The previously standard, silky sounding Toyota-Lexus 3.5L, has been replaced by a 275 horsepower 2.4L turbo four. The base hybrid, the RX 350h, combines a normally-aspirated 2.5L four and electric motors to produce 246 total system horsepower. The top model, driven by the APA at the AJAC TestFest, is the RX 500h, with a 2.4L turbo four hybrid and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack that produces 367 total system horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. There is a PHEV variant marketed as the RX450h, powered by a 2.5L four and electric motors that produce 304 total system horsepower. While many drivers will miss the previous V6, the new 2.4L turbo four is surprisingly smooth and sounds enthusiastic but not intrusive when extended. Power is abundant and the RX 500h is fast. Unlike the RX 350h hybrid that employs a CVT, the RX 500h uses a six-speed automatic transmission. Secure handling combines with a delightfully compliant ride to make the RX 500h a great place to spend time in. Road noise is effectively suppressed but wind noise is higher than expected. What look like conventional exterior door handles are no longer mechanical door pulls, but fixed units that contain touch-sensitive electric releases. The doors release slowly and users get the impression that they are sticking. Once inside, the cabin is impressively luxurious with an attractive mix of premium materials. Drivers face a digital gauge package that is easy enough to scan but its graphics look downmarket in a vehicle this expensive. Graphics on the infotainment screen, especially the navigation display, are faint and lack the contrast needed to be easily scanned. Seating is very comfortable front and rear, and rear seat legroom is expansive. Cargo space is good and the 40/20/40 split rear seat adds versatility.

Lexus once again splits the RX model range into luxury and sport ranges. The base RX 350 Premium, (with the 2.4 L turbo four), with a sunroof, heated front seats and steering wheel, ventilated front seats, a memory system, three-zone climate control and a power tailgate, is very nicely equipped. Migrating up the the Luxury trim includes leather seating, multi-colour ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, wireless cell phone charging, a larger infotainment screen and heated and ventilated rear seats, but is significantly overpriced. The Ultra Luxury trim adds a head-up display system, a 360 degree camera system, adaptive headlights, brake hold, front cross traffic, foot-gesture tailgate operation and lane-change assist, but is overpriced. The top trim, the Executive, includes Semi-Aniline processed leather, power-fold rear seat, a Mark Levinson-branded audio system among other features, but is a bit expensive for what you get. Compared with the base Premium, the F Sport 1 has has sport-themed fascias, alloy pedals, genuine alloy cabin trim and a head-up display system, but is expensive. The F Sport 2 includes leather seating, wireless cellphone charging, ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, among other things, but is priced well beyond the value of the content. The F Sport 3 throws in a Mark Levinson-brand sound system, a 360 degree camera system and a lane-change system as well as a few minor items, at a price much higher than the value of the content.

Hybrid

The RX 350h hybrid is only offered in the luxury trims, which cost $1500 more than the 2.4 L turbo of the same trim. Compared with the normal turbo RX 350, the turbo and hybrid RX 500h is priced $11,500 higher than the conventional turbo of the same trim level.

Above average reliability is predicted for both the conventional and hybrid models. Unlike European-branded competitors, the RX can be bought for the long term rather than just leased for four years.