Lexus RX (L20/L25) - 2020 facelift

The forefather of the luxury crossovers, the Lexus RX, currently on its fourth generation, has been updated for the 2020 model year and the recent minor change, starting less than 5.2 million Yen, saw some subtle changes to it. Let's uncover more about the recent minor change and see what's what.

2020 Lexus RX

2020 Lexus RX interior

Starting on the design, the latest minor change features a revised front design with "triple-eye" LED headlamps with boomerang-shaped LED DRLs, which incorporates the Adaptive Highbeam System with BladeScan, which is somewhat useful in nighttime driving, of course. Apart from the new lamps, the 2020 RX features a revised bumper, rear lamps with sequential turn signals that scare motorists aplenty like a Ford Mustang, and some revised undersides. On the inside, the display screen in the dashboard's bigger than they were last time and it features smartphone connectivity that works with your iPhone or Android phone, which is somewhat a handful for tech-savvy drivers. Of course, despite the revised dashboard, the RX is still offered as a five-seater for RX300 and RX450h models or a seven-seater for the RX450hL models.

The 2020 RX still retains the choice of either a  2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine for the RX300 or a 2GR-FXE petrol engine with two electric motors in all wheels for the RX450h. The 8AR-FTS engine develops a power output of 238PS, 350Nm of torque output, and when mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox, fuel economy is expected at 11.8km/L in the JC08 scale. The hybrid powertrain, meanwhile, has a fuel economy of 18.8km/L based on JC08 Mode standards.

In F-Sport variants, the ride and handling has been improved slightly thanks to the addition of NAVI AI-AVS (Adaptive Variable Steering) as well as improved suspension setup for better dynamics.

The 2020 RX ups the safety ante with the fitment of Lexus Safety System+ with Pre-Collision System with Front Pre-Collision System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Keeping System, and AHS. They're all standard in all models.

So, with more and more people are growing interests on luxury crossovers, the Lexus RX is the first thing that comes to their mind and with the recent minor change, it's hard to think numerous reasons why the RX will remain open for men in suits who are interested in luxury crossovers rather than luxury sedans but if there's one, it's perhaps this is the one to blame for the rise of luxury crossovers.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation