2019 Lexus RX facelift launched in Malaysia – three 2.0L turbo variants offered; priced from RM399,888

2019 Lexus RX facelift launched in Malaysia – three 2.0L turbo variants offered; priced from RM399,888

UPDATE: The new Lexus RX 2023 has been launched.

Lexus Malaysia has officially launched the new RX facelift in the country, which arrives a few months after the model was revealed globally back in May. The update sees some subtle revisions to the SUV’s design, as well as to the list of available equipment.

Our market gets the latest RX in three variants, starting with the RX300 Premium that is priced at RM399,888 on-the-road without insurance. Following this is the RX300 Luxury at RM424,888 as well as the RX300 F Sport at RM439,888, with all prices inclusive of a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty.

All variants are powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 235 hp from 4,800 to 5,600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. The mill is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive coming as standard.

While the powertrain is familiar, the RX’s dynamics have been improved, with new stabiliser bars that are not only hollow to save weight, but also thicker in diameter and feature reinforced bushings to reduce body roll and improve steering response.

The dampers have also been retuned to work with the stiffer roll bars, while upgraded dampers keep high frequency vibrations in check for a smoother ride – F Sport models come with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). Other measures include additional spot welds and adhesive use to stiffen the chassis, while the added active corner braking reduces understeer by braking the inner wheel.

Focusing on the exterior changes, the front end of the RX now features slimmer “triple eye” LED headlamps with boomerang-shaped LED DRLs flanking the brand’s signature spindle grille. Those headlamps also incorporate Lexus’ Adaptive Highbeam System (AHS) with BladeScan.

The bumpers have also been tweaked, with the one upfront having repositioned fog lamps that are now at the lower corners. At the rear, the LED taillights get new L-shaped graphics and sequential turn signals, while the lower apron sees slimmer chrome trim for the exhausts and a tweaked faux diffuser.

Models in F Sport guise have a more aggressive face with sizeable black “vents” above the fog lamps and a criss-cross grille mesh pattern, while the Premium and Luxury variants have slimmer bumper “inlets” and L-motif mesh. The base Premium and Luxury come with 20-inch alloy wheels in a Hyper Chrome Metallic design, while the F-Sport gets its own unique design to suit its sportier persona – all use 235/55 series tyres.

2019 Lexus RX facelift launched in Malaysia – three 2.0L turbo variants offered; priced from RM399,888

As for the interior, it remains largely similar to the pre-facelift model, with the biggest change being the addition of a 12.3-inch display screen on the dashboard of all variants except the base Premium that has an eight-inch unit instead. All variants get the Lexus Premium Audio infotainment system, which has the usual mix of connectivity functions as well as support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Another equipment update is the fitment of Lexus Safety System+ as standard for all RX variants. These include Pre-Collision System with Front Pre-Collision System (PCS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Keeping System and Adaptive High-Beam System (AHS).

The suite of safety and driver assistance systems is joined by 10 airbags, rear view camera, around view monitor (Luxury and F Sport only), Active Cornering Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDM; F Sport only), VSC, traction control, ABS, EBD, TPMS, hill start assist, blind spot monitor and rear-cross traffic alert.

For the Premium and Luxury, customers will get to choose from three semi-aniline leather upholstery options – Ocher, Black and Noble Brown – all paired with Shimamoku wood trim. The F Sport gets two options instead – Flare Red and Black – both with aluminium trim.

Additionally, the F Sport comes with eight-way powered front seats instead of the 10-way adjustable seats found in the remaining two variants. The 40:20:40 rear seats are power folding as well, although only the Luxury and F Sport models have a heating function for them. Also exclusive to the two variants is a hands-free opening function for the rear tailgate.

Other items present include dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, 12-speaker sound system, drive mode selector (Eco, Normal Sport for the Premium and Luxury; additional Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom for F Sport), manual rear side window sunshades, navigation function and wireless Qi charger – the last two items are exclusive to the Luxury and F Sport.

No shortage of exterior finishes either, as the RX is available in Sonic Titanium, Red Mica Crystal Shine, Graphite Black Gloss Flake and Deep Blue Mica for all variants. Meanwhile, the Premium and Luxury variants can also be had in Terrane Khaki Mica Metallic and Ice Ecru Mica Metallic – both new – along with previous offerings – Sonic Quartz and Amber Crystal Shine. The F Sport’s exclusive colours are White Nova Glass Flake and Heat Blue Contrast Layering.

Find full specifications of the Lexus RX facelift on CarBase.my.

2019 Lexus RX300 F Sport

2019 Lexus RX300 Luxury

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Alister_88 on Sep 10, 2019 at 8:42 pm

    Any word of the RX350/L V6 & RX450h/hL Hybrid’s availability on Malaysian soil? Will they also be available later down the road or have they been dropped for the 2019 update?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
    • Ex-A6 hybrid Owner on Sep 11, 2019 at 9:14 am

      Benz & Bmw got their hybrids.. more the merrier.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
      • Alister_88 on Sep 11, 2019 at 7:21 pm

        More variety is one that is always welcome (That, and better education. Too many misinformed opinions from grey importers during my last trip in KL when we asked about bringing in a JDM Hybrid car.).

        Toyota/ Lexus is the pioneer of hybrid tech and then there’s that Lexus customer service/ experience. Always love how we were treated as a customer compared to those Three Pointed Star dealerships. The Malaysian Lexus dealership experience is on another level!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • AutoFrenz (the original) on Sep 10, 2019 at 9:04 pm

    Omg…stunning

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
  • seancorr (Member) on Sep 10, 2019 at 9:33 pm

    While I absolutely love the exterior the interior is severely dated especially when compared to the newly launched ES.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Hong Yee Hong on Sep 10, 2019 at 9:35 pm

    How good is that if Toyota can put LEXUS’s turbo engine into Toyota’s line-up? I know it is unlikely to happen at this point of time, nor 5 years down the road, nor maybe 10 years…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • it is in the harrier what

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Harrier 2.0 turbo, sounds familiar to you?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • The Toyota Harrier already sharing the same engine and transmission. The Alphard 3.5 v6 id also using the same engine as the 350 badge of the Lexus.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Didi and friends on Sep 11, 2019 at 10:43 am

      Why wait. 5 years, nor maybe 10 years… down the road. Just get the ACURA’s turbo engine in Honda’s line-up. Civic, CRV, Accord tebo tuu….

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • They do, the same 2.0 turbo with 8 speed gearbox can be found in a crown athlete , u cn find some recon cars in mudah, power is sent to the rear wheels

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Toyota harrier got 2.0 turbo

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Kenneth fook on Sep 10, 2019 at 9:37 pm

    With that price, give me the glc 43.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 16
    • And smoke the RX300 for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus high tea and teh tarik time :)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
    • Kid, GLC 43 price is RM612.888

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
      • kenneth Fook on Sep 12, 2019 at 9:32 am

        Dude, what are you smoking? i wanna have some too. The glc ckd is priced at 470+k. Let me know yr dealer please. by that i dont meant the car but the thing you are smoking. Hopefully they dont cost as much as yr glc 43.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
        • GLC43 AMG Coupe 400k plus? Recond??? … Lol

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
        • Kenneth foon on Sep 13, 2019 at 11:10 am

          Hmmm. Dont remember mentioning anything about coupe. Is the rx a coupe? Hahaha. God damn lexus salesmen. Spend more time servicing yr client than replying on paultan dude. Umw needs yo.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
      • Dad, know what your kids talk bout first before correcting us.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Syafik on Sep 10, 2019 at 10:44 pm

    (Like) Lexus RX
    (Dislike) Volvo XC90

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 20
  • Le$$'Us on Sep 11, 2019 at 12:18 am

    UMW needs better product manager for product positioning. The Toyota Harrier 2.0T has panoramic moonroof but the RX300 has none. For the significant addition over the harrier by having 4WD, blind spots, some electric chairs and Lexus qualities but asking for 150k more and at 400k price tag it uses in house sound system The recon units will continie to sell without issue. For the way the industry brands tweak and re-tweak of equipment list, it shows they dont really know what the consumers want. Keep tweaking equipment list only damage resales value and kept the buyers at bay as they afraid to be the white rat for this flip flop decision making.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 2
  • why no 0-100 figure?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Bieight on Sep 11, 2019 at 9:18 am

    No 7 seater?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Guys, you don’t know anything until you owned one ☝️

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 5
  • the interior really doesnt look luxury at all. the wow and wuu mesmerising isnt there. the new camry interior look grander.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
  • vVivi Zurianti on Sep 12, 2019 at 9:08 am

    Use the money buy X70. With extra money to travel around the world, then come back to mod the X70. hihihih

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
  • dash is terribly outdated at this age lots of jap touch visible , give me the 2020 volvo xc60 t8 iam happy what am driving now.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
 

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