The 2023 Lexus RX. All photos: Lexus
The 2023 Lexus RX. All photos: Lexus
Assertive from the rear
Assertive from the rear
The RX shows its dark side
The RX shows its dark side
The most powerful of the new RX breed is blessed with 366hp
The most powerful of the new RX breed is blessed with 366hp
In the front
In the front
The vehicle is no blocky SUV
The vehicle is no blocky SUV
The RX's new touchscreen
The RX's new touchscreen
The RX at speed
The RX at speed
The RX's gearstick set up
The RX's gearstick set up
Turning on the power on tarmac
Turning on the power on tarmac
A look at the back
A look at the back
The RX at sunset
The RX at sunset
The new RXs maintain the brand's inclination to the tidier automotive look
The new RXs maintain the brand's inclination to the tidier automotive look

Lifestyle

Motoring

Lexus RX 2023: Manufacturer channels luxury crossover origins with three new options

Since 1998, the brand has spearheaded the car class. And it's back with a refined and leaner version

Simon Wilgress-Pipe
Simon Wilgress-Pipe

March 02, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

The Lexus RX 2023 has just beefed up the carmaker's presence in the UAE and fans of the brand have a choice of three powertrains, two of which are electric and sit as the manufacturer’s first turbocharged hybrid vehicles.

While the brand is already popular in the Middle East, it can claim further bragging rights when it comes to the origins of this model, as 1998's RX 300 is cited by many as the world’s first luxury crossover.

As for the 2023 version, the pure fossil fuel option, the 350, is powered by a newly developed inline 4-cylinder 2.4-litre turbocharged engine that produces 275hp and 430Nm of torque.

Meanwhile, the first of the new hybrid-electric systems, the 500h, combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with electric drive to produce 246hp.

That figure goes through the roof with the next fresh option, though — the RX500h F Sport Performance model is a 2.4-litre hybrid with a motor capable of generating 366hp.

All this helped, no doubt, by Lexus managing to shave 90kg off the car since its previous incarnation.

You wouldn’t expect a Lexus to be anything but tidy, and the new RXs are no exception.

The models, all with a lower centre of gravity than previous versions, have a refined air, incorporating the usual delicate, smooth lines, but they also retain an assertive and dynamic stance.

The 2023 Lexus RX. Photo: Lexus
The 2023 Lexus RX. Photo: Lexus

The LED headlights are horizontal and sleek, while the body and spindle grilles merge to create a seamless look from all angles.

The interior features Lexus’s Tazuna design, which focuses on direct but intuitive control, for the driver’s cockpit, something revealed for the first time in the brand’s LF-30 concept car.

Each model has been fitted with the latest version of the Lexus Safety System, and all-wheel drive comes as standard.

The new RXs are available for order now, with prices starting at Dh350,000.

See the Infiniti 2023 QX80 SUV — in pictures

The QX80 is now in its tenth year of production. All photos: Infiniti
The QX80 is now in its tenth year of production. All photos: Infiniti
Still big and bold
Still big and bold
Get inside, driver
Get inside, driver
Seats up...
Seats up...
Seats down
Seats down
Ready to roll
Ready to roll
Head on
Head on
Classic Infiniti stitching on the seats
Classic Infiniti stitching on the seats
The recognisable shape of the QX80 remains unchanged
The recognisable shape of the QX80 remains unchanged
The QX80 retains its classic centre dash
The QX80 retains its classic centre dash
Roomy in the rear
Roomy in the rear
The QX80 has been a popular choice in the Middle East since its launch
The QX80 has been a popular choice in the Middle East since its launch
Tomorrow 2021
While you're here
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Tomorrow 2021
While you're here
While you're here
Tomorrow 2021
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ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA

Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi

Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser

Rating: 4.5/5

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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
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  3. Keep an open mind
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Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MIDWAY

Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

On Women's Day
War and the virus
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Our commentary on Brexit
What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Updated: March 02, 2023, 10:09 AM`
SUVs