7 Problems With The 2023 Lexus RX That You Must Know About NOW!

The Lexus RX has long remained a great choice for buyers in the market looking for a well-appointed luxury SUV, especially one focused more on comfort than performance. But as the RX model from Lexus is generally regarded as a reliable SUV, it’s far from perfect, and car experts have pointed out features that should be noted. Keep watching this video to find out what they are…

Missing the V-6

With the sweet V-6 engine no longer available, the available hybrid powertrain is now your best option in the 2023 RX engine lineup. Combining a 2.5-liter gas engine with an electric motor for a system total of 246 horsepower, the hybrid feels notably more responsive than the base turbo four-cylinder, and is nearly as quick. Better still is an estimated improvement in combined fuel economy of 12 mpg compared to the base engine.

The world is changing, so we understand the logic behind Lexus joining its competitors in going for a greener turbo four-cylinder engine in place of the old V-6 for better fuel economy and lower emissions. In this case, however, the switch takes away one of the best qualities about the RX, replacing a smooth, refined powertrain with a coarse-sounding turbo 2.4-liter four-cylinder. What’s worse is that the power delivery is inconsistent, with noticeable acceleration lag, unlike the more linear delivery experienced from previous V6 models..

Ride Stability

Being a bigger SUV, the body roll is noticeable but not alarming. It’s never going to ride like a McLaren or Lotus, but you will feel some bouncing on the offset ups and downs, but at the same time not enough to feel queasy. Its softness carries over to the brakes, which seem to have a spongy pedal with lots of travel. It certainly doesn't encourage sporty driving like a BMW X5 does, and it feels heavy and ponderous by comparison.

Fuel Economy Hasn’t Improved Much…

The front-wheel-drive of the all new 2023 Lexus RX is estimated to return 25 mpg in the city as well as highway driving along with 24 mpg with all-wheel drive. Now that's an improvement of 1 mpg over last year's V6. The RX 350h hybrid will see much more significant gains and is said to be at 36 mpg combined, which is an improvement of 6 mpg from its predecessor and it is most likely the most fuel-efficient midsize SUV on the market for 2023. But not all the data is in yet. Also, the RX 500h is rated at a very respectable 27 mpg combined.

While the new four-cylinder does save fuel compared to the old V-6, it’s not all that much. The 1 or 2 mpg increase in combined fuel economy is certainly welcomed overall, but is the small difference worth the loss of the V6 engine? It’s likely many Lexus buyers would think not.

Aggressive Driver Monitoring

The 2023 RX features the new Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite. This includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, motorcycle detection, and intersection support. It also has lane departure alert with steering assist and all-speed adaptive cruise control with curve speed management. The available Advanced Park feature on the 2023 Lexus RX provides automated assistance with parallel parking, backup parking, and forward-facing parking.

The available driver monitor system is designed to make sure drivers stay alert and sound an alarm if it detects behavior that could indicate trouble. It’s a great feature on paper, but many car experts found the one featured in the 2023 Lexus RX to be overly aggressive, beeping and sounding alerts even when we were alert and paying attention. This could certainly detract from the peaceful driving experience that Lexus are known to offer.

Interior Issues

The old RX's interior was nice enough, but some materials needed to match the quality of others. The redesigned model makes the overall quality more consistent, and everything you see and touch has an upscale feel. A nice detail in the new cabin is available suede door panel inserts, which create a unique look and are standard on upper trims.

A longer wheelbase is said to make for a roomier cabin, but that might depend on who you ask and how the RX is equipped. The redesign slightly lowers overall height, combined with an available panoramic moonroof that can intrude on headroom for rear-seat passengers. Taller folks in the back might find they have to recline the seat backs to avoid making contact with the roof.

Moreover, loading a car seat into the second row of the RX should be easy thanks to easily reachable anchor points and the individually reclining rear seatbacks, but its not. The door pockets, front and rear, are large but aren't lined with felt, and so smaller items rattle around.

Overall, the Lexus RX is a brilliant car.

Learn more about what makes it such a great SUV:    • Top 10 Reasons To Buy The NEW Lexus R...  

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