Currently reading: New Lexus RX priced from £39,995
Fourth-generation SUV to take on Range Rover Sport and Mercedes-Benz GLE with pricing ranging from £39,995 to £57,995

The fourth-generation Lexus RX SUV will cost from £39,995, with the first cars set to be delivered at the start of 2016.

The new RX’s dimensions make it marginally longer, wider and taller than the current car, while Lexus has added visual elements to bring the RX into line with its current family. In particular, the firm’s large spindle grille dominates the front end, while flared wheel arches and new fog lights also feature.

New L-shaped tail-light clusters can be seen at the rear, something Lexus says helps to give the RX a more ‘authoritative’ stance on the road.

The new RX sits on 20in alloy wheels, which can be customised with coloured inserts. Lexus says that thanks to the new RX’s extended wheelbase - which is 50mm longer than before - the SUV now offers more interior space.

Engine options in the new RX will include a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and an updated version of the car’s current hybrid powertrain. The latter has been retuned, and will feature a 3.5-litre V6 engine mated to an electric motor. Total output from the system will be around 300bhp. Lexus says both powertrain options have been tuned to return high fuel economy and low CO2 emissions.

The entry-level version of the RX200t is offered with front-wheel drive, while the all over versions will be four-wheel drive.

There are five trims on offer - S, SE, Luxury, F-Sport and Premier. The entry-level S comes with dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, satellite navigation with an eight-inch screen, DAB digital radio, reversing camera and LED headlights.

Step up to the SE, which is the lowest trim available with the hybrid powertrain, and you get auto-dimming mirrors, leather upholstery, heated and cooled front powered seats, ad memory settings for the seat, mirrors and steering wheel positions. Luxury versions add a larger, 12.3in satellite navigation screen with DVD player, 20in alloys, a gesture controlled bootlid and a wireless phone charger.

Higher-spec F-Sport versions also get visual upgrades, including a new mesh for the grille and front bumper, with unique alloy wheel designs and a different instrument cluster. The car also gets steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The F-Sport also gets a new active stabiliser system, which helps to keep the car level through corners, as well as adaptive variable suspension. Drivers can select from a new Sport S+ mode, too.

The range-topping Premier model adds more kit like a colour head-up display, an upgraded 15-speaker stereo system, heated steering wheel and the choice of a sunroof or a panoramic glass roof.

Lexus says the RX’s structure is now stiffer and more stable than before, and the car should offer “drastically improved” handling response.

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F-Sport versions of the new RX get a new mesh for the grille and front bumper, with unique alloy wheel designs and a different instrument cluster. The car also gets steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The F-Sport has a new active stabiliser system, which helps to keep the car level through corners, as well as adaptive variable suspension. Drivers can select from a new Sport S+ mode inside, too.

Other new features on the RX include Lexus’s Safety System+, which combines existing technologies such as pre-emergency braking, lane departure warning and automatic high-beam lights. The system also includes a new lane-keeping assistance feature, and also works with the car’s adaptive cruise control.

Optional safety features include adaptive lighting, a panoramic view camera system and a blind-spot monitoring system.

The RX is a big seller for Lexus, accounting for three out of every 10 vehicles the brand has sold in its 26-year history.

Gen Ikeda, chief designer of the RX, said: “We designed the RX to have a high amount of excitement and strength. The longer wheelbase and larger wheel size create sporty, powerful proportions. At the same time as we have secured a highly luxurious and spacious cabin, we have kept a sleek and dynamic vehicle silhouette.”

The new RX will face competition from the likes of the Range Rover Sport, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE in Europe.

Pricing ranges from £39,995 for the two-wheel drive RX 200t, ranging to £57,995 for the RX450h Premier. Sales start from the beginning of 2016.

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winniethewoo 2 April 2015

Can't wait to see one on the

Can't wait to see one on the road... you can't really tell looking at pics of heavily surfaced designs what the car will look like in the flesh. Looks promising though. The NX looks awesome in the flesh.
gazza5 2 April 2015

i like it

I currently like all of lexus range - actually scrap that not sure about the CT. I like the IS and GS, the suv aren't really my thing but my wife liked the NX when we saw a white 15 plate. The RX above though in my opinion looks better than the NX
erly5 2 April 2015

Again I'm in the minority...

...but I like it. So much more interesting than its competitors. It's about time a premium company took design risks and offered an alternative to the boring German fare.