Lexus adds F Sport and Sports Luxury RX 200t variants amid range-wide price hike

Lexus rounds off the RX 200t line-up with the introduction of the F Sport and Sports Luxury variants, while pushing prices up across the RX range.

For those who had their eye on Lexus' 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged and front-wheel drive RX 200t SUV, but wished it had a fancier frock than the base-spec 'Luxury', the luxury brand has delivered with the addition of F Sport and Sports Luxury grades.

The introduction of the new variants aligns the RX 200t offerings with the RX 350 and RX 450h range, both of which already come in the three grades.

Pricing for the new RX 200t F Sport starts at $86,840, whereas the RX 200t in the top-spec Sports Luxury trim comes in at $92,990, a $12,300 and $18,450 premium over the $74,540 RX 200t Luxury grade. The price premiums for the F Sport and Sports Luxury over the standard Luxury grade are similar on the RX 350 and RX 450h. Adding to that, Lexus has also increased the RX range's list pricing by a range of between $1,824 and $2,655.

Trimmed for sporty aesthetics, the F Sport trim garnishes the turbocharged SUV with LFA-style 8-inch digital instrumentation.

In its basic 'Luxury' spec the RX 200t features heated and ventilated front seats with 10-way powered adjustment and driver memory function, 8-inch multimedia system with satellite navigation paired to the Lexus Remote Touch controller, 12-speaker sound system, wireless charger for mobile devices, dual-zone climate control with Nanoe moisturiser, keyless entry and ignition, keyless sensors for all four doors, and hands-free tailgate operation.

Both the RX 200t's F Sport and Sports Luxury grade trims will add a panoramic moonroof, rear-side window sunshades, 12.3-inch multimedia display, adaptive suspension with 'Sport+' and 'Customise' drive modes, 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, and a head-up display, to that list of features.

'Luxury' spec buyers however can still opt to have it fitted with the panoramic moonroof, or panoramic moonroof and head-up display package, representing $3,500 and $4,500 options respectively.

Trimmed for sporty aesthetics, the F Sport trim garnishes the turbocharged SUV with LFA-style 8-inch digital instrumentation, sport-tuned electric-power steering system, F Sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, F Sport ornamentation and scuff plates, and F Sport front seats.

Meanwhile the range-topping Sports Luxury trim gets lavished with power folding and heated rear seats, laser-cut aluminium wood ornamentation, and 14-way power-adjustable luxury front seats.

As for safety and driver assistance systems, the RX 200t Luxury comes with radar-controlled Active Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Pre-Collision Safety System with Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Keeping Assist with Steering Assist, automatic high-beam, 10 airbags, vehicle stability control and traction control, and reverse camera with Rear Guide Assist.

In all three trims, the RX 200t comes with the same 2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 175kW and 350Nm of torque, and mated to a six-speed automatic.

While both F Sport and Sports Luxury trims add four-camera panoramic view monitor and Adaptive High-Beam System, the F Sport comes with the additional Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management that integrates the engine management, braking, and steering systems.

As for exterior appearances, the base 'Luxury' specification comes furnished with 20-inch 'Luxury' rims, Bi-LED headlights with LED front foglights and LED daytime running lights, and roof rails as standard. Whereas both F Sport and Luxury Grade trims brings their own individualised 20-inch 'F Sport' smoked rims or 'Sport Luxury' rims with titanium-coloured inserts, triple-stack LED headlights with LED cornering lights, sequential LED indicators, and a Smart Entry Key card. Only the F Sport goes a step further and garnishes the exterior with the F Sport front and rear body fixtures, mesh grille, and exterior mirrors.

In all three trims, the RX 200t comes with the same 2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 175kW and 350Nm of torque, and mated to a six-speed automatic. According to Lexus the RX 200t is able to achieve a rated fuel consumption figure of 8.1L/100km.

Would any of these new RX variants tempt you away from a European rival? Tell us what you think in the comments below.