Lexus · 1997–present

Lexus RX

The Lexus RX (Japanese: レクサス・RX, Hepburn: Rekusasu RX) is a luxury crossover SUV sold since 1998 by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota. Originally released in its home market of Japan in late 1997 as the Toyota Harrier, export sales began in March 1998 as the Lexus RX. Considered as the first luxury crossover SUV by many sources, five generations of the RX have been produced to date, the first being compact in size, and the latter classified as mid-size. Both front- and four-wheel drive configurations have been used on the RX series, and several gasoline powertrain options, including V6 engines and hybrid systems, have been offered. In the Lexus model lineup, the RX sits below the larger Lexus LX (marketed as the Toyota Land Cruiser body-on-frame SUVs outside North America, respectively), and below the body-on-frame, but also mid-size GX SUV. The name "RX" stands for "Radiant Crossover". It has also been labelled as "Recreational Cross Country" in some markets. The RX's current Toyota counterpart is the Highlander/Kluger; past counterparts included the Harrier and Venza. The first-generation RX 300, fitted with a 3.0-liter V6 engine, began sales in 1998. The Japanese market Harrier released in 1997 also offered a 2.2-liter inline-four, later uprated to 2.4 liters. The second-generation RX 300 (3.0-liter V6) and RX 330 (3.3-liter V6) models went on sale in 2003, with both variants supplanted by the more powerful RX 350 (3.5-liter V6) in 2006. Like the previous series, a 2.4-liter inline-four engine was sold alongside the 3.0-liter V6 in the Japanese market Harrier. In 2005, a hybridized gasoline-electric version of the 3.3-liter second-generation model was made available as the RX 400h in export markets and as the Harrier Hybrid in Japan. For the third generation released in 2009, both RX 350 (3.5-liter V6) and RX 450h (3.5-liter V6 hybrid) models were initially offered, with an entry-level RX 270 (2.7-liter inline-four) offered by Lexus in some Asian markets, including in Japan, since 2010. Since the release of the third generation, Japanese sales have occurred under the RX name as opposed to Harrier as had been the case previously. In the fourth generation, a turbocharged (2.0-liter inline-four) RX 200t/300 model was introduced to replace the previous 2.7-liter unit. The RX has been assembled at Toyota Motor Kyushu since launch. The RX and RX Hybrid were the first Lexus models to be built outside Japan, with North American market versions produced at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada plant in Cambridge, Ontario beginning 2003 (RX) and expanded in 2014 (RX Hybrid). Hybrid transaxles are built at the Kokura plant in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka since 2009.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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First generation (XU10; 1998)

=== 1998–2000 === The idea concept behind the RX—a crossover between a luxury sedan and SUV—started in 1993 when it was hypothesized by TMS (Toyota Motor Sales) and Toyota Motor executives during a luncheon in Nagoya. By 1994, that vehicle was officially proposed by TMS executives at product planning meeting in Toyota City, Japan and put into development. In December 1995, the final design directed under designer Makoto Oshima was approved for production, and prototypes later went into testing in 1996. In Japan, the company was selling the Toyota Caldina which offered AWD capability and a spacious interior. Prior to the RX public debut, a concept sport utility vehicle, the SLV, previewed the model at the Chicago Auto Show on 9 February 1997. The SLV name stood for Sport Luxury Vehicle. The production-ready concept combined the characteristics of an SUV, wagon, and sedan, and featured high-ground clearance and an elevated seating position. The concept's overall design intent was to be commonly used for suburban driving. At the debut of the concept vehicle, it was reported that the crossover was to be based on the ES 300 sedan, and would go into production with an entry-level price of over US$30,000. The RX was built on a unibody chassis. Its exterior design was not typical of existing four-door vehicles at its introduction. Among design features, the vehicle featured front triangular quarter-windows, door-mounted side mirrors, a rear liftgate with top-mounted spoiler, and translucent front and rear light covers with round lenses. The exterior color scheme was two-tone, with the bumper and lower body-side cladding a grey color. The RX 300 possessed a drag coefficient of Cd=0.36. The first-generation Lexus RX was built in Kyushu, Japan. The V6-powered model was available

Second generation (XU30; 2003)

=== 2003–2006 === In 1999, development began on the XU30 platform under chief engineer Yukihiro Okane. Design work was started under Makoto Oshima and would continue into 2000 when a concept design by Hiroshi Sukuki was approved. By early 2001, the final production design was green-lighted by the executive board, with the first prototypes being tested in 2002. Design patents were filed on 1 April 2002 under No. 794 at the Japanese Patent Office and on 21 April 2003 at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The XU30 was previewed in January 2003 at the North American International Auto Show. Featuring a sleeker body style than its predecessor, the XU30 claimed to have a drag coefficient of Cd=0.35 and new LED tailamps. From the inside, the RX 330 interior featured genuine Golden Bird's Eye Maple or Walnut wood trim, a sliding multi-level center storage console, dual-zone climate control, and power tilt/telescopic steering column. Available options included a 210-watt, 11-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system, DVD-based navigation system with backup camera, rear seat DVD player with wireless headphones, panoramic three panel moonroof, and heated seats. All RX models came standard with eight airbags, including dual front airbags, front row side torso airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver's knee airbag; Vehicle Stability Control (VDIM on RX 400h) and a tire-pressure monitoring system were standard. An Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) with HID headlamps and a backup camera (w/navigation system) were optional. The Lexus RX received a "Good" overall rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal crash test. U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test results in 2004 rated the RX 330 the maximum five stars in the Fron

Third generation (AL10; 2008)

=== 2008–2012 === Development of the third-generation RX began in 2004. Chief engineer Takayuki Katsuda headed development, with design being conducted from 2005. In late 2006, design work by Masanari Sakae was chosen, with the final designs that were presented as 1:1 scale models being green-lighted for production in the first half of 2007. On 9 October 2007, design patents were filed at the Japanese Patent Office (7 April 2008 in the U.S.) for both a conceptual variant and two production variants (RX and RX 450h). The first North American pre-production prototypes were sent to Cambridge, Canada in early 2008 for testing prior to the first RX 350 rolling off the production line on 28 November 2008. A hybrid concept vehicle, the LF-Xh, previewed the third-generation RX's design direction at international auto shows a year prior to the production model's debut. The LF-Xh, which stands for Lexus Future-Crossover(X) hybrid, was first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. The LF-Xh featured a V6 engine with electric motors, LED headlights and taillights, and a concept interior. Lexus debuted the third-generation RX on 19 November 2008. The AL10 series is built in Japan and Canada, with North American models primarily built in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. Japanese RX sales began on 19 January 2009 initially only offered in sole variant: RX350. RX450h sales began in April 2009. A front-wheel drive variant of the RX450h was added in September 2009. Each trim level is equipped with the "Version L" (Luxury) which is luxury-oriented, while the "Version S" (Sport) is a sportier version of the RX. A lower variant was released in August 2010, the RX270 was added. The RX 270 features a revised 2.7-litre 1AR-FE I4 which produces maximum power 188 hp (140 kW). American RX 350 sales began

Fourth generation (AL20; 2015)

=== 2015–2019 === The fourth generation of the RX was presented at the April 2015 New York International Auto Show and the September 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show and released in late 2015. Departing from the clear taillight design, the RX continues in the design way of the RC (XC10), the IS (XE30), and the NX (AZ10) which were recently introduced at the time. The front features the brand's "Spindle Grille", which was introduced on the LF-Gh (GS Mk4 Concept) in 2011. The first production vehicle it was introduced on was the CT hatchback in 2011. On the grille is a chrome-plated border, and the headlights feature triple L-shape LEDs. Two headlight designs are available, consisting of a compact Bi-LED which comes standard, or an L-shape LED, accompanied by 18 separate LEDs. The "Intelligent High Beam" (IHB) is a system that automatically switches between high and low beams, depending on driving situation. The rear also features what the brand calls the "spindle design" theme, with rear L-shaped taillights which wrap around the rear fender section to enhance functionality. The C-pillar is blacked out which are to give a floating roof effect. General exterior features include flush-fitting headlight washers, dual exhausts, an optional panoramic sunroof, aluminum roof rails, redesigned door handles which include the SmartAccess card key, and a door handle illumination. The drag coefficient on the fourth-generation RX had reached 0.33 Cd. The aerodynamic enhancements not only improve the drag coefficient, but also help with stability and cabin noise. Retaining a few of its exterior colors from the previous generation, the new colors include the Caviar, Autumn Shimmer and Nightfall Mica. The paint features a scratch-resistant coat that restores itself if scratched using a high-pe

Fifth generation (ALA10/ALH10; 2022)

The fifth-generation RX was unveiled on 31 May 2022. Built on the GA-K platform, it is available in four models: RX 350, RX 350h, RX 450h+, and RX 500h F Sport Performance. The RX 500h model is equipped with Direct4 all-wheel drive system. The fifth-generation RX maintains the same overall length as the former model, although the wheelbase has grown to 2,850 mm (112.2 in) (extended by 60 mm [2.4 in]) with the wider body at 1,920 mm (75.6 in) (widened by 25 mm [1.0 in]). The switch to the GA-K platform resulted in a lower weight by 90 kg (198.4 lb), and a lower center of gravity by 15 mm (0.6 in) as well as wider tracks. The newer platform, revised dimensions, and fitment of suspension components allow for larger interior space. Unlike the previous generation, this vehicle comes with only five-passenger seating, no seven-passenger seating with the third row is offered. The three-row model from the previous generation called the RX L was replaced by the TX in 2023. The front "spindle grille" found on most Lexuses was redesigned into a more three-dimensional mass, evolving into a design element Lexus calls "spindle body". The grille is smaller and less pointed than before. The A pillars have also been moved back to emphasize the elongated hood. The front fenders are made of aluminum, while the B pillars are made of 2 GPa class hot-stamped steel, which is claimed as a world first in terms of both safety and weight reduction. The mounting points for the rear suspension and its member mounting points have been highly reinforced using short-pitch welding, laser screw welding, and structural adhesives, creating a rigid high-torsion rear body frame. For a more linear steering response, highly rigid die-cast aluminum is used for the steering support. Adaptive Variable Suspension

Sales

The success of the Lexus RX has been particularly strong in the United States, where it has been the best-selling luxury SUV since its introduction. As one of the earliest luxury crossovers on the market, the RX has inspired similar competitors from rival marques. The Lexus RX is the top selling Lexus hybrid, with global sales of 335,000 units through March 2016, out of one million Lexus hybrids delivered since 2005. As of April 2015, Lexus had accumulated more than 2.1 million RX models worldwide. The Lexus RX 400h/RX 450h is the top selling Lexus hybrid, with global sales of 335,000 units through March 2016, out of one million Lexus hybrids sold worldwide.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Lexus RX

Manufacturer

Toyota

aka

Toyota Harrier (Japan, 1997–2013)

Production

December 1997 – present

Model years

1998–present

Class

Compact luxury crossover SUV (1997–2003), Mid-size luxury crossover SUV (2003–present)

Body style

5-door SUV

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel drive, Front-engine, four-wheel drive

Successor

Toyota Harrier (XU60) (Japan, for XU30 model), Lexus TX (RX L)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q660273CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_RXCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377658848 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2023_Lexus_RX_350_Premium_Plus_in_Matador_Red_Mica,_front_left.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Mr.choppers · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.lexus.com/models/RXLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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