Our Rides: The Original Luxury Crossover

Lexus means luxury. They set new benchmarks throughout the 1990s with a new flagship sedan, followed by a new interpretation to the personal luxury coupe. The decade culminated with the arrival if an all-new type if luxury vehicle – the crossover.

There had been luxury crossovers and SUVs before the Lexus RX. The big difference is that the RX was built off of a car platform with a front-drive biased format.

Since then, the RX became the most popular model in the Lexus lineup. Some years, it became the best-selling vehicle in its class. In all, it has become the choice of those of us who need the space for passengers, cargo…and our fabulous lives.

This year marks the fifth generation of this breakthrough model. It is all-new from the ground up with a lot of marked changed from the previous four iterations of this popular model.

For one, the design includes a new twist on the Spindle Grille front clip featuring a blunter shape with a fadeaway motif. The rear end also received an update with a full-length LED lightning signature.

These new elements mesh with a roofline that came from the previous generation model. Somehow it all worked. Our tester wore 20-spoke 21-inch alloy wheels and is devoid of a lot of chrome trim to finish off the overall exterior look.

All four doors now have an electronic locking system. Not just from the outside, but also inside as well. The result is a heavier set of doors, that could be a problem for some folks.

Once you step inside you are treated to an all-new interior. In front of the driver is a fully digital instrument cluster and a head up display. Combined, it gives the right information for the driver without even looking down. The steering wheel now features haptic touch for several controls, including the radar cruise control system. The rest of the switches and controls follow Lexus convention.

Dominating the center stack is the new Lexus Interface infotainment system. This new 14-inch touch screen is now the hub for many connected and vehicle controls. Because of this new system, Lexus has eliminated both the trackpad and the Remote Touch mouse-like controller. Mark Levinson supplied 21 speakers of solid sound throughout the cabin.

The front seats are bolstered just fine, providing support for the seatback and cushion. There is plenty of space for four-to-five people inside, along with a solid cargo hold than the previous model. You start off with 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 49.2 cubic feet with it folded down.

This is the first RX that will not be powered by a V6. Instead, our 2023 RX tester has the newly standard turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It is a solid performer in town and on the highway. An 8-speed automatic transmission is connected to this to this turbocharged engine with all-wheel drive. We experienced a fuel economy average of 23.2 MPG, including a lot of highway driving between the Twin Cities and Chicago.

Even though we drove mostly on highway surfaces, we found the ride quality of the RX felt very solid. It absorbed the roadway with excellent dampening and a much quieter ride overall. Handling was solid with minimal lean and roll on extreme maneuvers.

The steering was very controlled and offered a tighter turning radius. On center field was OK, however it would need the Lane Keeping Assist to ensure that it stays within the lane. Overall, the turning radius was spot on. As for the brakes, there was a solid pedal feel that transmitted down to the wheels. The system yielded solid stops in normal, panic, and winter conditions.

The RX received an upgrade in its driver assistance package to the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. Features of this upgraded system include a more aggressive Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Lane Tracing Assist. We remarked how well the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control works when the lane curves. These features deepen the commitment to ensure you will get to your destination easily. 

For all of this, be ready to pay a bit more than before. Our 2023 RX 350 Luxury trim all-wheel drive level tester came with a sticker price of $63,145. RX customers can choose from six trim levels, including two F Sport models. There are three engines available, including a hybrid and a plug-in turbocharged hybrid. Pricing starts from $48,550.

Being an original, the Lexus RX shows its long-term resilience even in a volatile market. In turn, its success is proof that it continues to be a leader in its segment. Especially, among other luxury brands.

However, this new 2023 version of the Lexus RX shows that you could still push the envelope while deepening its market leadership. With new technology, a sharper design, and a new set of drivelines, the Lexus RX continues to be the choice for those of us who want our luxury and our space in one neat package.