Lexus has unveiled the new 2020 RX luxury SUV in the Philippine market, revealing evolutionary changes to the brand’s core model, which helped establish the luxury SUV segment when it was first introduced in 1998.
The new RX is a testament to Lexus’ ongoing commitment to maintain its status as a pioneer of the luxury SUV segment. Lexus has been dominating the SUV segment in the Philippines, consistently holding the highest market share since 2015. In fact, Lexus closed the first half of the year at the top, with a share of 28%. Moreover, the RX remains the best-selling model in the brand’s line-up, being not just the most popular SUV, but also the most successful vehicle based on historical sales. As of June 2019, the RX has 1,413 thousand units sold since it was first introduced locally in 2009. With the launch of the latest iteration of the RX, Lexus hopes to fortify its leadership in the Commercial Vehicle segment.
The 2020 RX exterior retains a powerful and sporty appearance, while the character line that runs from the front of the vehicle to the rear has been improved, giving the RX’s overall appearance exceptional flow and consistency. The result is an elegant, dynamic exterior that emphasizes Lexus’ new design language.
In terms of the RX’s driving character, it embraces Lexus’ exhilarating performance following the path of LC and LS flagship coupe and sedan, as the engineers scrutinized every part of the vehicle, and made enhancements to the rigidity of the body and suspension system, as well as adding a new shock absorber and brake control system. The result is a vehicle with an excellent handling feel and precision, allowing users to accurately trace their desired driving lines.
Main Features of the New RX
ï‚· Introduction of the all-new RXL variant that offers unique versatility without compromise
o Changes to suit your needs, whether you require comfortable third row seats for extra passengers, or a spacious luggage compartment.
o Second row seats slide forward to provide ample leg room when the third row seats are occupied.
o Power folding 50/50 split third row seats fold away independently, providing extra luggage space to accommodate changing passenger and luggage configurations.
o A flat, gap-free luggage space, regardless of whether the third row seats are in use or stowed.
o Tonneau cover stored under the luggage space floor to provide ample legroom for luggage, even when carrying seven people. o Split seatback design for both the second and the third row seats to enable different luggage configurations.
o Power folding third row seats are controlled by switches in the passenger side trim of the second row seats, and in the left side of the luggage space.
ï‚· An elegant, dynamic exterior, combined with a highly functional interior
Exterior
o Newly sculpted front and rear bumper designs achieve a flowing integration of character lines from front to rear, elevating the RX’s dynamic appearance.
o Connecting the rocker panels to the bottom of the grille in a straight line delivers a feeling of heightened strength and stability.
o Designers linked the lower bumper with the rear fenders, which blend with the window graphic on the bottom section of the rear pillar, lending a distinctively elegant and powerful shape to the rear. Furthermore, by presenting components such as the muffler and the underbody shield to accentuate the vehicle’s width, the designers were able to provide the RX with a sporty, aggressive rear.
o The signature Lexus spindle grille adds modulation to the ‘L’ pattern mesh and a new frame that blends into the side of the front bumpers providing a unified profile.
o News lender headlamps give the front fascia a newfound sharpness. In the rear, combination lamps feature an “L” shape motif.
o The third-row seats now feature two different seating positions. In addition to the traditional seating position, even more leg space can be had with the new setting when the situation demands it.
ï‚· Enhanced stability and linear steering feel with the RX’s signature ride comfort o Oneofthebiggestchangesto2020RXisthesignificantenhancementsthatcontributetodriving
pleasure resulting from changes to the suspension and increased body rigidity. Lexus Chief Engineer Takeaki Kato was determined to deliver pleasurable driving experience through agile handling and exhilarating driving pleasure, and his engineering team worked closely with the production team to achieve this goal.
o Laser Screw Welding(LSW) and spot welding have been extensively employed throughout the vehicle, along with the increased use of high-strength adhesives (4.2 meters of strategically placed adhesive). In combination with the stiffening of stabilizer bars (now hollow and 1mm wider) and enhanced hub rigidity, the result is a more immediate response to steering inputs.
o The new RX features Active Cornering Assist(ACA) that suppresses understeer when stepping on the throttle in mid-corner, as well as dramatic improvements in the tuning of the EPS, all of which result in a truly linear steering feel, allowing the RX to accurately trace the desired driving line in all types of conditions.
ï‚· Connectivity technology adds Apple CarPlay*1, Android Auto*2, as well as touchscreen and touchpad options o The 2020 RX features a new touch-display screen in addition to the Lexus-original remote touch interface
o Smartphone usage is incorporated into the design with a new phone holder and USB port, plus connectivity to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto.
