Redesigned five-seat crossover SUV rides on a new platform and comes with four powertrain options, including a base RX 350 2.4-liter turbo-4 a hybrid RX 350h with a 36-mpg combined estimate a RX 500h F Sport Performance hybrid model with a 366-hp turbo-4 hybrid system and a plug-in hybrid RX 450h+. The V-8 and V-6 options may be on the way out, but equally powerful and more efficient models are on the way in, including the brand's first full battery electric vehicle, the Lexus RZ, arriving later this year. It's a promising direction for a brand that shed its conservative if not complacent spot atop the premium class with edgier styling unmatched by its outdated tech and powertrains, until now. Most updated Lexus vehicles benefit from the new system and its larger touchscreens, intuitive interface, and superlative voice commands. The bellwethers not only offer electrified powertrains but a much improved infotainment system designed in North America for North American customers. For the 2023 model year, Lexus redesigned its bestseller, the Lexus RX mid-size crossover SUV, that followed the 2022 redesign of its second bestseller, the Lexus NX compact crossover. Sales slipped from last year, but Toyota's luxury brand is in the midst of a product overhaul that includes more hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants than ever before. Both the TX 350 and TX 500h should hit showrooms this fall, while the 550h+ will come later, potentially next year as a 2025 model. The TX is the first new Lexus vehicle to be assembled at the company's Indiana plant. Also standard is Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which includes advanced driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and blind spot monitoring, among others. A 12.3-inch cluster display is available the standard screen's dimensions were not available at the time of publication. It's standard here, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. If you're familiar with the latest from Toyota and Lexus, you'll recognize the company's new 14-inch infotainment system. A one-touch button on the second row seats flips them for easy access to the rear. That jumps to 57.4 cubes with the third row folded flat and 97 cubes with all of the rear seats stowed. Lexus claims there's 20.1 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row - besting both the Audi and Mercedes-Benz we mentioned previously. A modular second-row console is also available on models equipped with captain's chairs a second-row bench is standard. The front center console features a dual lid (split front-to-back) that allows either the driver or passenger to open only their side independently if desired. The interior is spacious and packed with conveniences. It's the only variant available with adaptive suspension and as an added bonus, the six-speed auto in that combination should be a lot more palatable than the 550h+'s CVT. The enthusiasts should opt for the 2.4-liter hybrid F-Sport Performance model if they prioritize dynamics. Lexus TX Chief Engineer Naohisa Hatta told Autoblog that refinement, cabin noise and linear power delivery prompted them to put the V6 in the TX's most luxurious trim. So, why is the honkin' V6 PHEV not getting the F-Sport treatment? In a word: luxury. This is also the only TX with an adaptive suspension setup, which is something we've come to expect from F Sport Performance models. Lexus engineers didn't have the maximum rear steering angle figure on hand, but noted that the TX utilizes it far more liberally than the RX to help compensate for its extra length and wheelbase. The standard AWD system is augmented with Toyota's DRS rear-steer system, which turns the rear wheels to either match or oppose the direction of the front wheels to improve stability at speed or maneuverability in tight spots, respectively. The downside is that it's the only powertrain here to incorporate a CVT, but this is clearly not your momma's Highlander.īuilding on that theme, Lexus is offering the 2.4-liter hybrid powertrain exclusively as an F Sport Performance model that borrows powertrain and chassis tech from the RX. Check this: 406 horsepower (and an unspecified torque figure) with 30 mpg combined and 33 miles of EV-only range. Stepping up to the standard hybrid bumps those numbers to 366 hp and 409 lb-ft, good for 24 mpg. The turbocharged four-pot can be had with either FWD or AWD (both hybrids come with standard all-wheel drive) and produces 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque (better than Highlander because it was rated on premium fuel) with a projected EPA combined rating of 21 miles per gallon.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |