I make no secret of the fact that the Lexus RX is one of, if not the very best SUV made. I recommend them to CarPro Radio Show listeners all the time. As we start 2023, I thought it might be fun to look back to the first generation of this popular SUV.
- Jerry Reynolds, The Car Pro
Wow how time flies. Twenty-five years ago Lexus introduced the first RX, the world's first-ever luxury crossover, at the 1998 North American International Auto Show. The automaker heralded it as a luxury sedan - slash- sport utility vehicle designed to deliver "comfort, design and performance." It was home run and then some. Lexus says it sold 42,000 RX 300 models the following year when it went on sale as a 1999 model. Today, the RX is the brand's best-selling vehicle and it also claims the title of best-selling SUV in the U.S.
With the new 5th generation RX now on the road, Lexus is sharing some details about the original RX 300 concept.
First Generation: 1999-2003
Convenience & Performance — Best of Both Worlds
Lexus says the idea behind the original 5-passenger RX 300 concept was both comfort and capability, both on and off the pavement. The first-generation model's 3.0-liter double-overhead cam V6 engine delivered 220-horsepower. It offered available 4WD and up to 75 cubic feet of cargo space. Lexus says it blended sport utility power, with its advanced acceleration, handling and traction, with a luxurious, passenger-focused cabin thanks to interior noise reduction.
Fun throwback RX 300 facts:
- The RX 300 is structurally different from an SUV. Instead of using conventional body-on-frame construction, the original CUV used a car-based monocoque construction, keeping the vehicle lightweight yet highly rigid.
- With individually reclining seatbacks and rear seating that could slide almost five inches fore/aft, the RX 300 boasted over 30 cubic feet of cargo space even with passenger space maximized.
All-New 5th Generation RX
Fast forward to 2023 and you get the fifth generation of the RX, which went on sale late last year. Completely redesigned, the 2023 Lexus RX rides on a new global platform, introduces two new grades, and features include an available Digital Key, Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 and Lexus Interface Multimedia System. The RX will also be available as a plug-in hybrid for the first time ever. You can check out Jerry's recent review of the 2023 Lexus RX F Sport below.
Photo Credit: Lexus