Lexus RX 7-seater arrives in Oz

Lexus has added a long-awaited seven-seater variant to its volume selling RX SUV family, with the RX350L and RX450hL now rolling into local showrooms.

Both powertrains will be offered in entry level Luxury or high-spec Sports Luxury grades, with the former attracting a $3300 premium over the equivalent 5 seater RX model. The step-up to seven-seat status costs less in the Sports Luxury variant, with those models carrying a premium of just $1600.

There are no F Sport variants for the seven seat RX L, nor is there a four-cylinder option - V6 petrol or V6 petrol/electric only.

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A longer rear overhang, 110mm more overall length, 10mm greater height and unique sheetmetal from the B-pillar back mark the seven seat ‘L’ models apart from their five seat siblings. There are other external differences too, such as a small moonroof replacing the panoramic glass roof of specced-up 5 seaters, and a more steeply-raked tailgate.

Inside, the front-of-house should be familiar to current RX owners. An 8.0-inch infotainment display is the centrepiece in Luxury grades, while the Sports Luxury flaunts a much larger 12.3-inch panoramic display.

Specification levels mostly align with the five seater models, meaning satellite navigation, leather upholstery, 20-inch alloys, 10-way adjustable power front seats (which are also heated and ventilated) and LED headlamps are all standard-issue.

A $3500 option pack brings a colour head-up display, moonroof and keycard entry/ignition system to the base Luxury grade, features that are standard on the Sports Luxury. Sports Luxury buyers also gain adaptive suspension, a 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and 14-way power adjustable front seats.

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The differences between five- and seven-seater are more pronounced from the second row back. The sliding second row now traverses 45mm further forward to ease access to the third row, and is also positioned higher to improve third row foot room. That said, the second row loses the five seater’s power adjustment feature in the process.

The 50/50 split third row itself features a power folding mechanism, and is equipped with child seat anchorages. Those in the rearmost seats also have their own ventilation controls, with all RX L variants receiving tri-zone climate control as standard. A pair of cupholders is also provided, and Lexus claims the third row should be comfortable enough for people up to 160cm tall. However, to improve durability on the frequently folding third row, those seats are upholstered in synthetic rather than the genuine leather used on the other pews.

With the third row stowed, the RX L offers 432 litres of cargo space. Seats up, that falls to 176 litres – a figure Lexus says is still sufficient for a large pram.

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Safety wise, the RX’s AEB system can now detect pedestrians as well as vehicles, while the curtain airbags have also been extended to cover the L’s third row. In all, the RX L sports 10 airbags around its cabin.

Powertrains undergo few changes, though space constraints see the RX350L sport a single- rather than dual-exit exhaust, with peak outputs dropping slightly to 216kW/358Nm as a result.

The RX450hL hybrid generates 230kW, meanwhile, but goes without fuel-saving plug in hybrid capability. Claimed fuel consumption for both powertrains is slightly higher due to the seven seater’s extra mass, with the RX350L consuming 10.2L/100km and the RX450hL drinking 6.0L on average.

PRICING

The 2018 Lexus RX seven seat range is now on sale, with pricing as follows:

• Lexus RX350L Luxury - $84,70
• Lexus RX450hL Luxury - $93,440
• Lexus RX350L Sports Luxury - $101,500
• Lexus RX450hL Sports Luxury - $110,240