2018 Lexus RX L on sale in Australia

After being revealed in November 2017, the seven-seat 2018 Lexus RX L is now on sale in Australia, priced from $84,700 plus on-road costs. Offering versatility and practicality like no other RX model before it, the RX L is priced $3,300 above equivalent five-seat RX models.

The 2018 Lexus RX L gives Lexus Australia their first seven-seat offering in the large SUV segment ever, and competes directly with the Volvo XC90, Audi Q7 and seven-seat variants of the BMW X5. Like the regular RX, both the V6-powered RX350 and hybrid RX450h variants are offered, whilst the RX200t is limited to the five-seat model only.

Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson said the third-row seats o ffer the comfort and luxury expected in a large luxury SUV.

“The new RX ‘L’ models will be welcomed by modern families and other customers who require the luxury of space and flexibility provided by seven seats,” Mr Thompson said.

“The option of a third row of seats offers Lexus drivers even greater practicality, convenience and roominess while maintaining the sleek styling and easy manoeuvrability they have always valued,” he said.

To create the 2018 Lexus RX L, Lexus engineers had to make changes to the five-seat model to ready it for the transition to the seven-seat model. Lexus stretched the current generation RX by 110mm, raised the car’s roof by 10mm and gave the rear a steeper tailgate angle to accommodate two extra seats. They also raised the middle seats higher to provide more legroom for third row occupants, and added a new tri-zone climate control system to keep all occupants comfortable.

The third row itself is capable of seating a child seat, and also provides cup holders for occupants. The middle seat moves forward by pulling a tab for easy access to the third row, and touching a button folds both rear seats into the floor. Lexus claims that the RX L offers the most cargo room in its class behind the third row, with up to 566mm of length – enough for a large stroller, according to the company. With the rear seats folded, 432-litres of space is available – only 21-litres less than the five-seat model.

Yet aside from the addition of extra length and seats, the Lexus RX L is identical to the standard RX. Both V6 powerplants will be offered in Australia – the 216kW 3.5-litre petrol V6 RX350L and 230kW RX450hL, with the 175kW RX200t remaining a five-seat only proposition. Lexus claims that despite the added seats and length, fuel economy remains close to the five-seat models – 6.0L/100km for the RX450hL and 10.2L/100km for the RX350L. Both the RX350L and RX450hL are all-wheel drive.

RX L models sit $3,300 above their five-seat equivalents, and are largely equipped the same. Base Luxury models include 20-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting including headlights, daytime running lights and foglights, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with 10-way electric adjustment and driver’s memory settings, an 8.0-inch infotainment system with inbuilt satellite navigation, a 12-speaker sound system, keyless entry and start, roof rails and rear privacy glass.

An optional enhancement package can be ticked on Luxury models, which includes a colour heads-up display, electric moonroof and Lexus’ key card for $3,500.

These items are equipped as standard on the upper spec Sports Luxury, as are adaptive suspension, 14-way power adjustable front seats, a 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, a 12.3-inch infotainment system and a 360-degree parking camera.

All RX L models are equipped with Lexus’ Lexus Safety Shield+ active safety equipment, which includes autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, all-speed radar cruise control, lane keep assist and automatic high beam headlights (adaptive on Sports Luxury models). 10 airbags, a reversing camera and tyre pressure monitoring are also included.

2018 Lexus RX L pricing (plus on-road costs):
RX350L Luxury – $84,700
RX350L Sports Luxury – $101,500
RX450hL Luxury – $93,440
RX450hL Sports Luxury – $110,240

Options:
Premium paint – $1,500
Enhancement Package 1 – $3,600