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EXPERT RATING
9.0

Likes

  • Impressive real-world economy and low emissions
  • Easy and enjoyable to drive
  • Looks and feels premium – even for a base vehicle

Dislikes

  • Cheapest RX is now $15,000 more expensive than before
  • Smartphone charger should be standard at this price point
  • Fiddly capacitive touch buttons on steering wheel spokes
Byron Mathioudakis
Contributing Journalist
11 Feb 2023
3 min read

The predicted most popular version of the all-new, fifth-generation RX series will be the 350h hybrid, and why not. It's the entry point so most accessible, offers outstanding fuel economy and is pretty lively to boot.

Priced from $87,500 before on-road costs, the base Luxury 2WD is the only front-wheel drive RX on offer, and combines an engine and electric motor up front. A second electric motor on the back axle turns it into AWD for $4500 more. That's known as the e-Four system.

Standard features include LED headlights, electric and heated front seats, keyless entry and start, electric door handles, synthetic leather trim, three-zone climate control, a 14-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, DAB+ digital radio, Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, 'Hey, Lexus' voice control, six USB ports, 40:20:40 split rear seats with auto fold, electrically adjustable steering column, a powered tailgate, roof rails and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Stepping up to the Sport Luxury brings bi-LED three-projector headlights with auto high beams and washers.
Stepping up to the Sport Luxury brings bi-LED three-projector headlights with auto high beams and washers.

Stepping up to the Sport Luxury brings bi-LED three-projector headlights with auto high beams and washers, 360-degree surround view monitor, variable suspension damping for a comfier ride, a head-up display, heated/vented front seats, more salubrious leather, extra fancy front seats, 21-speaker premium audio, wireless smartphone charger, power reclining/folding rear seats with heating/ventilation, uprated brakes, kick sensors for that powered tailgate, rear sunshades, ambient lighting and 21-inch alloys.

On the safety front, you'll find Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise-control with full stop/go capability, road sign recognition, front/rear cross-traffic alert, reverse parking cameras, all-round parking sensors, tyre pressure monitors, Intersection Turn Assist (ITA – providing early brake activation if required), Emergency Steering Assist (ESA – extra steering assistance to help keep the vehicle in its lane) and a digital rear-view camera mirror.

Under the bonnet is a 2.5L petrol atmo engine and CVT automatic.
Under the bonnet is a 2.5L petrol atmo engine and CVT automatic.

These come on top of eight airbags (including dual-front occupant knees and a centre item to stop lateral head strikes), anti-lock brakes with brake-assist and electronic brake-force distribution, stability and traction control systems, three rear-seat child-seat tether anchorages and two ISOFIX latches.

You also score Lexus Connected Services with – among other features – an SOS button or automatic emergency services notification with vehicle co-ordinates should the driver be incapacitated following an accident, as well as Safe Exit Assist – which won't allow doors to open if passing cyclists or pedestrians are in danger of being struck.

It comes with 14-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, DAB+ digital radio, Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay.
It comes with 14-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, DAB+ digital radio, Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay.

Under the bonnet is a 2.5L petrol atmo engine and CVT automatic, mated to either a single front-mounted electric motor to drive the front wheels in the 2WD, or a second rear-axle sited electric motor, bringing all-wheel drive.

Using the NEDC fuel-consumption figures (the only ones available at launch for Australia), the 350h should average just 5.0L in the 2WD and 5.4L for the AWD version. The corresponding carbon dioxide ratings are 114g/km (RX 350h 2WD) and 123g/km (350h AWD), while – in theory – the former can average up to 1300km between refills while the latter might achieve 1200km.

Read the full 2023 Lexus RX350H review

Lexus RX350H 2023: Sports Luxury AWD + EP2 Hybrid

Engine Type Inline 4, 2.5L
Fuel Type Premium Unleaded/Electric
Fuel Efficiency 5.4L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $99,110 - $113,960
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$96,072
Based on 53 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$74,990
HIGHEST PRICE
$118,888
Byron Mathioudakis
Contributing Journalist
Byron started his motoring journalism career when he joined John Mellor in 1997 before becoming a freelance motoring writer two years later. He wrote for several motoring publications and was ABC Youth radio Triple J's "all things automotive" correspondent from 2001 to 2003. He rejoined John Mellor in early 2003 and has been with GoAutoMedia as a senior product and industry journalist ever since. With an eye for detail and a vast knowledge base of both new and used cars Byron lives and breathes motoring. His encyclopedic knowledge of cars was acquired from childhood by reading just about every issue of every car magazine ever to hit a newsstand in Australia. The child Byron was the consummate car spotter, devoured and collected anything written about cars that he could lay his hands on and by nine had driven more imaginary miles at the wheel of the family Ford Falcon in the driveway at home than many people drive in a lifetime. The teenage Byron filled in the agonising years leading up to getting his driver's license by reading the words of the leading motoring editors of the country and learning what they look for in a car and how to write it. In short, Byron loves cars and knows pretty much all there is to know about every vehicle released during his lifetime as well as most of the ones that were around before then.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$74,990
Lowest price, based on third party pricing data.
For more information on
2023 Lexus RX350H
See Pricing & Specs

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