2026 Lexus RX gets tech upgrades, more affordable PHEV

For 2026, the Lexus RX has received more standard equipment, tweaked controls, and a new entry-level plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant, with negligible price increases across the board.

The new RX450h+ Luxury is priced at $105,350 before on-road costs, or $18,300 less than the Sports Luxury – previously the only plug-in hybrid RX offered here.

It’s $8150 more than the RX350h Luxury AWD, though it includes additional standard equipment including adaptive suspension, leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, head-up display, and ventilated front seats.

Lexus Australia has also confirmed RX vehicles produced from September 2025 feature “improved operation” of the haptic steering wheel controls and climate control system.

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Hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants feature a Vehicle Approach Notice, Lexus lingo for an acoustic vehicle alerting system (AVAS) that emits a noise at low speeds to warn pedestrians.

A wireless phone charger is now standard across the range. It was previously standard on all grades bar the Luxury, where it was part of the Enhancement Pack 1.

All variants have received a minor price increase, topping out at $265 for the base front-wheel drive RX350h Luxury.

“These updates, together with the addition of the RX450h+ Luxury grade, demonstrate the Lexus commitment to delivering refined innovation and expanding the luxury of choice for customers,” said a Lexus Australia spokesperson.

Opting for the RX450h+ Luxury instead of the pricier RX450h+ Sports Luxury means you miss out on the following:

• 21-inch alloy wheels
• 3-projector bi-LED headlights
• Cornering lights
• 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system
• 19-way power front seats with memory, 4-way power lumbar
• Heated and ventilated outboard rear seats
• Multi-colour ambient lighting
• Heated steering wheel with woodgrain trim
• Woodgrain inlays
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Semi-aniline leather-accented upholstery
• Manual rear sunshades
• Surround-view camera
• Intelligent Parking Assist

You do still, however, get the following on the RX450h+ Luxury:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Adaptive suspension
• Single-projector bi-LED headlights with automatic high-beam
• Panoramic sunroof
• Rain-sensing wipers
• 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB digital radio
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Head-up display
• 12-speaker Panasonic sound system
• 5 x USB-C outlets
• 8-way power-adjustable front seats with 2-way lumbar
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Leather upholstery
• Wireless phone charger
• Power-adjustable steering column
• Single-colour ambient lighting
• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane Tracing Assist (lane centring)
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Safe exit assist
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera

Both RX450h+ crossover SUVs mate a 136kW/227Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 134kW/270Nm front and 40kW/121Nm rear electric motors, a continuously variable automatic transmission, and a lithium-ion battery.

Total system output is 227kW, while Lexus quotes the same fuel consumption and electric range figures for both variants – 1.3L/100km and 85km on the NEDC cycle.

Pricing

MORE: Explore the Lexus RX showroom