2020 Lexus RX to gain sharper looks, more tech

Lexus has revealed its heavily refreshed 2020 RX and RX L ahead of an Australian launch currently slated for towards the end of 2019, with the revised model gaining a new look and a stack of additional technology.

On the outside, the RX’s sheet metal has been given some subtle tweaks to incorporate revised character lines, while there are also new front and rear bumper designs.

Complimenting the new looks are new variant-dependent 18 and 20-inch alloy wheel designs, a range of new colour options, and new headlights – with new and more accurate blade-scan technology for the automatic high-beam function – and taillights that incorporate the L motif of Lexus’ logo.

It’s on the technology front that the big changes come, however, as a host of previously absent driver assistance and safety technology has now been added, including lane tracing assist and road sign assist, along with the aforementioned auto high-beam system.

Furthermore, in a first for Lexus, the revised RX will finally offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as a part of its standard infotainment system. Those miffed by the fiddly Remote Touchpad controller will still have to contend with that as the only means of controlling the infotainment system, however.

Also on the inside, the third row of seats in L-badged models will now offer two different positions to hopefully better cater for occupants who are longer in the leg and relegated to the rearmost seats.

Under the skin, the RX’s drivetrain options will all remain unchanged for 2020, meaning a 2.0-litre turbo four-pot for the RX 300, a 3.5-litre V6 for the RX 350, and the same V6 with a hybrid system tacked on in the RX 450h.

Some minor tweaks have been made elsewhere to improve the drive of the revised RX, though, including the fitment of new shock absorbers, thicker and more rigid sway bars, and a more extensive use of high-strength adhesive to bond its unibody together.

Pricing and full Australian specifications are still yet to be announced, so you can expect more details closer to the 2020 RX’s launch sometime in the fourth quarter of this year.