2022 Lexus RX gets redesign, PHEV and new tech

A 14.0in infotainment touchscreen is included as standard, with sat-nav and cloud services enabling “always-on” connectivity for live traffic, accident and road condition reports. There is also wireless smartphone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and tethered Android Auto.

Heated and ventilated seats are included as standard, while vegan synthetic leather has been chosen for the upholstery, steering wheel and gearshifter.

The RX 350h opens the new model range, powered by a 2.5-litre ‘self-charging’ hybrid powertrain. Lexus says performance is comparable with that of the current RX 450h, with its 242bhp and 239lb ft of torque getting it from 0-62mph in 8.0sec, while fuel consumption is rated at 42.2mpg on the WLTP cycle.

However, Lexus expects the new RX 450h+ to be the best-selling variant in the UK and mainland Europe.

The new plug-in hybrid is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, paired with a rear-mounted electric motor for full-time four-wheel drive.

It produces combined totals of 302bhp and 421lb ft for a 0-62mph time of 7.0sec, while an 18.1kWh lithium ion battery yields an electric-only range of 40 miles, putting it slightly ahead of the Land Rover Discovery Sport P300e (37 miles).

The RX 500h, positioned as the most dynamically focused model in the line-up, offers turbocharged hybrid power for the first time in a Lexus.

Lexus says the addition of a turbocharged powertrain was necessary because the desires of customers are constantly changing. 

Spiros Fotinos, boss of Lexus Europe, said: “The expectations from consumers are evolving for different reasons, either because they’ve been in an EV and they like the instant torque response, or because they expect to have a more efficient vehicle without the feeling that the driving experience is worse.  

“While we used to think 'more efficient is more sluggish' and so on, that’s not true any more. That trade-off is not there any more. Of course, regardless of the segment, in particular where customers are spending a lot of money and the expectations are there and maybe they have a second car that is an EV, you have to keep pushing that boundary forward in terms of the experience. 

“Of course, a pure BEV works in a different way, but in the same way the overall experience in terms of stability, delivery of torque, that expectation is there.”

The RX 500h tops the range with 366bhp and 475lb ft supplied by a 2.4-litre engine and a pair of electric motors giving it full-time four-wheel drive.

A rival for the BMW X5 xDrive45e, it can do 0-62mph in 5.9sec, and Lexus claims the Direct4 system gives it the ability to balance power and torque between both axles faster than any mechanical system, improving steering feel and handling stability at higher speeds.

The price of the new RX will start from about £60,000 and deliveries will begin in the first quarter of 2023.

Lexus says the appeal of the RX has never been greater, with hybrid variants of the model growing in importance in markets around the world. 

Q&A with Spiros Fotinos, head of Lexus Europe

What was the most important thing when developing this new RX? 

"I think the most important thing was reimagining the driving experience. You’re talking about a product that has been hugely successful for us and has carved out its own identity in terms of what it felt and drove like.

"I think this is probably the first time at least in a couple of generations where we kind of went from scratch. This is the philosophy where you start from a blank sheet of paper. Even when the car already exists, you started thinking… what should the car drive Iike? And then you start building on that, the platform and the geometry of the vehicle and adding the powertrains and other elements before you even talk about electronics and assistance features. The raw vehicle - what does it feel like? I think it’s the first time where the car has been completely reimagined." 

How important is the RX to Lexus and did any of the development inform the development of upcoming EVs? 

"It’s hugely important. RX is an iconic nameplate for the brand and it's helped shape the brand over the years if you look at our history, whether that’s creating a new segment or bringing hybrid to the luxury consumer. It has a heavy burden that it needs to do for the brand. I think what we’ve done for this generation is that it’s doing that: it’s reshaping the brand in terms of adding a more engaging driving experience. 

"When we think of electrification, we don’t just think of BEV. We think of plug-in hybrid, hybrid and BEV. When you look at our experience with electrification and think of the simple fact that battery, electric motor, power control unit - those are all on a hybrid. If you're pushing those technologies and imagining those technologies in different ways, there’s no reason why the learnings for that aren’t transferable whether it’s missing an ICE or has an ICE. It all supports the development of our border electrification ambition." 

Is there a concern sales of the RZ will cannibalise sales from the RX? 

"Our perspective is that we don’t have a single powertrain approach. Because we can have a broader offering, it’s exactly why we didn’t look at any segment in isolation. We looked at the dynamics of the segments in between NX, RZ and RX and we looked at the consumer expectations and how that’s evolving in the European landscape. 

"What’s interesting is that there’s a group of consumers who start with the powertrain choice. Once a consumer starts with that, they’re locked in. A lot of consumers have made that choice before they even arrive at the dealership. 

"Given that, the fact that we do have RZ, which is completely focused on that EV driving experience and the advantages of a BEV, and RX, which is true to what an RX should be without us creating some sort of Frankenstein solution. We can offer consumers exactly what they want, and if they have an RX and they’re downsizing, they can do that without compromising on the driving experience and NX does that."