Recently, the top 10 imported SUVs sold were announced, among which the Lexus RX won the second place with 25,400 units, second only to the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Lexus RX was once a "phenomenal" product, with the body size of a medium-sized SUV and a wheelbase of less than 2.8 meters, dominating the 50-800,000 luxury SUV market, even if the top model is priced at more than 800,000 yuan, but RX is still not worried about selling, and even once increased the price.
However, since 2021, RX's sales have begun to stagnate, and last year it fell by 8.35% year-on-year.
In order to improve competitiveness and cater to electrification, Lexus launched a new generation of RX last year. In addition to the current 2.5-liter hybrid version (RX350h), a new 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid version (RX450h+) has been added, with an all-electric range of 83 km. The RX500h model is powered by a 2.4-liter hybrid system and equipped with an electronic dynamic four-wheel drive system, which accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds.
In addition, the official price of the new first-generation RX has been reduced by up to 7,000 yuan compared with the pre-sale price, the price of the top model has been reduced by 182,000 yuan compared with the old model, and the price of the entry-level model has been reduced to more than 400,000 yuan, which is about 80,000 yuan more than the Highlander, which also uses a 2.5L petrol-electric hybrid.
Heading into the new year, Lexus' intention to accelerate the pace of electrification has become even more obvious, and another Lexus RX 450h+ F Design model has been launched. The car has been launched in the European market one after another, and it is expected that the delivery task will start as soon as the second quarter of this year, and the new model is also expected to be introduced to the domestic market in the second quarter of this year.
From the outside, this model adopts a spindle-shaped body, with design elements such as a seamless integrated grille, headlight clusters, continuous taillights, and a 3D floating rear window, giving it a very textured appearance.
In addition, the new car will be available in seven body paint schemes for customers to choose from, and the same 21-inch blacked-out alloy wheels as the RX 500h F Sport model will be upgraded.
Inside, the RX 450h+ F Design features a 99% Tazuna reins concept cockpit that draws inspiration from the human-horse one, incorporating the concept of simple reins handling.
In terms of power, the new Lexus RX 450h+ F Design model will be equipped with a plug-in hybrid system composed of a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine + two electric motors, with a combined maximum power of 230kW. At the same time, the new car will also be equipped with an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery, with an all-electric range of up to 65 kilometers and a WLTP fuel consumption of only 1.2 liters per 100 kilometers.
In terms of price, the new model is priced at 98,700 euros (about 770,000 yuan) in overseas markets, and its main competitors in the same class include BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE and Audi Q7. Although there is not much problem with the product power, once it is put into the same level of market, both the brand and the price feel that it will lose its competitiveness.