2018 LEXUS RX | 2T2BZMCA7JC143069

Body Styles

The Lexus RX is available as a five-door midsize luxury SUV, with options for two-row and three-row seating configurations. The standard RX features a bold spindle grille, sharp LED headlights, and a floating roof design, giving it a distinctive and modern appearance. The RX L variant extends the body length by approximately 110 mm to accommodate a third row, offering seating for up to seven passengers. Despite the added length, the RX L maintains the sleek profile and design elements of the standard model. Both versions provide ample interior space, with the RX L offering additional versatility for larger families.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The "RX" designation stands for "Radiant Crossover," reflecting Lexus' vision of a vehicle that combines the versatility of an SUV with the elegance and comfort of a luxury sedan. Introduced in 1998, the RX was one of the pioneers in the luxury crossover segment, aiming to offer a refined driving experience without sacrificing practicality.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The Lexus RX from this generation was painted in a range of refined metallic and pearl tones that emphasized its sculpted surfaces and strong character lines. Colors like Nightfall Mica, Matador Red Mica, and Eminent White Pearl gave the car a luxury presence, while shades such as Nebula Gray and Caviar added a more discreet, executive flair. Each color was chosen to highlight the sharpness of the spindle grille and the fluid curve of the floating roofline. In specific trims, especially F Sport, blacked-out details around the mirrors and lower bumper gave the SUV a more athletic, contrasting look without disrupting its elegant silhouette.

Inside, the RX was upholstered in premium materials ranging from durable NuLuxe to soft semi-aniline leather, with color schemes like Noble Brown, Circuit Red, Parchment, and Black providing a choice between warmth, sportiness, or neutrality. Decorative trim inlays varied by version and included open-pore wood, linear dark mocha, and aluminum finishes that extended through the dashboard and door panels. Stitching and perforation patterns were carefully coordinated with seat contours and center console lines, giving the cabin a clean, harmonious flow. Ambient lighting and contrasting piping on selected trims enhanced the premium feel without overstatement.

Wheels ranged from 18-inch multi-spoke designs with a satin metallic finish to larger 20-inch alloy options with machined faces and dark graphite inserts. These wheels filled the arches well and visually balanced the RX’s high beltline and tapered rear section. F Sport models introduced a more angular, turbine-like wheel motif, further reinforced by subtle red brake calipers and tighter wheel-to-body spacing that hinted at a sportier stance while preserving overall ride comfort.

Top Expensive Options

• Mark Levinson® Premium Surround Sound Audio System: $3,200
• Navigation Package with 12.3-inch Display: $2,500
• Panoramic View Monitor: $1,800
• Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS): $1,500
• Triple-Beam LED Headlamps: $1,600
• Premium Package (includes leather-trimmed interior, wood trim): $1,200
• Towing Prep Package: $650
• Heated and Ventilated Front Seats: $640
• Power Tilt-and-Slide Moonroof: $1,350
• Wireless Charger: $200

vs Competitors

In its segment, the Lexus RX stood alongside the Audi Q7, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE—each offering a different interpretation of luxury and performance. While German rivals focused on advanced chassis systems and turbocharged powertrains to deliver sharp handling and driver engagement, the RX pursued an alternative philosophy rooted in refinement, long-term reliability, and tranquil driving behavior. It prioritized low cabin noise, smooth power transitions, and effortless acceleration over high-speed cornering or spec sheet dominance.

Its hybrid variant, the RX 450h, offered something rare at the time: premium self-charging hybrid technology with genuine all-weather usability. Unlike plug-in rivals that required planning for electric range, the RX hybrid delivered consistent efficiency without altering driver behavior. In terms of cabin comfort, Lexus outshone many competitors with its superior build quality, tactile materials, and a user interface free from excessive gimmicks. While the RX may not have matched German SUVs in terms of infotainment innovation or badge prestige, it consistently appealed to buyers seeking an SUV that felt composed, durable, and intuitively luxurious. Its strength lay not in provocation, but in poise.

Fun Fact

The RX was the first luxury crossover in the world to offer a self-charging hybrid drivetrain when it debuted the RX 400h in 2005. By the time the 2016–2022 generation launched, Lexus had refined this system to the point of near invisibility—most drivers could not tell when the powertrain switched between electric and gasoline propulsion. This seamless operation became a hallmark of Lexus hybrid engineering and helped establish the RX as the best-selling luxury SUV in the U.S. for multiple consecutive years. The RX’s hybrid technology also influenced Toyota’s broader electrification strategy, serving as a testbed for systems that would later appear in vehicles from Highlander to RAV4 Prime.