Driving Every 2023 Lexus RX Back to Back — Is the All-Time Best-Selling Lexus Better Than Ever?

By Michael S. Palmer - September 9, 2022

The all-new 2023 Lexus RX delivers a quiet, comfortable, refined experience. But snag an F Sport model for some sports-car fun factor.

Before we dive into our 2023 Lexus RX coverage, four quick things. First, for a full breakdown of all the engines and colors and models, check out our Hands-On First Look RX coverage HERE! Second, we cover the RX 500h down below in depth, but for a little deeper dive into its F Sport Performance bonafides, click HERE!

Third, full disclosure, Lexus provided us with a hotel room and accommodations to attend the official US press launch for the 2023 RX. And, lastly, since all of our testing and impressions were conducted on pre-production vehicles over the course of one day, please consider this more of a first impressions piece.

We plan to do more in-depth testing with full-production vehicles later this year and next.

What do YOU think about the 2023 Lexus RX?
Let us know HERE in our forums!

2023 Lexus RX Powertrains & Models

Here in the United States, the all-new 2023 RX will debut with three initial powertrains — RX 350, RX 350h, RX 500h — with an RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid following at a time still to be determined. Expect Europe and other regions to see the RX 450h+ earlier, so publications based on other continents might offer some more information.

RX 350 — available in front-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive, and F Sport Handling (also AWD) configurations.

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)
4,155 lbs (FWD); 4,310 lbs (AWD)

RX 350h — the hybrid model available in all-wheel-drive only, with the option of selecting a rear e-axle to help to aid stability control (not performance).

2.5L 4-cylinder + Hybrid
CVT transmission
246 hp
233 lb.-ft. of torque
7.4s 0-60
33 mpg (estimated, combined)
4,455 lbs

RX 450h+ — a plug-in hybrid debuting in international markets before coming to the US (if possible, we’ll update this section after the embargo lifts for European press). For reference, here are some NX450h+ 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)

RX 500h F Sport Performance – another hybrid with a rear e-axle, but this one uses the 2.4L turbo-4 from the 350 and the DIRECT4 e-axle is engineered for performance, with the ability to split torque 50-50 front-to-rear. The RX 500h is ONLY available as an F Sport Performance.

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)
4,750 lbs

Exterior Design

With a rising sun cutting through the seaside fog, my driving partner — Paul Strauss of The Awesomer — and I stepped into a parking lot teaming with 2023 RXs In person, casual observers would be forgiven for not seeing the major changes. Because, although it’s on a new platform with a longer wheelbase, overall vehicle length remains the same. But Lexus aficionados will see a variety of evolutions, large and small.

There’s a new grille, of course, that appears to be half RX, half RZ. Lexus admits the so-called dolphin nose is controversial. But coupled with familiar body lines and floating rear pillars, it all seems perfectly RX with a hint of extra modernity. In addition to the standard grille, Lexus also offers a blacked-out version for its F Sport Handling and F Sport Performance models. Black wheels and other trim variances follow with those models, looking suitably aggressive.

Around back, Lexus continues to update its lineup with swooping wraparound LED taillights and the new (full word version of the) Lexus logo. And, unlike many Lexus and Toyota vehicles, there’s not too much cheap plastic adorning wheel arches and other typical trim locations. Three cheers for painted finishes.

Watching all varieties of RX models swarm a Southern California wine country, the RX looks both new and as it was, bringing forth the image of luxury-minded customers on vacation. Or going about a variety of busy days in comfort. Either way, the RX seems at home in these settings.

Interior Form & Function

Inside, the 2023 RX also mixes new and familiar. Most familiar may be the shape and quality of the two available seat designs (standard and F Sport) and various material combinations. Standard and Premium models include NuLuxe (faux) leather seating, while Premium+ and Luxury step up to leather-trimmed and full leather. Both F Sport models add a touch of suede to the mix for a more sporty feeling.

From a design perspective, the new RX features sweeping lines that begin on the dash and flow around and onto both front doors. Several plastic accent trims decorate the dash and center console, although real bamboo appears to be an option on Luxury models. The overall effect is luxurious and tranquil, with a touch of LC and LS DNA apparent in the layout and textures. Although one, generally speaking, won’t mistake the RX’s interior finishings for a Lexus flagship.

In the Technology department, the RX joins the NX and LX as the latest to include the new Lexus Infotainment system. The base screen is a 9-inches, although most of our test vehicles featured the larger 14-inch screen. I covered this system in-depth in our NX review HERE. But this quick version is this — overall, it’s a nice system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. But, the voice-activated Lexus Assistant and scrolling through dozens of radio stations can be a bit buggy. In our testing, the Mark Levinson system sounded a little bright in the highest frequencies and could use a little more low-end grunt. But overall it sounded very good.

Also, since we were reviewing pre-production models, we noticed some missing graphics and on-screen bugs, but we expect those to be sorted out when actual customers drive their vehicles.

Overall, the new RX interior may be its finest yet regardless of trim level. There’s even a new option for heated and ventilated rear seats, which is something we’ve enjoyed in the LS 500. The only missing feature, as far as I can see, is a physical button to select different driving modes; at present, it requires entering a digital interface, which can be cumbersome on the road.

Driving the Standard Models

Of the various trim levels and engine options, we drove three different RX models with the standard suspension. (IE, non-F Sport suspensions). That being said, when one opts for Luxury models, it’s still possible to get an adaptive suspension. It just doesn’t feel as sporty, naturally.

RX 350 (FWD). With a 275hp 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder engine under the hood in a front-wheel-drive configuration, I wasn’t expecting to like the base RX 350. But with its Premium grade, which included heated and ventilated front seats and the premium Mark Levinson sound system with the larger 14″ Lexus Interface, it was a lovely experience. The lightest vehicle we tested, the 317 ft.-lbs. of torque pushed us forward with ease. And any sense of torque-steering — the steering wheel pulling to one side during acceleration — was almost invisible. Ride quality was compliant and plush, but not bouncy. Still, it’s leagues better than old-school Lexus RX models.

RX 350h (AWD). Ahhhh, the fuel-sipper of the bunch. Decked out in full luxury trim with heated and ventilate real seats, the RX 350h feels the most like an old-school RX. Despite having an adaptive, adjustable suspension, the ride experience is very soft and a touch loose. Acceleration was, unsurprisingly slow, given that this hybrid tops out at 246 hp. Braking was also underwhelming (although this may have be assisted by farm equipment dumping dirt on the roads we were driving). But by trading away your turbo and torque, one is rewarded with 33mpg (combined, estimated).

RX 450h+ (AWD). We only had a very limited time with a European-spec 450h+. Lexus plans to launch this model in other markets ahead of its US debut so we don’t know the specifics in terms of power and range. That said, we expect it to be similar (if not identical) to the NX450h+ powertrain with a slightly reduced EV-only range thanks to the RX’s added weight. From a driving perspective, it accelerated and handled fairly well — halfway between the 350 and 500h. And EV-only mode was smooth and powerful enough for running errands in the city or around town.

Putting the Fun into F Sport

Yeah, yeah, we all know the F in F Sport stands for Fuji. But after driving a variety of these vehicles on and off track, I’d argue it also stands for Fun.

RX 350 F Sport Handling (AWD). Although it feels heavier than the front-wheel-drive RX 350, the F Sport Handling package is a revelatory upgrade. We don’t yet know pricing, but based on other models, expect this package to cost about the same as the 350h hyrbid model. Essentially, the choice is ECONOMY or FUN. And being a foolish auto journalist, this is the one to get if you don’t snag a 500h.

Visually speaking, it’s more aggressive. If you fit in them, the bolstered heated-and-ventilated F Sport front bucket seats are comfortable and supportive. And Adaptive Variable Suspension — which is a simple way to describe computer-assisted shock absorbers that not only react to road conditions on the fly, but ones that are also adjustable. Meaning, that you can drive around in Normal (soft) or Sport (tight) modes. Even in Normal mode, this RX is a superior machine in terms of comfort and performance over the base suspension despite being less soft overall. And in Sport mode, it almost feels like an IS sedan despite weighing about 300 pounds more than an IS 500.

The RX 350 F Sport Handling is probably going to be the best all-around compromise between cost, performance, and economy, even if other models are technically sportier, cheaper, or more fuel efficient.

RX 500h F Sport Performance. Put a dozen auto journalists into any room and show them a bunch of cars and we can’t help but gravitate to The Fast One. What makes the RX 500h F Sport Performance so fun is that it takes everything great about the 350 F Sport Handling (these names are too long) and adds about 90 extra horsepower and ft.-lbs. of torque. And when you’re pushing around upwards of 4,750 pounds (before people and cargo), you need it all.

And maybe it’s as simple as a great chassis, excellent adaptive suspension, and extra power, but the 500h is incredibly fun to drive. Tight in the corners and well balanced. Powerful, but not too much so. This is a vehicle you could drive at its max capability without the sense that it’s going to murder you and throw you off the road. Speaking of safety, the brakes are excellent (although at this weight, I don’t think I’d take this to a track environment).

The only real downside is that it’s a little slower off the line and to 60mph versus the original F Sport Performance Lexus, but for the most part, and I mean this as sincerely as possible…

Lexus managed to imbue the spirit of a sports car into a mid-size crossover SUV. And it’s truly a joy to drive.

Pricing & Availability

Unfortunately, at this time, 2023 Lexus RX pricing remains unavailable. Production should begin next month (October 2022) with dealer arrivals expected later this year. So I expect we’ll hear more very soon. Stay tuned for more.

2023 Lexus RX First Impressions

It’s not easy to condense a new vehicle like an RX into one positive or negative review because the RX isn’t just one vehicle. It’s a couple-dozen potential combinations of drivetrains, trim levels, and packages. I was fortunate to drive five variants and walk around a few more. But still, I wouldn’t call this full review or anything resembling the ownership experience.

Still, as a first impression, I dig where the RX is going.

The grille is controversial but grew on me. There’s an interior level for a variety of budgets, from base infotainment and faux leather to loaded models with gen-u-ine cowskin aplenty. Is it as fancy as something from Germany? Not quite, although the Luxury trim is right up there. But there are more expensive Lexus models for that too. The RX has always been near-luxury (and is now mid-luxury) and about the quiet, comfortable ride.

Today, while retaining that sense of quiet comfort from the past, the 2023 RX is more powerful, more capable, more luxurious, and boasts better technology than any previous generation. Should you run in and trade in a 2021 or 2022 RX right away? Probably not. But if you have an aging RX, I’d give the 2023+ models a try. Or if you’re considering buying a Lexus for the first time, the RX is an overall lovely experience. Practical. Quiet. And comfortable. Perfect for families of four (or small).

All things one would expect from a Lexus RX. The surprise, then, is how Lexus made them all fun in the process. Gone is the wobbly mush of a sloppy ride, and in its place something more European, something more akin to what Lexus does with their sports cars and sedans. Which means you don’t have to trade fun for luxury and comfort.

The new RX does it all.

Photos (mostly, but not all) courtesy of Lexus USA