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.
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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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?
Benz & Bmw got their hybrids.. more the merrier.
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!
Omg…stunning
While I absolutely love the exterior the interior is severely dated especially when compared to the newly launched ES.
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…
it is in the harrier what
Harrier 2.0 turbo, sounds familiar to you?
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.
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….
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
Toyota harrier got 2.0 turbo
With that price, give me the glc 43.
And smoke the RX300 for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus high tea and teh tarik time :)
Kid, GLC 43 price is RM612.888
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.
GLC43 AMG Coupe 400k plus? Recond??? … Lol
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.
Excuse me, Lexus owner here..
Dad, know what your kids talk bout first before correcting us.
(Like) Lexus RX
(Dislike) Volvo XC90
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.
why no 0-100 figure?
No 7 seater?
Guys, you don’t know anything until you owned one ☝️
the interior really doesnt look luxury at all. the wow and wuu mesmerising isnt there. the new camry interior look grander.
Use the money buy X70. With extra money to travel around the world, then come back to mod the X70. hihihih
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.