Lexus RX 2016 Price, Review, Release Date, Interior & Updates: 5 Improvements Fans Can Expect to See

The Lexus is considered as one of the best car brands in the market today. The RX lineup from this luxury vehicle arm of Toyota is also on top of its class in the midsize SUV segment. So, naturally, consumers would expect nothing less from the new Lexus RX 2016.

The RX model has sold more than 2 million units making it Lexus' best-seller in the U.S. But, the success has yet to translate in the European market so far where only a couple of hundred thousand Lexus RX were sold. Now, the company has to find a compromise in the design of the vehicle in order to appeal in the two different regions of the world, wrote The Telegraph.

"The old model was not so much fun to drive, which is what we wanted to address, but just for the pursuit of driving fun. We were not willing to sacrifice ease of use or ride comfort," said Naohisa Hatta, assistant chief engineer on the new (and old) RX. The Lexus team has definitely made some upgrades and here are some improvements fans can expect to see in the fourth generation RX.

More Powerful Drive

The new Lexus SUV is powered by 3.5L V6 engine capable of 295 horsepower and 267lb-ft of torque for both the RX 350 and RX 350 F Sport with 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2015 model has the same engine specs but produces less horsepower and torque. The 2016 RX350 feels stronger than the previous model at every point in the course of normal driving, says Torque News.

New Exterior Updates

The RX 2016 has added more angst to its look with its angular and more aggressive appeal. It sports a more modern design with its more prominent lines and spindle grille and it also looks sportier than ever with the LED accent lighting in the LED headlight assemblies.

More Spacious Interior

The new Lexus was also designed to provide more cargo and seating space for passengers both in the rear and front. The RX was, actually, longer compared to the BMW X5 and Land Rover Discovery Sport, which both offer third-row seats, according to Drive.com.au. This means added comfort because it is less busy inside.

New Entertainment features

The 2016 Lexus RX is equipped with an infotainment screen, which is 8 inches in size, and a 9-speaker sound system both offered as a standard with an option to go for the 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 12-speaker Pioneer system or a 15-speaker Mark Levinson system.

Safety Updates

The new Lexus vehicle just got a five-star rating from Euro NCAP crash-test safety, thanks largely to features such as Lane-departure warnings, stability control and emergency braking, along with a driver-alert function.

As for its pricing and release date, the Lexus RX 2016 is now available at an entry-level price of $41,900 for the RX 350 and could go up to as much as $57,000 for the most premium model, the RX 450h F Sport.