Extended by 110 mm compared to the standard RX, the L offers seating for seven with a 40/20/40 rear split, although buyers can specify a six-seat option where the middle row comes with two individual seats that allows for easier access to the third row via a "walk through" setup.
Power for the US-spec RX L remains unchanged with the 3.5-litre petrol V6 in the RX 350 L developing 216 kW and 357 Nm linked to a eight-speed automatic gearbox, and a combined output of 230 kW in the 3.5-litre V6 hybrid RX 450 L. Front-wheel is standard on the 350 with al-wheel drive optional, while the hybrid sends its grunt through a CVT to all four wheels only.
Standard spec includes a eight-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth and HD Radio, dual USB ports, a nine-speaker sound system, tri-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster display, bi-LED headlights and a full array of safety tech such as Pre-Collision Warning with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keep Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor and Park Assist.
Optional items meanwhile consists of 20-inch alloy wheels, 360-degree camera system, the Navigation package that also adds a 12-speaker sound system, a 12.3-inch display and a full colour Heads-Up Display. An additional option is a 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system when specified with the navigation system.
The RX L is expected to arrive in US dealership floors next month initially in 350 guise only with a sticker price of $47 670 (R650 047) for the front-wheel drive, and $49 070 (R669 138) for the AWD. It remains to be seen whether Lexus South Africa will deem it fit to bring the RX L to market, but expect early 2018 if indeed approved.
