New 2026 Lexus RX Dimensions, Engine, MSRP

New 2026 Lexus RX Dimensions, Engine, MSRP   –  The Lexus RX was billed as the first-ever luxury SUV when it debuted for 1998. It also became the first Lexus vehicle built outside of Japan when the first one rolled off the line in 2003 at Toyota’s plant in Cambridge, Ont., where it’s still made.

It’s also still a top seller for the company, and for good reason: it’s a very nice vehicle to drive. For this review, I drove the 2026 Lexus RX; it’s also available as the RX 450h hybrid, and both can be ordered in stretched versions with three rows of seats. My tester started at $56,150 and was equipped with a Black Line Edition package for $8,850, bringing it to $65,000 before freight and taxes.

New 2026 Lexus RX Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

The RX has the inherent practicality of a sport-utility: it’s easy to get in and out, thanks to its not-too-high height and not-too-wide sill. About the only part that isn’t too practical is the black-and-white upholstery colour scheme that comes with the Black Line Edition. It’s gorgeous, but the white edges on the seat and console easily show any dirt.  New 2026 Lexus RX Dimensions

The cargo compartment has a large opening and it’s easy to pack items in. It has a capacity of 453 L when the seats are up, and they fold flat for a total of 924 L of space. There isn’t a great deal of small-item storage in the console, but you do get a generous console box with a removable liner. Should you have too much to carry inside, the RX can tow up to 1,588 kg (3,500 lb).

New 2026 Lexus RX Specs

In addition to its high-tech safety features, the RX’s standard equipment includes a power tailgate, eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a cargo net and cover.

The Black Line Edition adds items including auto-levelling headlights, LED exterior lighting, automatic air recirculation, 12.3-inch centre touchscreen, and some extra connectivity items such as embedded navigation with destination assist, safety and service connections, and mobile apps, most on a three-year trial.  New 2026 Lexus RX Dimensions

Engine and Performance

The RX contains a 3.5L V6 that makes 295 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It comes in a front-wheel-only version for American buyers, but in Canada, all RX models are all-wheel drive. The system primarily powers the front wheels under most conditions, but sends power to the rear when needed for extra traction. It can also be locked in at low speeds for sticky situations, such as a snowed-in driveway.  New 2026 Lexus RX Dimensions

Those power numbers are a good fit. Acceleration is smooth and linear, both from a standing stop, and when you need extra oomph when passing on the highway. Its get-up-and-go won’t take your breath away, but it gets the job done quietly and efficiently, and the transmission shifts are silky-smooth. I like that while many automakers are going to tiny turbocharged engines to move bigger vehicles around, the RX sticks with a naturally aspirated powerplant. I prefer that for its simplicity, especially if long-term ownership is the goal.

New 2026 Lexus RX Fuel Economy

The RX is rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 12.2 L/100 km in the city; 9.0 on the highway; and 10.8 L/100 km in combined driving. In my week with it, I averaged 11.1 L/100 km, and on regular-grade fuel.  New 2026 Lexus RX Dimensions

That’s about midway for the segment: slightly more than a fairly comparable BMW X3 or Audi Q5, but better figures than an Acura MDX, Porsche Macan, or Buick Enclave. The RX 450h hybrid is rated at a combined 7.9 L/100 km, but of course it’s pricier than its non-electrified RX sibling.

New 2026 Lexus RX Safety Features

The RX comes standard with such features as adaptive cruise control, emergency front braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beam headlights, and the back-up camera that’s required on all new vehicles. The Black Line Edition further adds clearance sonar with emergency rear braking if it detects cross-traffic and you haven’t stopped for it.  New 2026 Lexus RX Dimensions

New 2026 Lexus RX Price and Release Date

The RX has several premium features and a very high-quality cabin for its starting price of $56,150, but it’s expensive to add more items. My tester’s Black Line Edition option was a hefty step up at $8,850, but all of the packages are pricey, adding between $7,900 and $14,050.

You also have to look at how those packages distribute their goodies, too. All of them add such items as premium lighting and the upgraded infotainment system, but you have to move up to the top package, which brings the RX to $70,200, to add such items as wireless charging, hands-free tailgate, a panoramic sunroof, or a head-up display.  New 2026 Lexus RX Dimensions