After announcing last week that order books are open, Lexus Malaysia has previewed its two new SUV models – the NX 300 and the new RX 350L.
Unveiled last month at the 2017 LA Auto Show, the Lexus RX L is, as its name suggests, a longer version of the current RX SUV. The sharp-edged crossover gets an additional 110 mm in rear overhang (wheelbase remains), a longer roof and a more upright rear screen, freeing up space for a third row of seats to make it seven in total. The result is a five-metre long car that’s only slightly shorter than the 5,052 mm Audi Q7.
The RX L’s rearmost seats fold 50:50 flat into the floor, while the second row does the same in a 40:20:40 split. US buyers can opt for a six-seat version with individual captain’s chairs in the middle and walk-through third-row access, but we get the more flexible seven-seat option. The third row gets its own AC controls and cupholders.
Like the tailgate, the rearmost seats power fold, and buttons for that are located at the wall of the boot and just behind the second row seats as you open the rear doors. Lexus claims that the RX L offers more luggage space behind the third row than its rivals, and when those are folded, the bigger boot can take in four golf bags.
We will be getting the “long RX” as an RX 350L Luxury, powered by a 3.5 litre V6 with 289 hp/358 Nm and an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Drive goes to both axles via Lexus’ Active Torque Control AWD system that can vary torque anywhere from 100:0 to 50:50, depending on conditions.
The kit list is a mixture of what’s available in various RX trim levels – 20-inch wheels, LED headlamps, LED foglamps with cornering function, moonroof, smart card key, powered hatch, wood trim, 12.3-inch screen, navigation, wireless charger and semi-aniline leather are all standard, among other things. No Mark Levinson audio, head up display, shift paddles and adaptive suspension, though.
The CBU import from Japan is priced at RM475,000 on the road excluding insurance, which is just slightly more than the sleeker (and sexier) five-seater RX 350 Luxury at RM457,800.
As for the Lexus NX 300, it is the NX 200t in latest facelifted form, unveiled at last year’s Shanghai show. It continues to be powered by a 2.0 litre turbo engine with 235 hp, while the NX 300h is a hybrid combining a 2.5 litre NA petrol engine with two electric motors. The 2018 NX will come in four variants – Urban, Premium, F Sport and Hybrid – priced from RM311,900 to RM397,800.
The Urban is a new entry level trim that replaces last year’s Special Edition, while the Premium has an RM11k lower price tag. The Urban and F Sport get full panoramic glass roofs, while the Premium gains a moonroof. The Hybrid has a regular roof with no skylight. There’s a new eight-inch Lexus Display Audio unit for all variants except for the F Sport and Hybrid, which both get a 10.3-inch display with Mark Levinson audio.
The smallest Lexus SUV gets a revised face with changes to the spindle grille, front bumpers and rear bumpers; the latter is now made to look wider and incorporates elements of the brand’s signature spindle motif. The triple projector LED headlamps are now arranged LC 500-style, and are distinctive as the trademark Lexus ‘tick’ LED daytime running lights below them. New rim designs, too.
Inside, the cabin gets new trim and the remote interface touchpad has been redesigned and enlarged by 30% for easier use.
Lexus says that with this update, the NX’s springs, stabiliser bars and bushings have been retuned to improve both turn-in response and steady-state cornering, while new dampers improve ride quality. On the F Sport, the Adaptive Variable Suspension now has 650 auto levels instead of 30 in the pre-facelift.
Order books for both the RX 350L and the NX 300 range are now open, and the cars will be officially launched in early February. Official Lexus Malaysia cars come with a five-year unlimited mileage factory warranty, and hybrid models also get an eight-year warranty for the hybrid battery.
GALLERY: 2018 Lexus NX 300 Premium
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Why doesn’t it come with Lexus Safety System when even the Harrier does…
ni thank to expensive lexus. Go for harrier 200t. Hihi.
too expensive. UMW smoking what??
Get govt to reduce prices 30%.
Wow stunning…both will sell like hot cake…beauty and quality…an excellent package
OMG Look at the RX price. Nearly Rm500k. Something must be wrong with Malaysia or the Ringgit. This RX is so affordable in overseas.
But in Malaysia, it is a price of a house. How can it be this price when the ringgit has appreciated so much.
Last time 4.4. Now 3.9. But yet, UMW keeps increasing the price of the RX higher and higher.
Greedy UMW. Gomen say want to reduce car prices but their own fully owned GLC hantam the rakyat with such crazy prices
7seater SUV perfectly suited to the lifestyle of a typical Malaysian family of 7. Luxury Lexus right place, right time in this high income nation.
That’s why u don’t see many on the road while the X5 40e can be seen everywhere now.
That’s why RV of BMW X5 is free falling. King of Depreciation
Seems like Lexus RV is so high. Are they?
Why volvo can gip cheaper price? Ringgit weak is it?
The Lexus is just a mere glorified Toyota. Open the car up and you see every single panel has the words “Made by Toyota”
Yet, Lexus Malaysia is pricing their cars to Mercedes and BMW levels. Infact, not even normal Mercedes, they are pricing it close to the S class even.
How much you know about Lexus? In some countries, BM amd Merc is no where compare to Lexus. In fact Lexus is more expensive than BM and Merc. If you drive a BM or Merc, no one give a damn. But if you drive Lexus, you are indeed somebody. So do not see Lexus from the eye glass of Malaysian mentality.
you are right but in those countries the RX350 is only US40k. Here RM450k
That is why berlambak there
You hit the nail right on the head.
The current Harrier is on a different platform from the RX. They used to share, but now no more. Even the new LS (and future GS) will use a Lexus only platform.
By that same logic, Audis and Posh are glorified VW? I am sure if you have owned any of these before you find parts and platform sharing
Malaysians tend to have a silly mentality thinking that Lexus vehicles are mere Toyotas. I very much agree with @flipper2uman that one who owns (or have previously owned) an Audi or a Porsche would tell you that platform sharing or the presence of VW parts dont mean sh’t whatsoever.
You open the tyre repair kit from the hood of the Porsche 911, and guess what? It’s got VW badge on it.
after 5 years of ownership, you be very happy components are made by toyota as they would never break. try that on a german car, not only you suffer the depreciation but keeping those cars running would be a nightmare.
Lexus RX 350L RM275,000 Langkawi price
(Like) Lexus NX 200t.
(Dislike) Volvo XC60
Always see volvo fanboys trying hard at every post. Lexus is one or two level more luxury than Volvo and please do a right comparison.
Nope, Lexus should be one to three level below Volvo FYI .
It is more in the Toyota and Honda level. The judgement and comparison is right to say but yours is wrongly placed.
Really want Lexus to do well – their reliability is fantastic. But the price even though you can afford it, is a bit of a turn-off when the Germans are lower priced. Who in their right mind will pay RM400K for a hybrid small SUV, when you can get a bigger 2017 X5 Hybrid for cheaper?
The upcoming CBU BMW X2 will cost RM320k. The base NX is only RM312k. But the F Sport NX is RM388k.That’s such a huge difference from base to F Sport trim. Rm389k can buy one a CKD 530i. Kinda makes one wonder, why anybody would buy a CBU car.
Why the selling prices are higher in Sabah & Sarawak ??
Becoz higher roadtax.
U mean higher RoadTax in Semenanjung Bcos the roads in S&S are worst than Semenanjung ?!
I don’t understand why Lexus in malaysia don’t have sharkfin antenna???I can’t be the only one bothered here.. = =a
why do u need a sharkfin antenna (like Ah beng vios) while Lexus already incorporate it inside their car?
NICE BUT NOT FOR ME.