Lexus RX

Lexus RX
Production period:	since 1997
Class :	SUV
Body versions :	Station wagon

The Lexus RX is a sports utility vehicle produced by Toyota premium brand Lexus since August 1997 . The vehicle was not originally intended for the European market, but was introduced there in autumn 2000.

The vehicle is now sold worldwide under the Lexus brand name. Since Lexus was only launched as an independent brand in Japan in 2006, the first two generations of the RX were sold there as the Toyota Harrier . The SUV was introduced in Japan in December 1997 and in North America in mid-1998. The Lexus RX was one of the first SUVs on the market.

XU1 (1997-2003)

1st generation
Lexus RX 300 (2000-2003)
Production period:	1997-2003
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 2.2-3.0 liters (103-148 kW)
Length:	4575 mm
Width:	1815 mm
Height:	1665 mm
Wheelbase :	2616 mm
Empty weight :	1590-1730 kg

The first RX generation, built from summer 1997 to spring 2003, was only available in Europe with the 3.0-liter V6 engine (148 kW). The RX was designed by Sotiris Kovos .

The RX initially played practically no role on the German market. Not so in America and Japan, where it quickly advanced to become the market leader. In conjunction with the two four-cylinder units, the RX was offered exclusively with front-wheel drive .

In autumn 2000 the design was thoroughly revised.

Engines

• 2.2-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with 103 kW (140 PS)
• 2.4-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine with 118 kW (160 PS)
• 3.0-liter V6-cylinder gasoline engine with 148 kW (201 PS)

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  Rear view

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  cockpit

RX 300 TTE

From 2001 the RX 300 could be upgraded with other body, engine and chassis components at the in-house Toyota and Lexus tuner TTE .

A TTE compressor kit followed in 2002.

RX 300 with compressor kit

• 3.0-liter V6-cylinder petrol engine with 182 kW (248 PS)

MCU (2003-2009)

2nd generation
Lexus RX 300 (2003-2006)
Production period:	2003-2009
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Otto engines : 3.0–3.5 liters (150–203 kW) Otto hybrid : 3.3 liters (200 kW)
Length:	4740 mm
Width:	1845 mm
Height:	1730 mm
Wheelbase :	2715 mm
Empty weight :	1910-2380 kg

In January 2003, at the North American International Auto Show, the successor, which had not changed significantly in terms of design and dimensions, was presented. The 3.0-liter engine in the RX 300 for Europe now developed 150 kW instead of 148 kW, while a 3.3-liter engine was used in the RX 330 in North America. The most important innovations were a new 5-speed automatic transmission with a shift gate for manual gear changes and a new air suspension.

The world's first emergency brake assistant was introduced in the Japanese version ( Toyota Harrier ) .

With the model update that took place in spring 2006, a new V6 engine was used in the RX 350 in Europe. New features of the second generation were a Mark Levinson Hi-Fi system (210 watts ) with eleven speakers, improved GPS navigation, a rear DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones, a panoramic sliding roof, and an electrically closing tailgate , Xenon headlights with cornering lights and semi-active air suspension (not in the hybrid) optionally available.

Models

• RX 300: 3.0-liter V6-cylinder gasoline engine with 150 kW (204 PS)
• RX 350: 3.5-liter V6-cylinder gasoline engine with 203 kW (276 hp)
• RX 400h: 3.3-liter V6-cylinder gasoline engine / hybrid with 155/200 kW (211/272 hp)

model	330 (USA)	300 (DE)	350	400h (without hybrid motors)
Number of cylinders	6th	6th	6th	6th
Displacement (cm³)	3310	2995	3456	3311
Max. Power (kW / PS)	169/228 at 5600	150/204 at 5600	203/276 at 6200	155/211 at 5600 200/272 (system performance)
Max. Torque (Nm)	325 at 4500	283 at 4500	342 at 4700	288 at 4400
Top speed (km / h)	200	200	200	200
Transmission (standard)	5-stage automatic	5-stage automatic	5-stage automatic	Stepless automatic
Acceleration (0-100 km / h)	10.4 s	9.0 s	7.8 s	7.6 s
Combined consumption (l / 100 km)	12.2	12.2	11.2	8.1

Hybrid

As the second hybrid model ever available , the RX 400h, which was introduced in the United States and Japan in spring 2005, has also been available in Europe since spring 2006.

The Hybrid Synergy Drive system with a V6 engine was used as the drive technology; in addition, another mechanically independent electric motor drives the rear axle. Compared to the conventional model, the rear seat bench has been raised slightly to make room for the NiMH battery. In addition, the design has been changed slightly. It comprised metal surrounds instead of wood decor, round fog lights, a modified dashboard and a radiator grille with horizontal instead of vertical struts.

The maximum speed limited by the hybrid system was 200 km / h. The combined consumption was given as 8.1 l / 100 km of premium gasoline.

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  Lexus RX 400h (2006-2009)

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AGL1 / GGL1 / GYL1 (2009-2015)

3rd generation
RX 450h (2009-2012)
Production period:	2009-2015
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 3.5 liters (203 kW) Otto hybrid : 3.5 liters (220 kW)
Length:	4770 mm
Width:	1885 mm
Height:	1685 mm
Wheelbase :	2741 mm
Empty weight :	2050-2280 kg

The third generation of the RX was available from German dealers from April 2009. The new Lexus gained in length and width, but became flatter and about 100 kg heavier. The engines available were the more powerful 3.5-liter V6 with 203 kW (277 hp) from the previous model and the 450h (hybrid) known from the GS .

As an innovation, the engine ran in a so-called Atkinson cycle in order to minimize internal engine friction and to reduce fuel consumption overall. The lack of torque at low speeds was compensated for by the hybrid system with electric motors.

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  cockpit

At the Geneva Motor Show 2012, a revised model of the RX 450h was presented, which came onto the German market in June. A sporty F-Sport variant was offered as an additional equipment option.

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  RX 450h (since 2012)

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Lexus RX 450h technical data

• Engine: 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine
• Output: 183 kW / 249 PS
• Torque: 317 Nm / 4800 rpm
• Two electric motors with 123 kW / 167 PS and 50 kW / 68 PS, 335 and 139 Nm
• total system output 220 kW / 299 PS
• Acceleration (0-100 km / h): 7.8 s
• Top speed: 200 km / h
• Consumption: 6.3 liters of super per 100 km
• CO ₂ emissions: 148 g / km

AGL20 (since 2015)

4th generation
Lexus RX 450h (since 2015)
Production period:	since 2015
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Otto engines : 2.0–3.5 liters (175–220 kW) Otto hybrid : 3.5 liters (230 kW)
Length:	4890-5000 mm
Width:	1895 mm
Height:	1685-1710 mm
Wheelbase :	2790 mm
Empty weight :	1995-2275 kg

Stars in the Euro NCAP - Crash Test (2015)

The latest model series was presented at the New York International Auto Show in April 2015. The market launch in Germany took place in November 2015.

The design was adapted to the current Lexus design language. In addition to the floating roof design, which is shown in a colored C-pillar, the revised radiator grille ( spindle grille ) stands out in particular .

The wheelbase was lengthened by 50.8 mm.

At the LA Auto Show in November 2017, Lexus presented the RX L, a version that is eleven centimeters longer. It is available with six or seven seats.

At the end of May 2019, a revised version of the RX was presented.

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  Lexus RX 350 L (since 2017)

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Technical specifications

Cutaway model of the RX L showing the longer rear overhang

	RX 200t (since 2015)	RX 200t AWD (since 2015)	RX 350 (since 2015, Russia)	RX 450h (since 2015)	RX L 450h (since 2018)
Engine type and number of cylinders	R4 petrol engine		V6 petrol engine	V6 petrol engine + electric motor
Displacement	1998 cc		3456 cc
power	175 kW (238 hp) for 4800-5600		220 kW (299 hp) at 6300	193 kW (263 hp) at 6000
Max. Torque	350 Nm at 1650-4000		370 Nm at 4600-4700	335 Nm at 4600
Electric motor	-			123 kW (rear) +50 kW (front) (167 + 68 PS)
High performance battery	-			288 V nominal voltage nickel-metal hydride
System performance	-			230 kW (313 hp)
drive	Front wheel drive	electric all-wheel drive (E-FOUR)
transmission	6-speed automatic		8-speed automatic	Stepless automatic
Top speed, km / h	200				180
Acceleration 0–100 km / h in s	9.2	9.5	8.2	7.7	8.0
Fuel consumption (in accordance with EEC guidelines, combined) in l / 100 km	7.8-7.9 great	7.9-8.1 great	9.0 great	5.2-5.5 great	5.9-6.0 great
CO 2 emissions, combined in g / km	181-184	184-189	210	120-127	136-138
Tank capacity	72 L			65 L
Base price (Germany including VAT )	€ 49,900	€ 51,250		€ 58,900	€ 67,000

Registration numbers

In the first full sales year of 2016, 542 Lexus RXs were newly registered in Germany. In the following year there were 612 vehicles. The hybrid drive variant accounted for 476 of these. In 2018, 527 of the 619 vehicles had a hybrid drive, in 2019 419 of the total of 554 vehicles.

Source: Federal Motor Transport Authority

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Toyota Media article on the RX 300 TTE
2. ↑ Autobild article on the RX 300 TTE
3. ^ Technical Development Electronics Parts . Toyota Motor Corporation. 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
4. ↑ Lexus RX 400h: Scotty, energy! In: Der Spiegel , June 23, 2005, accessed December 5, 2012.
5. ↑ Lexus RX 400 Hybrid. In: Automobilrevue , 2005, accessed on May 21, 2012.
6. ↑ Result of the Lexus RX in the Euro NCAP crash test (2015)
7. ^ Lexus RX
8. ↑ 2016 Lexus RX: It's New But It's Not Reimagined - Official Photos and Info. In: www.caranddriver.com. Retrieved October 30, 2015 . 
9. ↑ Long version for up to 7 passengers. In: www.auto-motor-und-sport.de. Retrieved March 9, 2018 . 
10. ↑ Lexus RX Facelift 2019. In: www.autonotizen.de. Accessed May 31, 2019 . 
11. ↑ New registrations of passenger cars in December 2016 by brand and model series. Retrieved January 12, 2018 . 
12. ↑ New registrations of passenger cars in December 2017 by brand and model series. Retrieved January 12, 2018 . 
13. ↑ New registrations of passenger cars in December 2018 by brand and model series. Retrieved January 19, 2018 . 
14. ↑ New registrations of passenger cars in December 2019 by brand and model series. Retrieved January 11, 2019 . 

Web links

Commons : Lexus RX  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Lexus RX on the Lexus website