10 Things We Love About the Lexus RX

The best-selling Lexus RX is the gold standard for the luxury SUV segment. The original luxury crossover SUV, the Lexus RX has been delighting drivers for over 20 years by offering an ideal blend of utility and luxury.  While there are countless reasons to love the Lexus RX, we put together a Top Ten list of our favorite things for the updated 2020 model year. We hope you enjoy the 10 Things We Love About the Lexus RX.

10 Things We Love About the Lexus RX

1. Six Unique Variations

The Lexus RX is available in six unique variations to fit every family and lifestyle. Not only do we love the options, but these six variations are surprisingly easy to distinguish. When deciding on the right RX for you, the first choice you’re going to have to make is to get either the gasoline version or the hybrid. The Lexus RX 350 is the V6 gasoline engine model and it is available in three variations: the standard RX 350, the RX 350 F SPORT, and the RX 350L. For eco-conscious drivers that want performance without compromise, the RX 450h is a great choice and it is the hybrid. The RX Hybrid is also available in three variations: the standard RX 450h, the RX 450h F SPORT, or the RX 450hL.  Still with us? Once you decide on either the gas or hybrid model, you can then set your eyes on style and seating.

The standard RX and RX Hybrid have plenty of package options that we will not get into here but typically looks like this and seats five passengers:

The standard RX is the “original luxury crossover.” The 2020 standard RX 350 has a starting MSRP around $45K and delivers 295 horsepower. The 2020 RX 450h – same size but with standard AWD has a starting MSRP around $54K and delivers 308 total system horsepower.

For those wanting to take things up another level, the RX F SPORT offers a bold design with unique F SPORT grille, wheels, and interior trims. The RX F SPORT seats five passengers for both the gas and hybrid models.

Sophisticated aggression.  The RX 350 F SPORT AWD with V6 Engine, 8-speed Automatic Transmission with Paddle Shifters, and starting MSRP around $61K.  You can get the Hybrid model in the F SPORT variation as well but it is a little harder to find, currently.

Finally, the RX L is available in both RX models as well and offers to seat up to seven passengers on the RX 350L and six passengers on the RX 450hL. What’s the difference? You’ll find the passenger capacity to be different due to the second-row seating configuration – the RX 350L comes standard with second-row bench-style seating whereas the RX 450hL comes standard with second-row captain’s chair seating.  Both models will have power fold-flat third-row seats.

2. The Story Behind the Signature Grille

If you’re a Lexus enthusiast like us, you already know that there is a story behind every model, feature, and color created by the master craftsman at Lexus. The signature grille on the updated 2020 model year has its own story that exemplifies the painstaking detail that Lexus pours into every design.

“Lexus designers focused on the signature grille when developing the 2020 RX update. Designers spent six months and drew the lines thousands of times to create the final pattern, which balances elegance and aggressiveness.”

3. Scratch-Resistant Self-Restoring Coating

All RX paint colors feature a scratch-resistant self-restoring coating that uses high-performance macromolecular polymer. That’s science-speak for “they’re as scratch-resistant as they are beautiful.”

4. Driving Dynamics

Lexus engineers focused on improving driving dynamics for the 2020 model year refresh and it is our fourth favorite thing we love about the Lexus RX. Working with the same team that developed the impressive Lexus RC coupe, Lexus engineers also worked directly with the production team to identify areas to add spot welds and structural adhesives. Production team members even participated in test-driving prototype vehicles. That’s what we can teamwork making the dream work!

5. Connected Conveniences

Countless conveniences come on the 2020 Lexus RX including the Lexus+Alexa app that allows you to bring all the convenience of Amazon Alexa on the road. Using only your voice, you can easily access thousands of the same functions you get with Amazon Alexa at home. Listen to audiobooks, stream Amazon Music, make lists (like this one!), check the weather, get news briefings, and more. The 2020 RX also comes with standard Android Auto which you can learn more about here and Apple CarPlay.

6. Painted Black

Ok, it may not be painted black but we couldn’t resist the reference to one of our favorite Rolling Stones songs. Number six on our list of 10 Things We Love About the Lexus RX is the distinctive styling element that is actually a first for any Lexus product. The blacked-out elements on the C-pillars of the Lexus RX create the illusion of a floating roofline, visually extending the apparent glass area along the side of the vehicle. We love how Lexus understands that the difference is in the details!

7. TWO Award-Winning Plants

Did you know that the Lexus RX is such a big seller that Lexus builds it in two plants – Cambridge, Ontario, Canada and Kyushu, Japan? You can tell if your RX was built in Canada or Japan by looking at the VIN. If the first character is a “J” that means the RX was built in Japan; if the first character is the number “2” then it was built in Canada. We love this fun fact and find it forever interesting as we track our customer’s orders from pre-production through the build cycle and delivery quite often at North Park Lexus Rio Grande Valley.

8. Standard Safety

The Lexus RX has always been a smart choice thanks to its rock-solid reliability throughout the years, but the 2020 Lexus RX and RX Hybrid can also boast street smarts thanks to standard advanced safety systems. Every 2020 RX includes Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 (LSS+2.0) that encompasses advanced, smart safety systems such as:

• Pre-Collision System with daytime and low-light pedestrian detection and daytime bicyclist detection
• All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
• Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
• Road Sign Assist (RSA)
• Intelligent High Beams

9. Multimedia Magic

Yes, we’re calling this one, “multimedia magic” – and trust us, if you’ve taken the new, touchscreen multimedia systems for a spin, you’ll agree. The new-standard 8-inch touchscreen display or available 12.3-inch touchscreen display with high-resolution graphics and matte finish made to minimize reflections and glare is simply magical. Convenience is an understatement. You can control your multimedia, various vehicle functions, phone, music, and more by simply touching the now closer than ever screen or using the redesigned remote touch interface. Oh yeah, you can also use your voice for the ultimate (and clean) convenience in our post-COVID world.

10. New Push Button Start

We’ve said it before but the difference is in the details. Our 10th pick of Things We Love About the Lexus RX is the updated push-button start switch in the 2020 RX. Changed from the classic convex to a new concave style, the new push-button start is not only comfortable but fun. The stunning push-button start on the Lexus RX features new illumination that will slowly blink when entering the vehicle and will rapidly blind when starting the engine. Just another small way that Lexus delights drivers every time they step inside the new RX.

What do you love about the Lexus RX? Let us know in the comments section below! You can also shop for your new RX from our extensive inventory selection here at North Park Lexus RGV.