Model research hub
Lexus RX
MotorTrend says the RX Hybrid builds on the legacy of the original Lexus RX that pioneered the luxury crossover segment by blending comfort with practicality, with all RX Hybrid models including the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of driver assists and active safety features. MotorTrend separately titled its 2024 RX450h+ review 'The Mercedes Challenger You Won't Hear Coming,' saying hybrid models fare much better, with the RX350h smooth and quiet while the RX450h+ adds good EV range and a well-rounded blend of comfort and agility, albeit at a high price. Car and Driver says for 2026, the RX Hybrid lineup doesn't receive any significant aesthetic or mechanical changes, though there are some noteworthy updates.
The segment pioneer
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says the RX Hybrid builds on the legacy of the original Lexus RX that pioneered the luxury crossover segment by blending comfort with practicality, with all RX Hybrid models including the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of driver assists and active safety features.
A quiet Mercedes challenger
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) titled its 2024 RX450h+ review 'The Mercedes Challenger You Won't Hear Coming,' saying hybrid models fare much better, with the RX350h smooth and quiet while the RX450h+ adds good EV range and a well-rounded blend of comfort and agility, albeit at a high price.
Minimal 2026 changes
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says for 2026, the RX Hybrid lineup doesn't receive any significant aesthetic or mechanical changes, though there are some noteworthy updates.
Questions buyers ask
Did the Lexus RX pioneer the luxury crossover segment?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says yes.
What does MotorTrend call the RX450h+?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) calls it 'The Mercedes Challenger You Won't Hear Coming.'
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Lexus RX is built around 2.5L hybrid four-cylinder, 2.4L turbo four-cylinder, or 2.4L turbo hybrid, rated at 246 / 275 / 366 horsepower across its midsize luxury SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 4 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe most the 2026 Lexus RX is published to tow is up to 3,500 lb (with factory Towing Prep Package, all powertrains).
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2026 RX.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Lexus RX
RX 350h is the standard hybrid at 246 hp; RX 350 uses the turbo four at 275 hp; RX 450h+ is the plug-in hybrid; RX 500h is the performance hybrid at 366 hp.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
2 indexed Lexus RX model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus RX | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Lexus RX | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Lexus RX.
The Lexus RX is a luxury crossover SUV sold since 1998 by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota. Originally released in its home market of Japan in late 1997 as the Toyota Harrier, export sales began in March 1998 as the Lexus RX. Considered as the first luxury crossover SUV by many sources, five generations of the RX have been produced to date, the first being compact in size, and the latter classified as mid-size.
- Models
- The RX 200t FWD (AGL20) and the RX 200t AWD (AGL25) were revealed at the 2015 Auto Shanghai along with the facelifted Mk6 Lexus ES. Replacing the RX 270 (AGL10), the model is powered by the same 2.0-liter 8AR-FTS turbocharged inline-four engine as the NX 200t AGZ10. It is available in both front- and all-wheel drive.
- Powertrain
- The fourth-generation RX was awarded "Top Safety Pick+" in 2016 and 2017 by IIHS.
- Sales
- The success of the Lexus RX has been particularly strong in the United States, where it has been the best-selling luxury SUV since its introduction. As one of the earliest luxury crossovers on the market, the RX has inspired similar competitors from rival marques.
Source: Lexus RX (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Lexus RX at a glance
- Production
- December 1997 – present
- Model years
- 1998–present
- Class
- Compact crossover SUV#Luxury vehicles, Compact luxury crossover SUV (1997–2003), Mid-size luxury car, Mid-size luxury crossover SUV (2003–present)
- Body style
- 5-door SUV
- Layout
- Front-engine, front-wheel drive, Front-engine, four-wheel drive
- Chassis
- Unibody
- Successor
- Toyota Harrier (XU60) (Japan, for XU30 model), Lexus TX (RX L)
- Also called
- Toyota Harrier (Japan, 1997–2013)
Recent recalls (6 campaigns across the latest model years)
- September 2026, Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 Lexus TX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX350, RX500 Hybrid, TX500 Hybrid, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can… Consequence: A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.
- March 2026, Back Over Prevention:Software. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lexus NX350, NX250, 2023-2026 RX350, and 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the… Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- October 2025, Back Over Prevention:Display Function. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview… Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Year by year
The Lexus RX across 12 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus RX | 24–36 | $2,200–$3,300 | 4 | 2 | 5 stars |
| 2025 Lexus RX | 24–36 | $2,150–$3,250 | 5 | 4 | 5 stars |
| 2024 Lexus RX | 24–36 | $2,150–$3,250 | 4 | 4 | 5 stars |
| 2023 Lexus RX | 24–36 | $2,150–$3,250 | 4 | 3 | 5 stars |
| 2022 Lexus RX | 21–30 | $2,600–$2,950 | 6 | 4 stars | |
| 2021 Lexus RX | 21–30 | $2,600–$2,950 | 6 | 1 | 4 stars |
| 2020 Lexus RX | 21–30 | $2,600–$2,950 | 6 | 1 | 4 stars |
| 2019 Lexus RX | 21–30 | $2,600–$2,950 | 6 | 1 | 4 stars |
| 2018 Lexus RX | 21–30 | $2,600–$2,950 | 6 | 4 stars | |
| 2017 Lexus RX | 22–30 | $2,600–$2,850 | 3 | 5 stars | |
| 2016 Lexus RX | 22–30 | $2,600–$2,850 | 4 | 4 stars | |
| 2015 Lexus RX | 20–29 | $2,650–$3,100 | 5 | 5 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Lexus RX, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Electric range, miles | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | 5 to 4 | Labels: RX 450h Plus AWD; Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; PHEV; Fuels: Premium and Electricity | |||
| 2024 to 2025 | 4 to 5 | first listed: 37 | Labels: RX 450h Plus AWD; Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; PHEV; Transmissions: Automatic (S6); Fuels: Premium and Electricity | ||
| 2022 to 2023 | 6 to 4 | 25.5 to 30.0 | Labels: RX 350h AWD, RX 500h AWD; Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI, 2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid | Labels: RX 350 L, RX 350 L AWD, RX 450h AWD, RX 450h L AWD; Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI, 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid; Fuels: Regular; Size classes: Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | |
| 2018 to 2019 | Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid | ||||
| 2017 to 2018 | 3 to 6 | 26.0 to 25.5 | Labels: RX 350 L, RX 350 L AWD, RX 450h L AWD | ||
| 2016 to 2017 | 4 to 3 | Labels: RX 450h | |||
| 2015 to 2016 | 5 to 4 | 24.5 to 26.0 | Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI; Size classes: Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl; Transmissions: Automatic (S6) |
Buying used
What the Lexus RX recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | back over prevention (display function); back over prevention (software) | None |
| 2025 | 4 | seat belts (rear/other); electrical system (instrument cluster/panel); back over prevention (display function); 1 more | None |
| 2024 | 4 | seats (front assembly); seat belts (rear/other); back over prevention (display function); 1 more | None |
| 2023 | 3 | steering (column); back over prevention (display function); back over prevention (software) | None |
| 2021 | 1 | air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2020 | 1 | air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2019 | 1 | fuel system, gasoline (delivery) | None |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Lexus RX trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 350 | AWD | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 275 | 317 | 4,310 | 3,500 | 24 | $51,975 |
| RX 350 Premium | AWD | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 275 | 317 | 4,310 | 3,500 | 24 | $54,150 |
| RX 350h | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid) | 246 | 233 | 4,480 | 3,500 | 36 | $54,275 |
| RX 350h Premium | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid) | 246 | 233 | 4,480 | 3,500 | 36 | $56,450 |
| RX 350 F SPORT Design | AWD | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 275 | 317 | 4,310 | 3,500 | 24 | $56,480 |
| RX 350 Premium+ | AWD | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 275 | 317 | 4,310 | 3,500 | 24 | $54,150 |
| RX 350h F SPORT Design | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid) | 246 | 233 | 4,480 | 3,500 | 36 | $58,780 |
| RX 350 F SPORT Handling | AWD | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 275 | 317 | 4,310 | 3,500 | 24 | $60,750 |
| RX 350 Luxury | AWD | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 275 | 317 | 4,310 | 3,500 | 24 | $62,695 |
| RX 350h Luxury | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid) | 246 | 233 | 4,480 | 3,500 | 36 | $64,195 |
| RX 350h Premium+ | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid) | 246 | 233 | 4,480 | 3,500 | 36 | $56,450 |
| RX 450h+ Premium | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid) | 304 | – | 4,750 | 3,500 | 36 | $66,680 |
| RX 500h F SPORT Performance | AWD | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) | 366 | 406 | 4,750 | 3,500 | 27 | $66,850 |
| RX 450h+ Luxury | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid) | 304 | – | 4,745 | 3,500 | 36 | $73,310 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Lexus RX model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid) / 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) | 246–366 | 4,310–4,750 | 3,500 | 14.5–17.8 |
| 2025 | 13 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid) / 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) | 246–366 | 4,310–4,810 | 3,500 | 14.5–17.8 |
| 2024 | 11 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid) / 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) | 246–366 | 4,310–4,800 | 3,500 | 14.5–17.8 |
| 2023 | 10 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid) / 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) | 246–366 | 4,310–4,750 | 3,500 | 17.2–17.8 |
| 2022 | 10 | 3.5-liter V6 / 3.5-liter V6 (Hybrid) | 290–308 | 4,387–4,905 | 3,500 | 17.2–19.2 |
| 2021 | 10 | 3.5-liter V6 / 3.5-liter V6 (Hybrid) | 295–308 | 4,387–4,905 | 3,500 | 17.2–19.2 |
| 2020 | 6 | 3.5-liter V6 / 3.5-liter V6 (Hybrid) | 290–308 | 4,387–4,905 | 3,500 | 17.2–19.2 |
| 2019 | 6 | 3.5-liter V6 / 3.5-liter V6 (Hybrid) | 290–308 | 4,387–4,905 | 3,500 | 17.2–19.2 |
| 2018 | 6 | 3.5-liter V6 / 3.5-liter V6 (Hybrid) | 290–308 | 4,387–4,905 | 3,500 | 17.2–19.2 |
| 2017 | 4 | 3.5-liter V6 / 3.5-liter V6 (Hybrid) | 295–308 | 4,387–4,740 | 3,500 | 17.2–19.2 |
| 2016 | 4 | 3.5-liter V6 / 3.5-liter V6 (Hybrid) | 259–295 | 4,387–4,608 | 3,500 | 17.2–19.2 |
| 2015 | 4 | 3.5-liter V6 / 3.5-liter V6 (Hybrid) | 245–270 | 4,343–4,652 | 3,500 | 17.2–19.2 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Lexus RX.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0W-20 (5.6 qt) RX 350; 0W-16 (4.5 qt) RX 450h+ | – | – | – | – |
| 2020 | 0W-20 | – | – | – | – |
| 2015 | – | – | – | – | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Lexus RX: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | not available | backup camera |
| 2025 | 4 | not available | backup camera, seat belts, electrical system |
| 2024 | 4 | not available | backup camera, seats, seat belts |
| 2023 | 3 | not available | backup camera, steering |
| 2022 | not available | ||
| 2021 | 1 | not available | airbags |
| 2020 | 1 | not available | airbags |
| 2019 | 1 | not available | fuel system |
| 2018 | not available | ||
| 2017 | not available | ||
| 2016 | not available | ||
| 2015 | not available |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Lexus RX model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Lexus RX?
Federal recall records don't single out a best Lexus RX model year: recall counts across the 7 published model years checked here stay within a normal range of this nameplate's own average (about 2.3 recalls per year), with no year standing out as notably higher or lower. Recall count is one input, not a purchase verdict. It says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record.
Q02What are common recall-related problems on the Lexus RX by model year?
2026: backup camera. 2025: backup camera, seat belts, electrical system. 2024: backup camera, seats, seat belts. 2023: backup camera, steering. 2021: airbags. 2020: airbags.
Q03Why do some Lexus RX model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Lexus RX model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Engine and cooling, Buying, records and recalls, Climate and electrical, Brakes, tires and steering.
Compared with
Models this Lexus RX is most often compared with.
Nearest Lexus models
Other Lexus models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 RX come in?
The 2026 Lexus RX (midsize luxury SUV) comes in 4 trims: RX 350, RX 350h, RX 450h+, RX 500h.
Q02What are the 2026 RX trims?
The 2026 Lexus RX trims are RX 350, RX 350h, RX 450h+, RX 500h, listed from the entry RX 350 up to the top RX 500h.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 RX use?
The 2026 Lexus RX is built around 2.5L hybrid four-cylinder, 2.4L turbo four-cylinder, or 2.4L turbo hybrid, rated at 246 / 275 / 366 horsepower across its midsize luxury SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 RX have?
The 2026 Lexus RX is rated at 246 / 275 / 366 horsepower (2.5L hybrid four-cylinder, 2.4L turbo four-cylinder, or 2.4L turbo hybrid).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 RX?
The 2026 Lexus RX is offered with Standard AWD.