Photos courtesy of Lexus Press

The new, upgraded RX model range made its Philippine debut in a posh dinner held last Tuesday at the Lexus Manila showroom in the Fort. 

The new RX exterior features a new, more elegant and aggressive frontal design. An enhanced interior offers an expanded choice of color schemes, new trim finishes, a new steering wheel and a revised instrument binnacle.

With the launch of the first RX in 1998, Lexus created the Luxury SUV segment, combining, for the first time, all the flexibility, practicality and durability of a Sports Utility Vehicle with the handling, performance, refinement and ride of a luxury sedan.


The RX was the first ever SUV to be equipped with a full hybrid powertrain in 2005. Today, after three generations, two of which have been equipped with Lexus Hybrid Drive technology, the RX remains a key model for Lexus.

In the Philippines, the premium SUV is the top-selling Lexus vehicle in the country.

Exterior Design 

The new Lexus RX range is hallmarked by a bold, elegant and highly individual frontal treatment which will be adopted throughout the brand to strengthen the Lexus family identity between model ranges.

Giving the new RX a powerful, commanding road presence, this new, more aggressive design is a further evolution of a styling cue first developed on the CT 200h and GS model ranges.

The inverted trapezoid upper grille and slanted lower grille have been combined and integrated into a single element, bridging the bumper mid-section to create a prominent ‘spindle’ shape. Reinforcing this more modern and bolder identity, the lower grille now features horizontal bars and is finished in black.


Positioned on a higher plane than the grille itself -a unique Lexus characteristic- a new, clear lens headlamp cluster design incorporates a choice of halogen, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps. The headlamps are underscored by integral LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) which form the L-finesse arrowhead motif, reinforcing the unique visual signature of the new RX model range.

Now also fitted with clear lenses, the rear lamp clusters have been redesigned with a stronger, more sweeping horizontal emphasis, adding elegance to the rear of the vehicle.  

The current choice of 18” aluminium wheels is expanded by the addition of four new exterior colors –Satin Silver, Burgundy Red, Sienna Brown and Midnight Blue, bringing the choice of colors available to 10 in total.

Interior Design 

Further broadening the appeal of its spacious, luxurious and technically advanced dual-zone ‘crossover’ cockpit, the new RX interior features an expanded choice of color schemes, new trim finishes, a new steering wheel and a revised instrument binnacle.


Adding to the choice of interior color schemes available, Saddle Tan joins the existing Ivory, Black and Light Grey line-up.

Seat stitching has been enhanced by the use of thicker thread and more prominent colors, and the dashboard design enlivened through the addition of a matte silver insert above the glove box.

A new, more comfortable steering wheel features a cross-section which is no longer uniform throughout its circumference. Its varying profile allows for a relaxing grip and smooth steering inputs.

The center console box has been extensively revised to enhance its practicality. The console lid opening angle has been increased to 95 degrees to improve access. Both the USB port and accessory socket have been moved closer to the top of the box interior, which now features a closeable door and a removable divider plate.

New Grade: Premier 

For the first time locally, the RX350 is now available in a new grade, the ‘Premier’ option. The Premier package includes a tilt and slide moon roof, new 19” aluminum alloy wheels, driver’s seat, steering wheel and side mirror memory functions, a multipurpose roof rail, perforated leather seats, power rear door and a backup camera integrated in the rear view mirror.

Price for the 2012 Lexus RX 350 starts at P 3,578,000 while the Premier retails for P 3,898,000.