Frequently Asked Questions about the Lexus RX

When the first Lexus RX 300 appeared in 1995, no one knew what it was. It was SUV-like but clearly far more refined than the SUVs of the day. As it turns out, it was the first luxury crossover in a world where “Crossover” didn’t even exist as an automotive term. The luxury car public may not have known exactly what it was, but they knew they liked it and bought them in the tens of thousands. In just a few years, it became the brand’s best-selling model.

Today, the RX model line remains the best-selling Lexus. In fact, aside from Tesla, it is the best-selling luxury-brand model line in the U.S. Now in its fifth generation and completely redesigned for 2023, the RX is better than ever at providing the space, luxury, technology, and driving experience the public wants in a luxury crossover. Since there are so many questions about the new 2023 model, Lexus of Henderson has developed this list of frequently asked questions and answers them. 

How Many Can the RX Seat?

The last generation RX included an extended-length RX model that offered a 3rd row to seat 7. However, for 2023, the RX resumes exclusively as a 2-row 5-seater, thus making way for the upcoming Lexus TX, a dedicated 3-row Lexus crossover.

What Is the Difference Between a RX 350, RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+?

The difference represents different drivetrains, with the RX model line offering everything from a conventional gas engine to hybrids to a plug-in hybrid. Here are the details:

• RX 350 – This model is powered by a 275-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged Inline-4 engine connected to an 8-speed transmission. It is available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD)
• RX 350h – The RX was the first Lexus hybrid back in 2005, and this model continues the legacy with a 2.4-liter inline-4 combined with two electric motors for a combined 246 horsepower. The system uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and has standard AWD. It is presently the most efficient RX with an EPA estimated city/highway/combined mpg rating of 27/34/36.
• RX 500 F Sport – This is the most powerful RX ever, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-4 with two electric motors for a combined 367 horsepower. A Direct-shift 6-speed automatic transmission channels power to a torque-vectoring Direct4 AWD system.
• RX 450h+ – Available later in 2023 as a 2024 model, the RX plug-in hybrid will combine a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine with 2 electric motors drawing from an 18.1-kWh (kilowatt-hour) battery.  It will have standard AWD and is expected to produce 304 horsepower and have an expected EV range of 37 miles. The purpose of a plug-in hybrid is to operate as an electric vehicle for the commute or daily short-distance driving but with a gas drivetrain for long-distance trips.

What kind of advanced technology is found in the RX?

The RX offers a choice of a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display, both of which are angled towards the driver, and both feature an anti-reflective coating for optimal clarity. Menu options are patterned after smartphone operations. Speaking of which, wireless AppleCarPlay® and Android AutoTM let your favorite travel and music phone apps appear on the screen without physically connecting a cable to your phone.

The available Advanced Park system uses four Parallel View Monitor (PVM) cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors to control steering, accelerator, brake, and shift operations for you to enter or exit parallel or perpendicular parking spaces. The available Traffic Jam Assist feature monitors surrounding traffic in condensed, low-speed driving situations, It will automatically accelerate and brake as needed to keep a set following distance behind the preceding vehicle while also staying centered between the lane lines. 

Every 2023 RX is also equipped with the latest Lexus Safety System (LSS+3.0), which includes several safety and driver assistance technologies including:

• Pre-Collision System (PCS) – engineered to help detect a vehicle or pedestrian in the path of your Lexus under certain conditions.
• Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) – Provides gentle braking into curves or gentle braking and/or steering to help control the distance between your vehicle and a preceding vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist.
• Road Sign Assist –Identifies key road signs and displays them on the instrument panel or (if equipped) Head-Up Display 
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA) – Will both alert the driver and gently pull a vehicle back from a potential unintentional lane change.
• Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) – Helps the vehicle stay centered in the lane.
• Intelligent High Beam – Recognizes when low or high beams are appropriate and switches accordingly
• All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management (DRCC) – Dynamic Radar Cruise Control – uses radar and camera technology to help the driver maintain a preset speed and following distance from the vehicle ahead with automatic speed attenuation when approaching a relatively tight curve.

How safe is the Lexus RX?

The 2023 RX earned a Top Safety Pick + award from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety,(IIHS), which is their highest rating. It earned top individual ratings for each crashworthiness, car avoidance & mitigation, and other safety tests. As of this writing, the NHTSA has not yet tested the 2023 Lexus RX. 

Time to See the New RX for Yourself

Lexus has taken all of their latest luxury and technological innovation and infused it in their best-selling model. To find out more, visit Lexus of Henderson, where we have plenty of RX models in stock, and you can see which RX is for you.