Used 2023 Lexus RX

The Lexus RX is one of the all-time great luxury vehicles… but for different reasons than most. It’s comfortable and aspirational, to be sure, but the RX has carved out its spot in automotive history by adding a heavy helping of value to the mix. Indulgence and exclusivity will always have their appeal, but sales figures prove there are plenty of luxury-minded buyers who place a higher value on peace of mind and financial prudence.

Our first test of the 2023 Lexus RX took place in and around Santa Barbara, California, where the totally redesigned model made its world driving debut. We spent a full day driving it around town, on the highway, and over undulating backroads. We expected one of the quietest, most comfortable SUVs in its price range to grow even more so with its fifth-generation redesign, and weren’t at all surprised to find exactly that.

Of note, a move to turbocharged 4-cylinder power in place of the RX’s traditional V6 brings quicker acceleration, improved fuel economy, and a welcome sense of increased agility due to the new engine’s lighter weight. The new RX is easy to drive and a downright pleasant way to make your way in the world.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of midsize luxury SUVs, including this all-new Lexus RX.

Inside, the new RX is rich in materials but restrained in design relative to some of its more ornate European rivals. It’s as roomy as just about anything in the segment, with supportive seats that delivered all-day comfort in our time behind the wheel. We liked the placement and design of the cupholders and phone cubby up front.

The massive 14-inch high-definition touchscreen is outstanding, but even the standard 9.8-inch unit serves as a fine centerpiece. New steering wheel controls are clever and functional, but take some time to master. Overall, this is a comfortable, functional, attractive passenger cabin in which we’d gladly reserve a seat for the length of a lease or longer.

Traffic Jam Assist
Under the right conditions, the 2023 Lexus RX can steer, accelerate, and brake itself through stop-and-go traffic. Sit back and relax, but not too much.

Automated parallel parking
In addition to taking over most of the driving duties in tight traffic, the 2023 Lexus RX can just about parallel park itself. Using four cameras and 12 sensors, the RX can steer, brake, and shift itself into place.

Gorgeous color palette
In addition to black, white, and gray, the 2023 Lexus RX is available in a wide range of interesting colors including Caviar, Copper Crest, and Nori Green Pearl. Six available interior hues include Macadamia, Peppercorn, and Rioja Red.

21-speaker surround sound
The Mark Levinson audio systems offered across the Lexus line consistently rank among our favorites.

Use your phone as your key
You can lock, unlock, and start the 2023 Lexus RX with your phone. The car senses your phone just as it senses a key, so you don’t need to take it out of your pocket. You can even “send” a key to a friend.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Smartphone integration is even better when it happens automatically.

Typical Cargo Room

Lexus says the new RX offers 29.6 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats, which is right on par with what you’ll find in the back of small SUVs like the BMW X3 and Genesis GV70, for instance.

Famously Reliable

The Lexus brand is built on a foundation of reliability established in no small measure by the RX itself. And while this all-new version has yet to establish any track record, we’re not going out on a limb in predicting it will follow its predecessors as among the most trouble-free luxury SUVs on the road.

Strong Resale Value

Reliable cars make especially attractive used cars, which command higher prices in the used market, which return more money to the original buyers’ pockets. The Lexus RX is one of those vehicles.

Exceptional Dealership Experience

Ask any Lexus owner how they like their car, and odds are they’ll also mention the efficient, attentive, generous dealership service. It’s as likely to keep them in the Lexus family – or bring them back – as the vehicles themselves.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Every 2023 Lexus RX is covered by a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty, plus a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. This is typical coverage among luxury makes.

The 2023 Lexus RX lineup comprises three variants – with a plug-in hybrid version still to come — each defined by its own powertrain. Let’s have a look at the lineup:

2023 Lexus RX 350: Most Popular

Delivering an enviable balance of price and features, Lexus expects more than 7 in 10 RX buyers to choose the bread-and-butter RX 350 model. We wouldn’t blame a single one of them.

Starting price: $48,550
Turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine
Front- or all-wheel drive
275 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
317 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700-3,600 rpm
0-60 mph: 7.6 seconds (AWD: 7.2 seconds)
Fuel economy: 25 mpg (22 city, 29 highway) AWD: 24 mpg (21 city, 28 highway)

2023 Lexus RX 350h: 36 mpg

The RX hybrid can save you more than $800 and 16 trips to the pump every year. (Assumptions: 15,000 miles per year, $4.00 per premium gallon, filling after every 13 gallons.) And some would say it even drives a little better than the non-hybrid RX. We’d definitely consider it.

Starting price: $50,150
2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine + electric motor
All-wheel drive
246 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
233 lb-ft of torque @ 4,300-4,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 7.4 seconds
Fuel economy: 36 mpg (37 city, 34 highway)

2023 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD: 5.9 seconds

With a performance-oriented hybrid powertrain that produces 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, the sportiest, most powerful, longest-named RX of all time can sprint to 60 mph in an impressive 5.9 seconds. Added handling prowess and go-fast looks come along for the ride. (Not to be confused with the less potent RX 350 F Sport Handling, a version of the RX 350.)

Starting price: $62,750
Turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine + electric motor
All-wheel drive
366 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
406 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-3,000 rpm
0-60 mph: 5.9 seconds
Fuel economy: 27 mpg (27 city, 28 highway)

Final Word: One of a Kind

While there’s nothing else quite like the RX, buyers seeking exclusivity will need to shop elsewhere. Even more so than its popular predecessors, the totally redesigned 2023 Lexus RX is just too good in too many ways not to be a big seller.

Outstanding Safety Scores

The 2023 Lexus RX earns the coveted IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for its perfect crash test scores and the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 safety tech suite.