a dealer.

Pricing

To see how the Lexus RX stacks up against its competitors, use our comparison tool.

Lifecycle

The Lexus RX is in its fifth generation, after first launching as a model in the late 1990s.

Lexus revealed the current RX back in 2022, built on the GA-K platform and bringing an entirely redesigned exterior and interior, along with a new selection of engines including various hybrids.

Unlike the previous AL20-series RX, the latest ALA10/ALH10-designated models are only available with five seats.

Each RX generation has lasted around half a decade, so we’re unlikely to see a brand-new model until 2027 at the earliest.

Deals are being offered on 100s of new cars now. Contact a dealer using CarExpert for the best deal or call our Concierge team on 1300 587 992.

Dimensions

Deals are being offered on 100s of new cars now. Contact a dealer using CarExpert for the best deal or call our Concierge team on 1300 587 992.

Drivetrains and efficiency

Three unique powertrains are offered across the RX lineup, each with benefits and drawbacks.

Base (350h) versions of the RX come with the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid powertrain with a CVT automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive. It’s the most efficient powertrain of the lot, and produces the least CO2.

The 2.4-litre turbo-petrol engine can only be had with mid-range (RX350) variants. While it shaves weight out of the car and offers plenty of grunt, it’s also the least fuel-efficient option.

At the top of the range sits the RX500h F Sport Performance with its 2.4-litre turbo-petrol hybrid powerplant. As far as performance goes, this is the clear winner, although it’s on the heavier side. Fuel consumption is also reasonable at 6.5L/100km.

CarExpert can help you find the best deal on a new Lexus RX. Check out our latest offers, and let us put you in touch with a dealer.

Safety

The Lexus RX has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2022.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Intersection collision avoidance support
• Emergency steering assist
• Lane departure warning
• Lane Tracing Assist (lane centring)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Driver attention monitoring
• Speed sign recognition
• Surround-view camera
• Front and rear parking sensors

Standard equipment

There are four distinct trim levels in the local Lexus RX range.

RX Luxury equipment highlights:

• Bi-LED headlights
• LED daytime running lights, fog lights
• Heated exterior mirrors with driver’s side auto-dimming
• Rear privacy glass
• 19-inch alloy wheels with bright machined finish
• Roof rails
• Power tailgate
• 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Android Auto
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• 12-speaker Panasonic sound system
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Lexus Connected Services
• Five x USB-C outlets, two x 12V, one x USB-A
• 8-way power front seats with two-way power lumbar
• Heated front seats
• Leatherette upholstery
• Tri-zone climate control
• Power-adjustable steering column
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Paddle shifters
• Ambient lighting

RX F Sport adds:

• 21-inch gloss black alloy wheels
• Bi-LED headlights
  • BladeScan technology
  • Adaptive high-beam
  • Dynamic auto-levelling
  • Cornering lights
  • Headlight cleaners
• F Sport exterior appearance package with unique bumpers, grille
• Adaptive suspension
• Aluminium monobloc six-piston calipers
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Surround-view camera
• Dimpled leather-wrapped steering wheel
• F Sport scuff plates
• F Sport shifter
• F Sport instrument cluster
• Heated and ventilated front sport seats
• Aluminium pedals
• Easy access driver’s seat
• Touch-sensitive steering wheel controls
• Multi-colour ambient lighting
• 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system
• Active Noise Control
• Wireless phone charger
• Rear door sunshades
• Smart key card

RX Sport Luxury adds (over Luxury):

• Bi-LED headlights with adaptive high-beam
• 21-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels
• Surround-view cameras
• Adaptive suspension
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system
• Active Noise Control (RX350 only)
• 10-way power front seats with semi-aniline leather upholstery
• 4-way lumbar support and memory
• Heated steering wheel with woodgrain trim
• Power-folding and reclining rear seats
• Heated and ventilated outboard rear seats

RX 500h F Sport Performance adds (over F Sport):

• Enhancement Package(s)
• Matte black 21-inch alloy wheels
• Black aluminium monobloc front calipers
• Piano black bumper side moulding
• Body-coloured rocker trim
• Active Sound Control
• Dynamic Rear Steering

Lexus offers Enhancement Packs on most RXs, and on the RX350 F Sport there are two available. The $3000 Enhancement Pack 1 adds a panoramic sunroof, while the $4100 Enhancement Pack 2 includes this plus a digital rear-view mirror, semi-automatic parking assist, and a heated steering wheel.

Colours

The RX is available in the following exterior paint finishes:

• Sonic Chrome
• Sonic Iridium
• Graphite Black
• Sonic Copper
• Deep Blue (excludes F Sport Performance)
• White Nova (F Sport, F Sport Performance only)
• Cobalt Mica (F Sport, F Sport Performance only)
• Sonic Quartz (Luxury, Sports Luxury only)
• Titanium (Luxury, Sports Luxury only)
• Vermillion (Luxury, Sports Luxury only)
• Khaki Metal (Luxury, Sports Luxury only)

All bar Graphite Black cost an extra $1750.

Servicing and warranty

Lexus backs its vehicles with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The first five services will set you back $695 each across the range via Lexus’ capped-price service program.

CarExpert can help you find the best deal on a new Lexus RX. Check out our latest offers, and let us put you in touch with a dealer.

Competitors

Given the premium price point of the Lexus RX, it exists among a relatively shallow but well-known pool of competitors.

The RX range is uniquely positioned, in terms of both price and size, between mid-sized and large luxury SUV rivals including the BMW X3 and X5, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC and GLE.

For mid- to top-spec RX money, alternatives include the Range Rover Velar, Volvo XC90, and Audi Q7.

Although the list of competing models may be relatively short, buyers still have plenty of choice when it comes to specifications and powertrain.

For example, the Volvo, Land Rover and Audi all offer the option of seven seats, while PHEV, electric and diesel power feature across the segment.

Sales data

The RX has been a steady seller for Lexus in recent years, and it maintains a healthy percentage of market share in the premium large SUV segment.

Lexus has recorded 1726 RX sales this year to the end of October, which trumps the likes of the Volvo XC90, Volkswagen Touareg, and Audi Q7.

However, the RX is outsold by segment best-sellers such as the Land Rover Defender and BMW X5.

Compared to this time last year, RX sales are down by 28 per cent in 2024. While those numbers represent a considerable decline in demand for the plush Japanese SUV, deliveries are also down by 12 per cent right across the premium large SUV segment.

Buying a Lexus RX

There are only six Lexus RX variants currently on sale in Australia, but they vary in price by a whopping $38,000.

As such, selecting the right RX for your needs could save you thousands. Here are our picks of the range.

Comfortable commuter

When it comes to a commuting vehicle that will ferry you to the office in luxury, you can’t go wrong with any of the RX’s six variants.

With that said, the base hybrid in front-wheel drive specification makes a lot of sense from a value perspective.

Starting at just over $90,000 before on-road costs, the RX350h Luxury FWD is considerably cheaper than mid- and top-spec examples, and it doesn’t lose out on too many must-have features.

You still get a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, heated seats, power tailgate, 12-speaker sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and tri-zone climate control.

In addition, the FWD base model comes standard with the efficient, user-friendly hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive is a bit unnecessary for the concrete jungle.

Interested in buying a Lexus RX? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

Family wagon

The RX may not be available with seven seats, but it still has plenty of tools to be an excellent family car.

Spacious cabin? Check. Big boot? Also check. But which variant is best?

We’d argue that the mid-spec RX350h Sports Luxury takes the cake. Why? Well, because the kids will never be able to complain that they’re uncomfortable in the second row.

That’s because the Sports Luxury picks up heated and cooled rear seats with powered recline functionality. Pretty plush, right?!

The hybrid powertrain is the most efficient of the bunch, reducing the need for fuel stops on long road trips, and a 21-speaker sound system will spark plenty of impromptu karaoke sessions.

Interested in buying a Lexus RX? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Lexus RX