The RX is one of the best-selling models in Lexus, the other being the ES. RX stands for "Radiant Crossover", and the first generation of RX was born in 1998, when it was still the "Lexus" era; The second-generation RX was launched in 2003, and at the end of 2004, the world's first luxury SUV equipped with a hybrid - the RX 400h was released; In 2008, the third-generation RX was introduced, and in 2012 it was introduced with a new family design: a spindle-shaped front end, and in this generation the F Sport version was introduced. The current RX was launched in 2015 and is a fourth-generation model. Compared with the rugged style of the GX, in addition to the consistent perfect reliability, the RX inherits more of the humanistic driving style of Lexus.
 
The fourth-generation RX has three power specifications, 200t, 350 and 450h, 350 and 450h and F Sport version, but the more mainstream in China are 200t and 450h, and the 350 has a relatively small number of shares, which are only sold in Taiwan and Australia, not even in Japan. The 200t uses a 2.0t turbo engine codenamed 8AR-FTS, replacing the 1AR-FE used in the third-generation 270, this engine is used for the first time in the RX series, and has been used in both the NX and Highlander before, and has been widely praised for its 36.2% thermal efficiency and ride ride, wide torque platform and low torque attenuation. It's a bit of a pity that the RX200t is more than 100kg heavier than the NX200t, so the power performance is a little weaker. In addition, the production capacity of the engine restricts sales, and the RX200t, like the Highlander, needs to be picked up at a higher price.
 
The 450h uses a 3.5L V6 direct injection engine codenamed 2GR-FXS, which is a hybrid version of the 2GR-FKS on the RX350, and the 2GR-FXS compression ratio has been increased from 12.5:1 to 13:1 in the 2GR-FXE, which can be said to be one of Toyota's latest and best six-cylinder engines. As a hybrid model, the 450h uses the THS-II hybrid system, and the 450h sold in China uses the E-Four electrified four-wheel drive system, that is, the front axle is equipped with a 6JM electric motor (maximum power 167ps, maximum torque 335Nm), the rear axle is equipped with a 2FM electric motor (maximum power of 68ps, maximum torque of 139Nm), and the front-wheel drive model sold in Japan only has a 6JM electric motor on the front axle. The hybrid system achieved a fuel consumption test of 18.8 km/L (about 5.3 L/100 km) in the Japanese fuel consumption test (JC08 cycle), and it is not without reason that the sales of the 450h are so much higher than that of the 350.
 
RX200t is equipped with a 6-speed automatic manual transmission, which is not much different from the 350's eight-speed gearbox in daily driving, and it is still very smooth, but after stepping on the throttle deeply and pulling up the rpm, the vibration of gear shift can still be felt, and the fuel consumption of 200t can reach an average fuel consumption of 11.2L, which is really not very good. The 450h is equipped with an ECVT electronic continuously variable transmission, and the switch between the motor and the engine can be perceived, but the ride is much better than the 200t, and the power response is relatively fast in sports mode, and the sense of proportion is also very good, and the motor is used below 60 kilometers, which fills the regret of the low torque weakness of the 3.5L V6 engine.
 
The previous-generation RX has excellent roof pressure performance and consistently receives the highest rating in the IIHS, but the torsion coefficient of the body is only mid-range in its class. The frame of the fourth-generation RX is the same as that of the current Highlander, but compared to the same model of the previous generation, the chassis performance of this generation is much better, and after retuning, the RX is much better than the Highlander in terms of premium. In terms of suspension, the fourth-generation RX is a front MacPherson rear double wishbone, compared with the Q7's front and rear multi-links, it seems to be a little "insincere", but the new Q7 front suspension multi-link is actually improved from the double wishbones, which is officially called "multi-link". The RX uses softer springs than the previous generation and pays more attention to comfort, so even with a highly rigid body, the RX is destined to be just an urban luxury SUV, with the F-Sport model with AVS suspension and the top-of-the-line version, which can cope with light off-roading, and the task of deep off-road is still left to the GX.
 
Compared to its predecessor, the fourth-generation RX has a 10mm wider body and track, a 50mm longer wheelbase, a 120mm longer overall length, and a 20mm taller interior. The new centre console adds some extra storage space to the cabin, including a fresh smart cup holder that can be adjusted to the size of the cup at the front. Although the Lexus RX lumbar support adjustment function is limited to the top configuration, the ergonomic seat is enough to support you to complete long-distance driving, the rear space is very abundant, and the comfort of the seat is as "Lexus" as ever, while being soft and not collapsing like the old nature, compared with the stiffer seats of European cars, the seats of the RX are more like their own sofas.
 
The Lexus RX is built at a perfect level, and almost no part of the RX that has been in operation for ten years has not deteriorated, making it a one-and-done consumer choice. The safety of the Lexus RX is also textbook-level, and in the crash tests that have been visible in the IIHS over the years, the Lexus RX has scored "excellent" in all basic test items. The Lexus RX, which adds an active safety system, has been awarded the highest safety level in its class: TSP.
Lexus RX test report