2023 Lexus RX Powertrain Options, Performance & Efficiency

Dating back to 1998, when it was first introduced to the world, the Lexus RX has been building itself quite the legacy in the two decades plus since. Now, for the 2023 model year, the Lexus RX is all-new as it enters its fifth generation. We’ve already touched on many of the things you can expect from the 2023 Lexus RX, but today we wanted to focus on the newest iteration of the midsize luxury crossover’s powertrain options, paying special attention to each one’s performance and fuel efficiency.

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Gasoline Only Options

As electrification continues to rise and spread throughout the automotive industry, we’re seeing more and more hybrid and battery electric vehicles enter the market alongside more and more gas-only models disappearing. Lexus isn’t getting rid of the traditional RX by any means, but there is only one powertrain option for the conventional style. The Lexus RX 350 is powered by a 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine capable of generating 275 horsepower alongside 317 pound-feet of torque. The engine is tethered to an eight-speed automatic transmission and either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. FWD models achieve 22 miles per gallon through the city and 29 mpg on the highway, while AWD models get 21/28 mpg respectively.

Hybrid Options

Unlike its conventional gas-only counterpart, all of the hybrid options come standard with an all-wheel drive system. The RX 350h combines a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine with Lexus Hybrid Electric Drive. These models are capable of generating 246 total horsepower as well as 233 lb-ft. of torque, while achieving 37 mpg through city streets and 34 mpg on the highway. Alternatively, there’s the RX 500h F Sport Performance, which replaces the engine in the hybrid powertrain with a 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder, which boosts performance to 366 hp and 406 lb-ft. of torque, though efficiency drops to 27/28 mpg respectively.

Finally, a 450h+ is still on the horizon for a late release, though specifications have yet to be released. We know that this model will be a plug-in hybrid rather than a traditional hybrid, and it will combine a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine with an 18.1-kWh lithium-ion battery and an E-Four motor.

If you have any questions about the all-new 2023 Lexus RX, don’t hesitate to give us a call here at Lexus of Henderson!