Lexus RX L: new seven-seat SUV prices unveiled

A larger, seven-seat version of the Lexus RX named RX L has gone on sale in the UK, priced from £50,995. 

The seven-seat version of Lexus' BMW X5 rival is currently only available with a hybrid powertrain, badged RX 450hL, and is available in SE, Luxury and Premier specs, priced £50,995, £54,095 and £61,095 respectively. The entry-level seven-seater is priced £2305 above the equivalent five-seat RX, and £9055 more than the entry-level RX 200t S. 

Despite being a full £10,100 more expensive than the SE version, top-spec Premier trim is expected to take 48% of sales, with 50% of customers expected to opt for mid-range Luxury and just 2% heading for SE spec cars. The seven-seat RX L is expected to take a 30% slice of the 2500 projected RX sales in the first year after the RX L's launch. The RX currently makes up 18.5% of Lexus' UK sales, shifting 2351 units across last year, with total Lexus UK sales at 12,671.

The RX L was first revealed at the LA motor show but is on sale now, with first deliveries due to arrive in Britain in the coming weeks. To free up space for the extra passengers, the model is 110mm longer than the regular RX, so its tailgate sits at a steeper angle to meet the roof.

The rearmost passengers have access to the car’s tri-zone climate control and get two cupholders. When the seats are not in use, they fold down flat into the boot floor.

Two powertrains are available worldwide in the RX L. The first is a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 290bhp and 263lb ft of torque, while the second mates the same block to two electric motors, giving a system output of 308bhp. The electrified set-up will be familiar to British RX owners, as it’s offered here in the RX 450h.

Lexus LX 570 two-row

Alongside the RX L, Lexus has also launched a new version of its larger LX 570 two-row SUV. This US model, a rival to the Toyota Land Cruiser, has ditched the third seat row of the regular variant to become a five-seater.