The luxury crossover gets a makeover

MANILA, Philippines - Lexus has retooled the RX350, its hot-selling luxury sport ute, and the new iteration has landed in Manila. As the marque that virtually created the segment back in 1998, Lexus rightfully believes it knows the market well enough to come out with what works. The class, says Lexus, combines the “flexibility, practicality, and durability of a sports utility vehicle with the handling, performance, refinement, and ride of a luxury sedan.” Locally, the RX350 has been the top-selling Lexus—no surprise there, given our well-known fondness for SUVs.

The smaller, dare I say “entry-level” RX series was the first ever SUV to be equipped with a full hybrid powertrain in 2005, and Lexus has been consistently known to banner its hybrid vehicles since. Rightfully so, too, since its sibling Toyota Prius is legendary in that segment.

This emphasizes the fact that RX remains a key model in the Lexus lineup, so when it comes out with refreshes, you can bet it’s more than just bells and whistles. The mid-cycle changes to the current (3rd-gen) model is reckoned by Car & Driver to be consistent with the “plan to develop a visual brand identity for (the) entire product line.”

Unifying and strengthening the Lexus family identity starts with the looks. First seen on the CT200h and GS models, the RX350 now wields the familiar “inverted trapezoid upper grille and slanted lower grille.” Lexus has its “spindle” shape squeeze the horizontal bars, giving a dynamic, more aggressive appearance to the front fascia. A new, clear-lens headlamp cluster design combines halogen and high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, and features LED daytime running lamps below them. 

The rear light assembly also gets the treatment. Fitted with clear lenses, they have been recast for “stronger, more sweeping horizontal emphasis, adding elegance to the rear of the vehicle.”

Within, the RX350 brandishes new color schemes, finishes, instrument binnacle, and even steering wheel. Lexus also says that “seat stitching has been enhanced by the use of thicker thread and more prominent colors, and the dashboard design enlivened through the addition of a matte silver insert above the glove box.”

Even the center console box wasn’t spared from the rehash. Its lid now opens 95 degrees for better access. The USB port and accessory socket have been relocated to near the top of the box interior. This makes it easier for you to plug in your gadgets that will throb through the nine-speaker Lexus premium sound system.

Initially, two variants of the RX350 will be available: the base RX350 (priced at P3.570 million) and the RX350 Premier (P3.898 million).

The price difference between the variants is accounted for by a bevy of additional niceties: a tilt-and-slide moonroof; 19-inch aluminum wheels; memory functions for the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, and side mirrors; a roof rail, perforated leather seats, power rear door, and a backup camera display integrated in the rearview mirror.

Under the hood, the SUV boasts a 3.456-liter DOHC V6, good for 274 hp and 346 Nm of torque. It is also Euro 5-compliant, so the carbon footprint will remain small. Mated to this is a six-speed, sequential-shift automatic tranny with ECT.

Said Lexus president Danny Isla during the RX350’s launch last week at the Lexus showroom in Bonifacio Global City: “I personally find that the RX is not only a crossover in terms of vehicle class but, rather, a crossover that crosses over into all aspects of your day-to-day routine. From the boardroom to the greens, from meetings to a round of golf, the RX integrates itself within your lifestyle and is a practical partner in your daily life.”

Isla also promised that Lexus will bring in the RX450h to reassert its reputation and commitment as “the only manufacturer in the world with a full-hybrid lineup.”