2023 Lexus RX | Review & Road Test

For the latest Lexus RX pricing and information:
www.kbb.com/Lexus/RX
The RX is a midsize luxury SUV and that generation 5 is built atop a lighter yet more rigid platform shared with the smaller Lexus NX. While overall length is unchanged from the previous RX, the wheels now sit a bit wider and the wheelbase has grown by more than 2 inches.
While the RX is offered as a hybrid most buyers will choose the non-hybridized RX 350 that features a 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder (275hp, 317 lb-ft.) coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission and is offered in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Lexus will also eventually offer a 450h+ plug-in hybrid variant but details were limited as of when I made this video so we’ll jump to the speediest version, the RX 500h F Sport Performance (366hp, 406 lb-ft. 27 MPG combined). It employs a hybrid powertrain with 2.4L turbocharged engine and a rear electric motor plus a 6-speed automatic transmission for a more direct acceleration feel. In total, the RX driving experience is what you’d expect, comfortable, quiet, and, in 500h form, pleasantly quick.
The RX is also a pleasure to occupy. The latest RX provides increased rear legroom. Opt power recline. Up front, a 9.8” infotainment screen comes standard but a snazzy 14” unit is found on higher trims. Either screen includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus voice activation via the “Hey, Lexus” prompt.
Keep it simple and a base RX 350 comes with heated front seats, multi-zone climate control, 8-way adjustable front seats, and a 12-speaker audio system. Also standard is Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 which merges full-speed dynamic cruise control with curve speed reduction, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking with intersection support, motorcyclist, bicyclists and pedestrian detection into a big old bundle of safety and convenience.
00:00 2023 Lexus RX Review
0:50 Driving Impressions
2:38 Engine Choices
3:24 RX 500h Driving Impressions
5:00 Interior
6:10 Infotainment
8:20 Exterior
9:32 Features

[@MicahMuzio]

Dang. I hate when stupid mistakes slip through. Everyone who noted the bizarely low fuel economy figure for the 350h is correct. It SHOULD read 37MPG combined. Sorry to create confusion! 🤦‍♂

[@walterd7331]

Honest mistake! Thank you for rectifying it.

[@Alexanderdinglenoodle]

@@walterd7331 yea

[@morromk7538]

Where were you driving at? Looks like slo county or maybe Monterey ? Am I close Micah?

[@MicahMuzio]

@@morromk7538 We started in Santa Barbara and motored up near Solvang.

[@jjgates6351]

Always enjoy your reviews! Humorous yet informative

[@AnthemTheCat]

Lyn & Mike are good reviewers; but Micah proves once again why he’s the OG with his unique style & humor. Often imitated, never replicated.

[@jessebettis501]

2001 RX 300 Monroney sticker was $40K 21 years later you're still near $47K, not bad.

[@rickyjohnsonsr1988]

Love your reviews!

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Great video Micah!

[@mratran]

Thanks for the Review. Finally the RX has a new style!

[@naveenthemachine]

Not really.

[@bessel260]

I have a 2022 NX and I love it! This looks like a longer version of it.

[@bhargavgoud3231]

Thank you for installing HVAC knobs can't ask for enough

[@shamimazad007]

The review I was waiting for...

[@BobbyDigital_100]

Oh Micah with the tricep snake poppin at 5:55 🐍 🦾

[@gf4966]

I think the mpg listed for the 350h at 2:39 is a typo. The hybrid would not get 24 mpg. Did you mean 34?

[@ronochow]

That's a pretty clever way to do the mechanical door release and having the electronic.

[@GHN1013]

I do love straight down for Sports Mode. It’s very natural movement when you’re driving in normal mode and need to do a quick shift for extra boost. My Audi has the same quick downward shift functionality for Sports mode.

[@alexsanders1652]

Loved this review. Guy made it very funny/informative 😀

[@MicahMuzio]

I appreciate that, Alex. Cheers!

[@ryanlangner4098]

Nice work Micah! I hope you were also able to commandeer a glass of wine after the review!

[@CrossCuntyRic]

The way the lower body and window shapes create a tapering stance towards the rear is very reminiscent of the BMW i8. I like it. I also like how they designed the body panel for the tailgate; how the window is flush with the body panel is reminiscent of the Range Rover Sport.

[@BigNailHead]

Does Lexus provide footage of the door handle's functions during extreme cold (ex. freezing rain) testing?

[@MicahMuzio]

They did not but that is an interesting question.

[@penvon]

If the 2022 NX has the same door handle like the RX then it works.

[@yay842]

There are manual handles on the new RX.

[@penvon]

@@yay842 exactly like the new NX,there are manual ones as well…

[@TalismanPHX]

Nori Green FTW

[@RafaelPerez-vz3nz]

I like the way she said “ I like the way it feels in my hands”

[@davidwolf226]

Micah, I really like the new appointments to the interior and the change in the grill design. I also really like the green color on this particular RX. All in all, Lexus has updated this favored model very nicely.

[@user-hq4vl9tj9m]

So Micah….are you going to review the RX with Evie? 😗

[@lav1daloca]

Can you start it remotely?

[@chocolatemilk912]

What I really appreciate about your reviews is that you have perspective and review relative to the segment. I’m alluding to what you mentioned with the drive mode selector. So many other reviewers from other channels will nitpick the hell out of a car down to the tiniest thing and it’s like relax you twat it’s a base econo-box. If you want to drive it to the Ritz, then don’t buy a Corolla.

[@MicahMuzio]

Thanks for your comment! Car reviewers drive everything and it’s easy to lose sight of what real car shoppers actually care about. I’m definitely not perfect but I try to keep that in mind.

[@naveenthemachine]

But those nitpicks are valid and can be backed up with facts. Take the corolla vs civic. The corolla is uncompetitive so it makes it easier to point out the nitpicks. The Honda Civic is a class leader so any nitpicks in it can be overlooked because it excels in every category

[@retiredrockstar5299]

Great video. My Wife gets hers next week. The door slam made me cringe a bit though.

[@Praneesh]

What the camera work was that ?? At 5:01

[@sv595]

I'm pretty sure it's around 36mpg combined for a hybrid, not 24mpg

[@papagen00]

24mpg is for the 500h hybrid and 36mpg for the 350h.

[@FlyGuy457]

Micah, can describe what "road feel" is exactly? I don't want to feel the road. I want the vehicle to go in the direction pointed. Just curious.

[@MicahMuzio]

Some folks like you don't want to know the road is there. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is an ideal conveyance for them. Others appreciate the sense that they're moving through space and engaging with their surrounds. They like knowing a little something about the surface over which they're driving. That can manifest as sound, vibration, tactile sensations through the steering wheel. Those sensory inputs support driver engagement, for those who appreciate that sort of thing.

[@anotheryoutubeaccount5259]

@@MicahMuzio ...but this isn't the kind of car for that

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Great video, these look great!

[@Wildman2291]

Micah should be the only one reviewing cars on this channel. Always interesting and fun. Others bore me to death

[@hugovallarta]

So much sarcasm! 😆 Love it!

[@Thresher]

I have a 2020 RX. One of the reasons I got it was because it was one of the few left that had a 6 cylinder engine. I will probably look elsewhere when the lease is up.

[@shanet7511]

The hybrids drive much nicer and are known for their reliability. You don't even have to plug them in, you're being obtuse.

[@jackyzhang4915]

@@Ameer_30 He’s probably doing so because Lexus leases are less , even with the current state of the market (even tho it’s still kinda terrible) a zero down lease for a $55,000 RX is around $800-850 a month meanwhile zero down lease for a similar price base model Mercedes GLE will be over $1000 a month

[@Mc.Nuggetz]

How does this compare to the RDX? Which one would you recommend to someone who enjoys driving and wants something a little fun.

[@normt430]

Compared to the Midsize Premium SUV segment, Lexus owners are more often women, are older, and enjoy a lower median annual household income. J.D. Power data shows that 42% of Lexus RX owners are female (vs. 38% for the segment), that their median age is 65 (vs. 58 for the segment), and that their median annual household income is $155,303 (vs. $184,248 for the segment).

[@ryansabune219]

I can't believe for a over 40k starting price the RX still doesn't come standard with led turn signals... hopefully you wont still be charged monthly to remote start using the key fob this time...

[@weirdshibainu]

Thanks for the review Micah. I'd like to see how the new CX-90 stacks up.

[@normt430]

RX drops the miniature 3rd row.

[@naveenthemachine]

The cx90 has officially murdered and buried the RX in its grave

[@anotheryoutubeaccount5259]

@@naveenthemachine Really?

[@naveenthemachine]

@@anotheryoutubeaccount5259 yes. A fwd Toyota Camry based vehicle has no chance to compete with a RWD Mazda

[@anotheryoutubeaccount5259]

@@naveenthemachine And why is that?

[@christerry1773]

I have a 17 rx350, and am getting new car fever so bad for this car. But don’t you have to like preorder?

[@ButWeCanStillParty]

You have to order (AKA state your required colors/trim level) and put a deposit down ($2,000 where I am) that is unconditionally refundable.

[@walterd7331]

That MPG you quote on the 350h has got to be a typo. It easily gets over 30 MPG. Not mid 20’s…

[@MicahMuzio]

You are 100% right. I've note my mistake for others to see. Thanks for keeping us honest!

[@Bigbillyrayfan]

Test drove one of these. The driver door opened twice while turning right because my knee hit the button to open the door

[@petertrout7866]

You talk about your front seat preferred seating situation 5:11 but we have no idea how tall you are,so we can get a better idea of what’s what. Alex on auto gives us his height on all his videos so that people who are new to the show won’t have go back to previous video to see if he ever mentions his height. Thanks

[@lucasl.5084]

America’s favorite dad

[@The_slowest_buuurn]

Great looking car...not entirely convinced about the switch from a 6 cylinder to a 4 cylinder turbo engine. Let's see if it holds up over time

[@weirdshibainu]

It'll hold up, but it does seem to undercut the premium nature of the brand.

[@stephenwinter8892]

Greetings from southern Ontario Canada this crossover is built in the tmmc plant in Cambridge Ontario please remember that thanks for the video

[@beri232]

Too bad….Japan-made would be preferred 😞

[@thelastword71]

Thank you Canada🙌

[@peter300pete]

RX350h, 24 mpg combined? Double check.

[@Boostleaked]

Yup definitely a typo. It’s 36mpg combined and 619 mile range on a full tank for the RX350H.

[@normt430]

@@Boostleaked RAV4 Hybrid is only getting 37 mpg on fuelly. This won't be over 35 mpg.

[@xueruiyang4485]

@@normt430 rx350h nx350h and new crown has 3 electric motors, and RAV4 hybrid only has 2 motors

[@normt430]

@@xueruiyang4485 well it won't improve the AWD system that only sends 50% torque the rear. So it is a sad Toyota product again.

[@Americanboy48]

The only car that I want to see only lexus ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@michaelrocks1529]

I love this car but wish they kept the 3.5L V6 option.

[@Thesuperblack22]

Just realized what the painted top portion of the grille reminds me of: a beluga whale. Nice

[@bajabret60]

No V-6?? I'm curious what the reliability/performance is on the 4-cyl with turbo on such a heavy car

[@daveellis5100]

Recorded horizontally:)

[@CumBrianFries]

2:03 - "that's good assertive thrust" - that's what she said mate, that's what she said...

[@pbfloyd13]

Lexus RX350: The Official Car of overly complex Starbucks orders, and yelling at minimum wage employees....

[@luvdocumentary]

Why always road testing hybrids?

[@citibear57]

I can't say that I love the new snout, or if I prefer the old proboscis. They're both kind of hideous. The interior looks good though.

[@lav1daloca]

I wanna see it standing next to its competitors X5, GLE, Q7, GV80

[@naveenthemachine]

I’ll save you time. The RX lost badly before that even happens😂

[@ahmedsyed3436]

Lexus infotainment system should come with a dark theme similar to Audi or VW.

[@Minusroot8]

Micah is taller than Mike Danger right?

[@bigtunaV]

Correct. Micah has a longer torso :D.

[@justins8895]

Ha!

[@Kung.Pao.Kitty.]

By a smidge. 🤏🏾

[@ejohnson3131]

I think Micah is 5’9” or 5’10”… Mike Danger is 6’4”

[@alvinmu6284]

At 2:42 yall listed the rx350h awd at 24mpg. That's a little low no? Especially since 10 seconds later yall said the regualr 350 also gets 24 mpg

[@naveenthemachine]

The 350h gets 35mpg

[@benjaminscello4623]

Lol I saw that too...the hybrid gets 24mpg but the non hybrid gets 25mpg??? Gotta be a typo

[@connordurham8216]

It is some journalists were getting 40 mpg with it during their drives

[@yassirayad3564]

Ok..... How much? I've been waiting for the price??????????????????/

[@wess7831]

Pretty sure it has a eCVT in the H and not an 8 speed

[@kingkap4361]

F-Sport me please 🎉❤

[@TAELSDOLL]

lexus really had a baby with a civic

[@BDoOC99]

Incandescent front turn signals even on base form are unacceptable to see on a 2023 Lexus!

[@alonsocaocristino7905]

It looks like the older model interior was crafted with better materials

[@rnwnsfla]

No brand new Lexus is good. Gets nice after 20 years on the road.

[@paulh6517]

That mauve/pink/copper color is hideous. Other than that, it looks like a nice crossover.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Bring back the superior V6 engine. Drove the new Lexus and was not impressed by the weak anemic I-4 turbo engine!

[@mervinprone]

That 500h sounds good 😭

[@JaghataiK]

You’re quite forgiving of the lacking rear headroom, unresponsive/ laggy infotainment system, lack of common sense buttons and unnecessarily quirky gear shifter. Not to mention the ride is neither very luxurious nor very responsive. At least, you did mention those points though.

[@naveenthemachine]

I wouldn’t forgive Lexus for that. If I saw that in person I’d quickly end the test drive and go straight to genesis

[@JacobTJ1]

Love the new interior, dash, tail light and head lights, new ugly beak, same alien vacuum cleaner grille. And the polarizing D-pillar.. Still can't get past the ugly styling.. great review as always Micha

[@anotheryoutubeaccount5259]

That "beak" is really sharp and nice looking

[@Ethan7s]

Alex and savagegeese came out with the RX review video 3 days ago, why did it take you so long Micah?? Don't be lazy!

[@MicahMuzio]

Naturally, the only explanation is laziness. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a hammock and a Mai Tai to get back to. 🍹

[@Ethan7s]

@@MicahMuzio At least you are honest about being lazy. I bet your boss appreciates that!

[@MicahMuzio]

@@Ethan7s Hopefully the guy in charge of video doesn’t see this. Semi-related, I’m the guy in charge of video. 😘

[@Ethan7s]

@@MicahMuzio Why are you wasting your time answering random internet comments? This is why the video was 3 days late. Semi-related, I'm the guy writing random internet comments.

[@MicahMuzio]

@@Ethan7s Well, making KZbin videos is my job and part of that job includes answering questions and engaging with commenters. So, here we are. And for anyone wondering, there are lots of steps in creating and distributing videos like this. Me being lazy wasn't the issue here. And with that, I'm going to move on from this lively exhange. Cheers!

[@kevinbarry71]

I hate electronic door poppers. There's always a delay. And this thing is designed to make you pay for a subscription to make it work properly. Step forward, step backward

[@michaelsciortino7112]

Lexus seemingly always dissapoints me more and more . It is gorgeous outside so much better than the hideous mishmash of a design of the previous generation. But once again features a lackluster interior. Additionally the "redesign" is a stretch the same way it was on the is this is an evolution not a redesign although it's an improvement more needed to be done, seems half baked and the proportions are a little odd. Just another Lexus I can't justify spending this amount of money on, they used to be cheaper than the Germans but through the years crept right up to them and it's extremely hard to not step up, besides the reliability factor. Even Mazda Hyundai and Kia offer plush options that can near rival this at a cheaper price, before even stepping up to genesis. Reliability is all it has going for it and even with that new Lexus’s haven’t been as reliable as they used to. The xc90, gv80, mdx, and aviator all leave this Lexus in the dust and the palisade, Cx9 , and telluride are just as good if not better than this at a way better value. If it wasn’t for the strong buyer demographic following that the rx has Lexus would be in big trouble.

[@naveenthemachine]

I’m glad you’re disappointed. It means i was right once again. I think you may have made fun of me before for saying the RX was DOA

[@Mr21scott]

@@naveenthemachine You're made fun of because you have a severe mental illness that you refuse to treat. And answering your own comments with another user name is just one example.

[@rekeshorey5571]

Im a lexus/toyota fanboy but damn they keep making that grill uglier

[@MiroBG359]

Platform shared with the NX. So a glorified RAV4

[@naveenthemachine]

It’s also shared w the Camry so you may as well say it’s a Camry with lipstick (albeit ugly brown lipstick) and heels

[@MiroBG359]

@@naveenthemachine at least the Camry is relatively good looking and comes with a v6. They gave this anemic thing the ugly Lexus UX face but no v6

[@naveenthemachine]

@@MiroBG359 agreed. I own a 20 XSE v6 But you better hurry the v6 is essentially dead. The ES and Camry may get this 2.4 turbo

[@RRLV434]

Eh I’d take the GV70 over this. The only thing this has going for it is the hybrid option, but that doesn’t even get good gas mileage.

[@naveenthemachine]

But you’ll hear pathetic comments like the RX outsells genesis

[@joshuagarcia5749]

@@naveenthemachine it’s not pathetic it’s true lol

[@naveenthemachine]

@@joshuagarcia5749 but RX outselling genesis doesn’t make Lexus better than genesis

[@joshuagarcia5749]

@@naveenthemachine true but I wouldn’t say one brand is better than the other because they all have different ways to appeal to their customers.

[@beri232]

Genesis is trash as are you Naveen. Maybe buy one and experience the garbage before spouting all over the net about them. You’d swear you were on their payroll. 🙄

[@AmericanFUBAR33]

it's a very expensive Toyota Venza, gosh I'll keep my 2022 version with 6 cylinders and 400 horsepower.

[@Bigfoothawk]

No rx 350 has had 400 hp. What drugs are you on?

[@alexcho6945]

It makes Genesis look better.

[@yh2979]

Lexus buyers are looking at BMW and Mercedes, not Genesis 😂😂

[@naveenthemachine]

Lexus has proven with the RX nx that genesis is already way better before the Lexus goes on sale

[@alexcho6945]

@@yh2979 I didn't say they would want to buy Genesis instead of Lexus. What I said was Lexus became so ugly enough to make Genesis look good. If you can understand it.

[@yh2979]

To my eye the RX still looks better than Genesis.. Genesis would have looked better if it didn’t have the Chrysler logo 😅

[@alexcho6945]

@@yh2979 To your eyes. Yes. But, not to my eyes and many other people's eyes. Don't force your thoughts on others. I actually own a current version of RX350. But I'm not getting the new version for sure.

[@anthonyvaldez8058]

Nice Toyota!

[@ataka1]

The front is not convincing. The back is ok.

[@squalie9]

Refuse to buy a car without physical buttons.

[@daved217]

Lexus has given up on older buyers and younger buyers who like sportiness are not going to buy this anyway.

[@victortin559]

2.5L for the SUV? What a joke. I will be waiting for V6 at least

[@billyrock8305]

Fuel economy is WRONG!! ⛽️ 🙈

[@desimo147]

That new peach color they have may be the worst color I have ever seen by an auto maker. At least that I can remember.

[@UFO_Believer_X]

This looks like Lexus had an after thought that grill is too big and looks ugly, let's trim it down with melted plastic instead of redesigning the front end. 😂

[@Stormcoaster101]

Lexus is evolving from the Volvo of the boomer generation in middle age to the Buick of their parents generation 😂😂😂. Can’t change it too much, Kathleen and bill might be off-put.

[@jensgotthardt593]

NoV6,No LEXUS

[@colechapman3382]

It’s kinda ugly. I hate that front piece that looks like a swollen bruise on the hood of the car

[@mrvang8077]

These are hardly worth calling SUVs. Can't haul or carry any cargo let alone enough room for a 7-passenger. The real whole point of going with an SUV is to carry 7 passengers and plenty of room for cargo and hauling things. These SUV are considered a sedan considering how tiny the back cargo is let alone not even enough room for passengers.

[@appleseedmvp]

If it’s 37mpg, the real life mpg is 30 max.

[@M-Hamdoun]

is it me or lexus is bad luxury car ? not discussing reliability here ... but for design exterior ,interior and features ... European cars are way ahead of lexus for the interior ...a high trim Mazda looks better and gives almost similar features if it wasn't for toyota's reliability i don't think anyone would consider pay such high price

[@ytj22]

It's you

[@naveenthemachine]

No it’s not you

[@osaruonamepeterjuniorigie2847]

1st to comment

[@SoUlSuRvIvA92]

Have been using rx models from 2001-2022 and this is just ugly imo. Really dont like the hump over the hood.

[@happyguardian2000]

not impressed

[@tomzhao103]

The road test sounds very noisy engine, cheap v4.

[@shad6145]

BMW wasn’t coming into your lane tbh

[@joesinkovits6591]

It amazes me that there is a market for such ugly pieces of garbage.

[@naveenthemachine]

Dead on arrival No surprise since it’s typical Lexus. Always lowering the bar in the luxury space I knew it got thrown in the garbage by the MDX gv80 aviator before it’s unveil Now that everyone’s driven it that argument holds true. You can’t be a luxury brand and only produce average quality vehicles based on mainstream models Idk why anyone would choose this considering it falls apart in every way as a luxury vehicle including styling interior luxury opulence elegance performance handling tech

[@beri232]

Lexus doesn’t give 2 shits what you think kid. It sells quality auto’s to “adults”…. not children who aspire to own a Genesis.

[@connordurham8216]

@@beri232 love your comment he isn’t the brightest kid because there’s kids that know what you mean

[@connordurham8216]

Funny how you think that considering the tech is class competitive space is competitive and design and interior is a matter of taste so… plus it’s got something that basically this class doesn’t have with the possible exception of the mdx and the would be reliability and it’s this nice and undercuts lots of its rivals price wise

[@Mr21scott]

The new RX lives rent-free in the psychotic's brain just like the old one, maybe more. That's something you don't see on the sticker price.

[@kgisabeast]

I’m pretty sure he’s special needs

[@tazwarhossain5283]

How tall are you Micah?