The Lexus Rx is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV sold since 1998 Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. Originally released in the home market of Japan in late 1997 as Toyota Harrier, export sales began in March 1998 as Lexus Rx. Three generations Lexus Rx been produced until now, the first compact size, and the latter two classified as a mid-size. Both front and four-wheel drive configurations have been used on the series Rx, and a number of gasoline powertrain options, including the V6 engines and hybrid systems, has been made. In the Lexus model system, the Rx sits below the larger Lexus GX, Lexus LX body-on-frame SUVs, and more small Lexus NX crossover. The Lexus Rx represents Radiant Quarter. It has been called a “Recreation Cross Country” in other markets.

In 2005, a gasoline-electric version of the hybridized of the 3.3-liter model of the second generation is available as Lexus Rx 400h in export markets as well as Hybrid Harrier in Japan. For a copy of the current third published in 2009, both Lexus Rx 350 (3.5-liter V6) and Lexus Rx 450h (3.5 liter V6 hybrid) models originally offered, with Rx entry level 270 (2.7 liter inline-four) offered by Lexus in some markets -Asia, including Japan, since 2010. Since the release of the third generation, Japanese sales have occurred under the name Lexus Rx as compared to the Toyota Harrier, as was the case earlier.

Lexus Rx First Generation (XU10, 1997-2003)

The idea behind the concept of Lexus Rx, a crossover between a luxury sedan SUV began in the spring of 1993 when estimated by TMS and Toyota Motor managers. In 1994, the car was proposed by the TMS management and product planning meeting in Toyota City, Japan put into development. In December 1995, the final design administered under designer Makoto Oshima production was approved, and later prototypes into the test at the beginning of the end of 1997.

The Lexus Rx built on unibody chassis. Its exterior design was typical of the existing four-door cars at the time of its introduction. During the design features, the car featured triangular front quarter windows, the door-mounted side mirrors, a rear liftgate with a spoiler top-mounted, light and translucent front and rear covers with round lens. The exterior of the coding system was a two-tone, with the bumper and lower body-side cladding color gray. The Rx 300 oversaw a drag coefficient of 0,36 c. The first generation of Lexus Rx built in Kyushu, Japan.

The Lexus Rx 300 sold units than 370,000 in its five years on the market. Lexus Rx was successful in terms of sales, and became best-selling Lexus model soon after its introduction. Its popularity contributed to growth of premium crossover SUV market, and launch of a number of rival models competing in response to the Rx 300.

Lexus Rx Second Generation (XU30, 2003-2008)

In 1998, development began on the platform XU30 under the chief engineer Yukihiro Kane. By 1999, the design was started and will continue into late 2000 during the design they selected helmed by Hiroshi Suzuki. Early in 2001, the final production design was green-lighted by the board executive, with the first prototypes being tested in 2002 Design patents was appointed in October 2002 at the Japanese Patent Office and on April 21, 2003 at United States Patent and Trademark Office .

In North America, a series of Lexus Rx 330 sales began in March 2003 model year 2004. Here, the car badged Rx 330 is the larger 3.3 liter V6. The Rx 330 (MCU33 / MCU38) was powered by a 3.3-liter Lev certified 3MZ-FE V6, rated at 230 horsepower (170 kW) Sae and 238 pound-feet (323 N · m) linked to automatic 5-speed and given or front or all-wheel drive. New technology features include Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) and Swivel lamps, height-adjustable air suspension on the models all-wheel drive, Dynamic Laser Cruise Control system, and rain-receiving wipers. All models in the North American originally built in Japan until September 2003 when the release of Rx 330 began in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

In 2007 model year 2008, Rx received a revised grille, chrome door handles, appear in the new seven-spoke wheels 18-inch alloy with liquid graphite finish, and the Brandy Wine Mica or Desert Sage Metallic and made new decisions. Black Bird’s Eye Maple wood interior gray was a new option inside for that year.

Lexus Rx Third Generation (L10, 2008-present)

Lexus debuted the third-generation Lexus Rx in November 2008. The series L10 formed Japan and Canada, primarily for the North American models built in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. American Lexus Rx 350 sales began in February 2009 as 2010. For 2009, the front-wheel drive Lexus Rx 350 starts at US $ 36,800 and the all-wheel drive version starts at US $ 38.200. EPA-estimated fuel economy improvement in the city / highway / combined 18/25/21 mpg for the Transfer Rx 350 18/24/20 mpg for the model awd. The Rx 350 (GGL10 / GGL15) features a revised 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6 engine that produces 275 horsepower (205 kW) with a broad power curve, it remains Lev-II certified and now uses the automatic transmission and six-speed with sequential shift.

New cabin technologies include VoiceBox Technologies conversational speech voice recognition system, the first time in the US, which can recognize the commands of the world. The new hard disk drive HDD-based navigation system no longer uses the screen, but instead of the Lexus Remote Touch controller, similar to the work of a computer mouse, and Haptic feedback. Optional accessory features include XM Satellite Radio, 15-speaker system with 330-watt Mark Levinson Surround Sound audio, a dual-screen Rear Seat Entertainment System (RSES), 19-inch wheels, heated seats and the spirit of the front, power front seat cushion extender, perforated and smog sensor for the HVAC system, power folding side mirrors, and the navigation system semi-Aniline leather seats.

Lexus Rx 2012 (present)

A facelift was designed in late 2010 and patented on January 7, 2011 under the registration number of the design 001845801-0004. The facelift was unveiled at the March 2012 Geneva Motor Show with new wheels, interior colors, new head and tail lights and new grilles. New LED lights running through as well. The F Sport was introduced, with a honeycomb grille, eight-speed automatic transmission, and the unique sporty interior.

Several awards won by the third-generation Lexus Rx include AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Luxury crossover SUV, Kelley Blue Book Best Value resale Award for Luxury Utility Vehicle, and the residual Value Award for Near Luxury SUV from Automotive Lease Guide. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IHS) provide the Rx 350 of its Top Safety Pick accolade. In 2013, JD Power and Associates named Rx as the most dependable car in the US, it was the first time a SUV / crossover has ever been such a list.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash results give Rx 350 maximum five star rating in the Driver Frontal, Frontal Passenger, Side Driver, Rear and Side Passenger categories, four and five stars in the rollover. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the Lexus Rx 350 a Top Safety Pick receives a “Good” overall ratings for both frontal offset test and side crash, Lexus Rx and received ratings in all 14 categories measured “Good”. In 2014 , the North American Lexus Rx 350 gains new standard equipment such popular audio template package LED front fog lamps. Navigation equipped models get an upgraded 19-inch wheel finish and easy to use remote touch controller. The 2015 Lexus Rx F-Sport, model year is now an opportunity to Cabernet red interior.

Lexus RX 350 Sport Package