Lexus adds F Sport and Sport Luxury variants to RX turbo line-up

Lexus has expanded its RX mid-size SUV line-up with the addition of two upper spec variants to the turbo model.

The F Sport and Sports Luxury grades are now available for the RX 200t. The move aligns the RX turbo offerings with the V6-powered RX 350 and the hybrid RX 450h, which already offer F Sport and Sports Luxury variants in addition to the Luxury grade.

Equipment levels for each variant are identical across the range with the F Sport turbo model featuring a host of styling and technical features that distinguish it as the most focused sporting option.

The expansion of the RX line to nine models coincides with the arrival of a Cobalt Blue exterior paint shade, which is available exclusively for F Sport variants.

Lexus Australia chief executive Peter McGregor said the new performance-focused and upper-luxury turbo variants would provide appealing new options for luxury buyers.

“The expanded RX line, with its focus on style, technology, equipment and safety, broadens our offering with progressive new models in this important and dynamic segment,” Mr McGregor said.

Slotted above the base $74,540 plus on-roads RX 200t Luxury,  the F Sport RX turbo carries a sticker of $86,840 plus ORCs while the fully loaded Sports Luxury turbo takes the price to $92,990 plus ORCs.

Read ForceGT’s Lexus RX Review

Typical of Lexus, the RX range offers a high level of standard specification. The Luxury grade is equipped with LED headlamps, daytime running lamps and fog lamps.

Also standard are 20-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, heated and ventilated front seats with 10-way power adjustment and driver memory function, 8-inch display screen with satellite navigation and Lexus Inform connected mobility, 12-speaker audio with digital (DAB+) radio, keyless smart entry and ignition, wireless phone charger, power rear door, automatic rain-sensing wipers and front clearance and rear parking sensors.

The standard Lexus Safety System+ includes a pre-collision safety system with Autonomous Emergency Braking, radar-sensing all-speed active cruise control, lane-keep assist and automatic high beam. All models are also fitted with 10 airbags, reversing camera with back-guide monitor, blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert.

Buyers of the Luxury variant can also specify a panoramic sliding roof for $3,500 or the roof plus a smart key card and colour head-up display for $4,500.

The F Sport model gains sports front seats and pedals, sports-tuned adaptive variable suspension, sports steering wheel with paddle shifters, sports grille and bumpers, unique alloy wheels, 12.3-inch display screen, 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, colour head-up display, smart key card, rear passenger door sunshade and aluminium film ornamentation.

Other F Sport features include Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management system, a panoramic view monitor and LED “high” headlamps with adaptive high-beam system, LED rear combination lamps and sequential LED front and rear indicators.

At the top of the RX line, the Sports Luxury grade has unique alloy wheels with titanium-coloured inserts, 14-way power-adjustable luxury front seats with driver and passenger memory function, power-folding and heated rear seats, leather and woodgrain steering wheel and laser-cut aluminium wood ornamentation.

The front-drive Lexus RX 200t is powered by a two-litre turbocharged engine delivering 175kW of power at 4800-5600rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1650-4000rpm. Featuring a fuel-saving stop and start system and an intelligent six-speed automatic transmission, its fuel economy is rated at 8.1 litres/100km.

RX 350 variants feature a 3.5-litre V6 with direct injection that develops 221kW and 370Nm and drives all four wheels via an eight-speed transmission.

The all-wheel-drive RX 450h hybrid combines a high-efficiency Atkinson Cycle version of the V6 engine with an electric motor to deliver combined system power of 230kW through a continuously variable automatic transmission.

2016 Lexus RX pricing

Options (Luxury grade):
Panoramic sliding roof – $3,500
Panoramic sliding roof, smart key card and colour head-up display – $4,500

Option (all grades):
Premium paint – $1,500