2023 Lexus RX Hands-on First Look PREVIEW (Walking Around Every Model & Trim!)

By Michael S. Palmer - August 26, 2022

We just spent a full day with the 2023 Lexus RX, studying as many options, powertrains, and trim levels as possible. Sadly, we can’t share all of our thoughts just yet. But here’s everything we can —

Earlier this week, I joined Lexus USA and dozens of automotive journalists at the official 2023 Lexus RX media launch event. Heald at a winery north of Santa Barabara, California, Lexus provided us with a chance to get hands-on with, and drive, several RX models and trim levels. (They also provided meals and accommodations.) As I write this, and as you’ll see in the video below, driving impressions and other review coverage remains under embargo until September 9 (2022).

In other words, I can give you a guided tour, or PREVIEW, of the new RX and re-share previously announced specifications. But please do save the date to come back for a full review.

2023 RX Models, Trim Levels, & Colors

Lexus plans to launch the 2023 RX here in the U.S. with three initial models — the gas-only RX 350 as well as the hybrid RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance. A plug-in hybrid RX 450h+ will follow, although exact timing remains unclear. Pricing details also remain a mystery, although I hope that will be settled soon.

As previously announced, Lexus plans to offer six trim levels across the range —

Standard
Premium
Premium+
Luxury
F SPORT Handling (RX 350 AWD only)
F SPORT Performance (RX 500h only)

10 exterior color options will also be available:

Ultra White
Eminent White Pearl
Nebula Gray Pearl
Iridium
Caviar
Matador Red Mica
Copper Crest
Nori Green Pearl
Nightfall Mica
Grecian Water

Interior colors include:

Macadamia
Black
Birch
Palomino
Peppercorn
Rioja Red

The interior also features accent coloring, which Lexus calls “ornamentation styles.” These include:

Black Cascade
Ash Bamboo
Black Open Pore
Dark Graphite Aluminum

Much like the 2022 Lexus NX, the new RX will be built on the new GA-K platform. Lexus plans to begin production later this fall, building RX models in both Japan and Canada. Its 112.2-inch wheelbase is almost three inches longer than the outgoing RX, but the overall vehicle length remains unchanged. 19-inch wheels are standard across every model, but the optional 21-inchers were more common at this press launch. (Manufacturers like to show off higher-spec vehicles.)

During the course of the event, I personally drove five distinct RX vehicles and toured a few more to check out variations in color, packages, and materials. Here’s everything I saw (with absolutely no opinions whatsoever):

RX 350 (FWD, AWD)

Preliminary specifications from Pressroom.Lexus.com.

2.4L turbo 4-cylinder
8-speed automatic transmission
275 hp
317 lb.-ft. of torque
7.5s 0-60 (FWD); 7.2s 0-60 (AWD)
24 mpg (estimated, combined)

My driving partner, Paul Strauss from TheAwesomer.com, and I tested two RX 350 variants on the road. More on that later, but they, along with one Standard model Lexus brought along gave some great insight into the model’s many possible variations. From entry-level affordable to sport-tuned luxury, there’s will be a lot of ways to spec a 350. It’s also the only model that will feature two distinct grilles — the standard grille (below right), which flows with a unique floating-diamond design. And the classically aggressive blacked out F Sport grill (below left).

Interior materials vary from NuLuxe faux leather to actual leather and hard plastics and wood trim and everything in between.

It was especially nice to see a low-option Standard model, even if it boasted an optional moonroof and roof rack. Still, it was the only one to show off the smaller Lexus Infotainment screen and 19-inch wheels. Base models — or any RX lacking a Head-Up Display — also feature tactile steering wheel buttons rather than the newer customizable touchpads. (We previously reviewed the steering wheel and Lexus Interface HERE on the 2022 NX).

RX 350 F Sport Handling (AWD Only)

The RX 350 F Sport Handling trim features the same powertrain as the RX 350 all-wheel drive variant above, but then adds several visual and suspension upgrades.

On the outside, the RX 350 F Sport Handling adds the aforementioned black grille along with side-view mirror caps, chrome trim around the windows and bumpers, gloss black wheels, and grey plastic side-and-rear-moldings. Inside, it’s very classically F Sport, with heated and ventilated well-bolstered, sporty seats. There’s also an F Sport branded steering wheel and a few other logos. Lastly, since this is a Handling package, Lexus includes an adjustable adaptive suspension that offers two distinct ride qualities (Normal & Sport). The adjustable suspension, a feature most commonly found in high-end sports cars, is also available on non-F Sport luxury trims.

RX 350h (AWD Only)

Preliminary specifications from Pressroom.Lexus.com.

2.5L 4-cylinder + Hybrid
CVT transmission
246 hp
233 lb.-ft. of torque
7.4s 0-60
33 mpg (estimated, combined)

We spent some time with a Nori Green Pearl RX 350h outfitted with the light brown Palomino interior, giving the whole thing a very British aesthetic. And, yes, the paint very much does look like a sheet of Nori (seaweed). This luxury model also featured a large twin-panel moonroof, real leather, heated-and-ventilated rear seats, and adaptive suspension.

One interesting thing to note here is that, unlike the all-wheel drive RX 350, neither hybrid uses a driveshaft to power the rear wheels. Instead, Lexus utilized electronic axles — ie, electric motors where a differential would go — which is also similar to how their full battery-electric vehicles will also operate in the future.

RX 450h+ (Euro Spec, AWD Only)

No specifications are available at this time, but here are a few NX 450h+ specs:

2.5L 4-cylinder + Hybrid
18 kWh battery
37 EV-only miles
CVT transmission
306 hp
6.0s 0-60 (but keep in mind that the NX will likely be LIGHTER than the RX)
36 mpg (gas-only); 84 mpg-e (gas + electric)

With international journalists inbound next week, Lexus also offered a chance to check out a European-spec RX 450h+, shown above in Eminent White Pearl. Although we know very little about this one (despite a few educated guesses), the 450h+ also featured the optional heated-and-ventilated rear seating.

RX 500h F Sport Performance (AWD Only)

Preliminary specifications from Pressroom.Lexus.com.

2.4L turbo 4-cylinder + Hybrid
6-speed automatic transmission
367 hp
406 lb.-ft. of torque
DIRECT4 rear axle
5.9s 0-60
26 mpg (estimated, combined)

Available with only Black or Rioja Red interiors, Lexus trotted out several 500h F Sport Performance models in Copper Crest, Ultra White, and Caviar (a metallic black). Only available as an F Sport Performance, the 500h features matte black wheels, blacked-out window and bumper trim, and body-colored side and rear moldings. It shares the same black grille as the 350 F Sport Handling, but the 500h’s F Sport seats add suede inserts. On the outside, Lexus outfitted the 21-inch 500h with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV summer performance tires.

I can’t wait to talk about this one more in the full review, and how it compares to the original F Sport Performance Lexus, the IS 500.

First Impressions

Just kidding, my lips are sealed. But let’s hear from you. What do you think about the overall looks and design? Lexus admits the new nose/grille is controversial, although to me it looks like a design child born from the old grille and the forthcoming battery-electric RZ. But back to you… is there a particular model or feature you’re most interested in? Have you ever owned an RX before…?