It is the best-selling Lexus in Canada. Lexus reinvented the luxury crossover category in 2016, the very class that it helped to pioneer almost 20 years ago, and the Canadian-built Lexus RX is indeed the best RX yet.
The fourth generation Lexus RX has been designed and engineered to surprise beyond expectations – with seductive styling, inspiring innovation, and dynamic performance. The result – a luxury crossover combines the flexibility of a sports utility vehicle with the driving comfort of a luxury sedan, wrapped in an elegant and sophisticated package – luxuriously equipped with smart technology and comfort features that deliver an intuitive, worry-free experience, every time.
Lexus Canada offers the 2016 RX in three models – each with its own signature characteristics that deliver an emotional, confident and responsive driving experience:
- The RX 350 features a redesigned power train, built around an eight-speed automatic transmission and enhanced 3.5L V6 engine that delivers more horsepower and torque than previous models.
- The RX 350 F SPORT builds on this while drawing upon Lexus’ racing heritage, mating the 3.5L V6 to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and specially tuned handling systems to deliver a more dynamic driving experience.
- The RX 450h is built around the advanced and efficient power of the Lexus Hybrid Drive and – for the first time – is offered in an available F SPORT configuration.
Exterior Design
The front view of the 2016 Lexus RX is characterized by an emboldened version of the Lexus brand’s signature spindle grille, featuring a chrome-plated border and triple L-shape-LED headlamps. Depending upon the grade, there are two types of headlights available: a compact Bi-LED headlight or an available L-shaped LED headlight accompanied by 18 individual LEDs. In the L-shaped LED headlight system, the 18 individual LEDs that surround the headlights not only act as turn signal indicators but also illuminate sequentially from the inside section of the headlamp toward the outside when the driver activates the turn signal—a first for Lexus.
Interior Design
The interior of the new RX reflects an impeccable balance of functionality and opulence. Like virtually everything else on this exceptionally well-crafted and thoughtful redesign of the RX, there have been a number of enhancements to the interior trim.
With an interior space optimized for five passengers, the 2016 RX’s lowered rear floor section helps provide a seating position comparable to that of the rear-seat passengers in the flagship Lexus LS luxury sedan. The 2016 RX featured ample rear cargo space – larger than in competing crossovers within the segment – with room enough to fit large items, including up to four large suitcases or multiple golf bags. New for the 2016 model year was the available touchless power back door – a Lexus first – which allows users to open the rear hatch by placing a hand near the Lexus emblem.
Audio/Multimedia Systems
The standard audio system is a 12-speaker Lexus Premium audio system, featuring a subwoofer with Coherent Source Transducer technology and newly-developed woofers in the front doors. Other features include Bluetooth® capability, USB inputs, Auto Sound Levelizer technology, Integrated XM Satellite Radio, Steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a roof-mounted fin antenna.
Discerning audiophiles will enjoy the available 15-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround System, with its advanced Clari-Fi™ compressed music restoration technology, Green Edge™ high-efficiency conversion technology and Unity™, which brings the high-range and mid-range cone positions as close together as possible to realize a smooth connection between mid- and high-range sounds.
The 2016 RX 350 is standard equipped with an 8-inch high-definition Thin Film Transistor liquid crystal display, featuring a high level of contrasting clarity as well as a minimal colour variation when viewed at different angles from either the driver or the front passenger seat.
Safety
A plethora of vital safety features and technologies are included on all 2016 RX models – including ten airbags, a Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System with available tire inflation display function, vehicle theft-deterrent system, and engine immobilizer system.
Braking and traction control systems include four-wheel ventilated power assisted disc brakes; a Four-sensor, four-channel Antilock Braking System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist; Traction Control; Vehicle Stability Control; and Hill-start Assist Control.
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