The facelifted Lexus RX large crossover SUV has been spied testing, but while exterior changes appear scant there could be a larger overhaul inside.
Spy photographs show what appear to be the flagship RX500h F Sport Performance with no changes made to its rear.
Up front, the headlights are undisguised but the bumper and grille have been camouflaged, suggesting some changes have been made here.
It’s possible this is an early prototype and further changes could be made to the vehicle’s exterior. It’s unclear when the updated RX will be revealed, though an unveiling is possible this year.
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While the spy photographs don’t give us a clear look at the interior, the updated RX cabin is expected to take its design cues from recently revealed Lexus models like the new-generation ES sedan and TZ electric SUV.
That could see the RX move to a more symmetrical dashboard layout, with traditional buttons replaced by touch-capacitive switchgear.
Both the ES and TZ feature an angular digital instrument cluster within a recess in the dashboard, plus a free-standing infotainment touchscreen. A row of touch-capacitive switches sits below the latter, albeit with a physical volume dial.
It’s unclear if there’ll be any mechanical changes to the RX, which shares its TNGA-K underpinnings with the likes of the Toyota Kluger.
It’s offered in Australia with a choice of 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid (RX350h), turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder (RX350), 2.5-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (RX450h+) and 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid (RX500h) powertrains.
All are offered exclusively with all-wheel drive apart from the RX350h, which is also available with front-wheel drive. There’s no electric option, with the similarly sized RZ taking on that role in the Lexus lineup.
The current, fifth-generation RX entered production in 2022, and arrived here in 2023.
The stretched, seven-seat RX L wasn’t replaced by a similar version of the Mk5 RX, with the larger TX filling that role in Lexus’ lineup. However, as this full-size crossover SUV isn’t built in right-hand drive, it has never been introduced in Australia.
Lexus typically redesigns its RX every five to seven years, so it’s about time for a mid-life update. It’s unclear if Lexus will stretch out the current RX’s lifecycle, something many manufacturers are doing to keep development costs down as they invest in new technology and electric vehicles (EVs).
The RX was Lexus Australia’s second-best seller last year, when 2126 examples reached customers. The smaller NX mid-size SUV outsold it by almost three-to-one, however, with 6024 deliveries.
