2027 Lexus RX: What’s New And Is It Worth Buying?

The Lexus RX is a two-row mid-size luxury crossover that has been glued to the top of my "recommended" list for more than 25 years because it checks off every box on a luxury SUV buyer's shopping list—comfortable passenger cabin, useful technology, innovative safety equipment, and a long list of safety features. It's a wonderful daily driver that makes commuting less stressful.

The "RX" debuted for the 1999 model year—decades ago—as the Lexus RX 300 (sharing its platform with the Toyota Camry and Lexus ES 300 sedan). At its introduction, the RX 300 came with a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V6 rated at 220 horsepower. Today's RX, offered as the RX 350, hybrid RX 350h, and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) RX 450h+, is significantly more advanced and efficient than its predecessors. That said, the RX lineup is mostly a carryover for 2027. That's not an issue—its happy customers aren't seeking reinvention.

What's new for 2027?

The list isn't long. New for 2027 are optional red front and rear brake calipers for the F SPORT Handling and F SPORT Performance grades. Last year's RX 350 models in those grades came with 6-piston aluminum front calipers and 15.74-inch front rotors. Last year's calipers were painted black, but an optional Appearance Package let you paint them orange. This year, they can be optioned in red. (Regardless of the hue, it's entirely cosmetic, as the robust braking system is unchanged.)

Lexus RX model breakdown

The RX 350 is the gasoline model, fitted with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder rated at 275 horsepower. It is sold in Premium, F SPORT Design, Premium+, F SPORT Handling, and Luxury trims. The RX 350 is offered with FWD or AWD, except for the F SPORT Handling trim, which is only offered in AWD. Base prices of the Lexus RX 350 start at about $55,000 and top out around $65,000.

The RX 350h is a conventional gasoline-electric hybrid. It has a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with electric assist, rated at a combined 246 horsepower. Trim levels include Premium, F SPORT Design, Premium+, and Luxury—all trims arrive with standard AWD. The RX 350h starts at around $58,000 and tops out just above $66,000.

The RX 450h+ is a gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid (PHEV). It shares the same basic powertrain as the hybrid model—a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with an electric motor—but adds a rechargeable lithium-ion battery to provide an EPA-estimated 38 miles of electric-only range. Total system power jumps to 304 horsepower. Like the hybrid, AWD is standard on the 450h+, which starts around $66,000 and tops out just over $73,000.

The range-topping RX 500h F SPORT Performance is a stand-alone hybrid model with AWD. Under the hood is the turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, assisted by an electric motor to develop 366 total system horsepower. It starts at about $69,000.

Standard safety technology

Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 is standard on all 2027 Lexus RX models. Equipment includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assistance, lane-centering assistance, road-sign recognition, and automatic high beams (the pre-collision system can also detect bicyclists and motorcyclists).

Safe Exit Assist is an innovative standard safety feature. The electronic door release system will help prevent a door from opening into the path of an oncoming vehicle or cyclist—protecting both the occupant and the approaching hazard.

What does the RX compete with?

The 2027 Lexus RX competes with the BMW X5 , Mercedes-Benz GLE , Genesis GV80 , and Lincoln Nautilus . The strongest argument for the Lexus is balance—a comfortable cabin, well-mannered on-road driving dynamics, a long list of standard safety technology, and a lower entry price than the German alternatives. Plus, there's the legendary Lexus customer care, impressive reliability, and strong resale value compared to the other midsize luxury SUVs (Kelley Blue Book describes the RX's resale values as above the class average, while iSeeCars ranks the RX 350 first among luxury midsize SUVs for five-year value retention).

Is the Lexus RX worth buying?

Yes. The Lexus RX fits a broad audience that prioritizes comfort, cabin quality, and everyday usability in a luxury crossover—it's a great vehicle that won't disappoint. However, sporty handling shouldn't be the top shopping priority, since the platform wasn't engineered for performance (the BMW X5 is dynamically better than even the RX 500h F SPORT Performance).

As for my favorite model, I often direct shoppers to the RX 350h hybrid. It's got great road manners, the confidence of AWD when the weather (and available grip) isn't ideal, and it delivers substantially better fuel economy—an EPA rating of 36 mpg combined—for a modest premium over the gasoline AWD model.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com