Lexus RX L Review 2026
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Lexus RX L Verdict
High level of standard kit. Very comfortable with excellent ride quality. Big boot.
Extra seats are tricky to access. Infotainment system is not the easiest to use.
Find out more about the Lexus RX L
As the name would suggest, the RX L is a stretched version of the RX and also the first seven-seater that Lexus has sold in Europe. It means Lexus has a family car that can rival the likes of the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90.
It's hybrid only in the shape of the 450h - there's no 200t as there was previously with the standard RX - and as hybrids go, this is one of the best. It's powerful, smooth and pulls strongly. In terms of economy you're looking at around 33mpg in the real world, not bad for a car this size with more than 300PS.
So is it just more than a slightly stretched RX? Well Lexus says that the L is 'effectively a bespoke new body style' although it does appear the word 'effectively' is being made to work very hard there. It does however have a whole new rear end, although it's actually only around 10cm longer.
Lexus has also made the angle of the tailgate window slightly steeper, to improve rear headroom. The problem however, is actually getting to those seats. The sloping design of the rear doors makes it tricky and once there there's precious little space, particularly to put your feet. Older teenagers who are having a growth spurt are unlikely to find it especially comfortable.
What the L does give you is a bigger boot. Fold those extra seats down (which happens electrically at the touch of a button) and there's a cavernous boot of 495 litres - around 50 litres more than the RX. It's a usefully large - and deep - space.
Where the RX L excels is in terms of comfort. The ride is supremely comfortable and while it is hardly the most dynamic of things to drive, its smooth nature makes up for it. There are a few gripes like the odd infotainment system with its touchpad controller, something that despite lots of use, we still don't think works very well, but overall the interior is finished to a very high standard.
Despite all Lexus's talk of a bespoke body, the RX L does feel like a compromise. The new rear end can't disguise the fact that this is a car that was designed as a five-seater but has been repurposed into something else.
If the extra seats are for very occasional use, you'll find the RX L does a very good as a comfortable and spacious family SUV, but if they're going to be used often, you may be better off looking elsewhere.
Reviews for Lexus RX L's top 3 rivals
Lexus RX L handling and engines
The 450h system in the L is identical to the one in the standard RX. That means it's a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine alongside an electric motor. Combined these provide 308PS along with 335Nm of torque which gives the RX L strong performance when needed.
It's a car that's much happier when not rushed, but if you do want meaningful performance, the RX L will deliver with strong pulling power. If you've never driven a hybrid of this ilk before, it can be a little unnerving. The CVT gearbox means continual acceleration without any shifts, but it's the constant engine noise which is somewhat disconcerting.
That said, the V6 engine does sound good and you can happily make swift progress in the RX L if need be. It's not a car that wants to be thrown into corners - take it through a bend at speed and the tyres will soon squeal in protest. It's not terrible, it's just much more suited to a more relaxed style of driving.
The electric steering set up is devoid of much feel and tends to self centre a bit too eagerly for our liking, but it's responsive nonetheless and is nice and light to at low speeds to make parking easy.
While the RX L may not be especially dynamic, it does ride exceptionally well. It's very comfortable, especially on Premier models which get AVS adaptive variable suspension. This adjusts the dampers and shock absorbers depending on the road surface and the kind of driving, so it softens up on the motorway but will firm up in corners.
It's also very quiet, helped by lots of sound insulation, acoustic glass and foam inside the rear pillars to reduce wind noise.
In terms of economy, Lexus claims the RX 450hL will do around 47mpg (depending on whether you go for 18-inch or 20-inch wheels). Looking at Real MPG you're more likely to see a figure in the early 30s. If you pay BIK tax then the CO2 of 138g/km will mean you're paying less to the tax man than a similarly priced 3.0 TDI diesel Audi Q7.
Lexus RX L interior
Lexus says it has used 'ingenious design and packaging' to ensure that the two third-row seats of the RX L are comfortable to use and easy to access. Sadly, though, this still feels like a compromise. While the back end has been redesigned, this is not a car that was designed to be a seven-seater from the outset and it shows.
The design of the rear door means it's tricky to get to the extra seats, despite the fact the middle row of seats slides and flips forward. Plus once in the back, you'll find precious little room for your feet and limited headroom too.
Of course this depends on your height, but with no Isofix back there, you're limited to what child car seats you can get in the back, plus we know many parents aren't happy with having young children right at the back of the car.
One the plus side, the two rearmost seats do have their own air conditioning controls, but there's also a hard plastic section between the two seats with a cupholder - not very comfortable when you're sat back there.
There's better news in terms of boot space. With the rear seats dropped down there's plenty of load space (495 litres) and the boot is deep, so you can fit a pushchair in there and still have plenty of space left in front of it. The seats fold down (and back up) electrically and a power tailgate is standard.
The middle row of seats has plenty of room and these also recline, so you can have a kip back here on a long journey. The seats themselves offer good support too.
What's not so good is the infotainment system. The RX L still uses the strange mouse-style controller, complete with haptic feedback. The system itself isn't that bad with a clear layout, but navigating around using the mouse isn't that easy, especially when you're on the move.
However, there are no gripes about the quality of the interior. While the button-heavy design may look a bit dated now, the RX L has a superbly made interior that is finished to a very high standard.
Standard equipment from launch:
SE has 18-inch, seven-spoke alloy wheels, Lexus Safety System+, Lexus Navigation with full European mapping, Reversing camera, Leather upholstery, Driver and front passenger eight-way power adjustable seats, Heated and ventilated front seats, Power steering wheel adjustment, Power-folding third row seats, Triple-zone climate control, Drive Mode Select – four modes, Power tailgate, Auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Auto-folding heated door mirrors with reverse tilt function, LED headlights with Automatic High Beam, Illuminated exterior door handles, Smart entry and start and Integrated roof rails.
Luxury adds 20-inch machined-face alloy wheels, Lexus Premium Navigation with 12.3-inch display and 12-speaker audio with single DVD player, Power tailgate with smart open/close function, Triple-zone climate control, Wireless smartphone charger, Intelligent Parking Assist, Rain-sensing wipers, Auto-folding, auto-dimming door mirrors with reverse tilt function, Triple-eye LED headlights with Automatic High Beam and LED sequential turn indicators.
Premier gets 20-inch alloy wheels with optional colour inserts, Colour head-up display, Illuminated scuff plates, Adaptive Variable Suspension, Semi-aniline leather upholstery, 10-way power driver and front passenger seat adjustment, Heated second row seats, Memory function for front seats, steering wheel and door mirrors, Drive Mode Select – five modes, Lexus Premium Navigation with 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system, 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Power adjustable steering wheel with wood/leather inserts and integrated heater, Rear door sunshades, Card key, Triple-eye LED headlights with Adaptive High-beam System plus a sunroof
Model History
- April 2018: Lexus RX L goes on sale
- May 2018: Lexus RX L available to order
- May 2019: Updated Lexus RX L revealed
- November 2019: New entry-level grade for Lexus RX L.
April 2018
Lexus RX L goes on sale
Inside the new RX L there are two extra seats, but on the outside, the car is only 110mm longer than the five-seat model – barely the width of a man’s hand. It is actually a new body, not merely a stretch.
Not only is the RX L longer at the rear, the angle of its tailgate has been made slightly steeper. That fine adjustment is actually important in making sure there’s comfortable headroom for anyone sitting in the third row of seats. Even more valuable millimetres have been gained simply by moving the rear wiper mechanism from the top to the bottom of the window.
Open the door and you will see just how smart a solution Lexus has come up with to provide a third row of seats and a lay-out that’s easy to adapt when you need more space for luggage. Raise the seats, or stow one or both of them flat: it just takes the press of button.
The seats are finished to the same high quality as the rest of the cabin and are comfortable for youngsters or adults for long journeys or shorter trips. The RX L means that when you want a night out with friends for example, you need only take one car.
May 2018
Lexus RX L available to order
The rearmost seats raise at the press of a button. There are two controls, located on the second row of seats and in the load area. The same process stows all the srats flat increasing the length of the loadspace to 1,067 mm. There is a tonneau cover to keep items hidden from view and when not needed, it can be stowed neatly into a dedicated space beneath the load floor.
The folding second row seats have no exposed parts, so there’s no risk of snagging or tripping when getting in and out. Access to the third row is simple, with one-touch knobs to tilt and slide the second row seats forward and a footstep on the floor to guide passengers in. When the back row seats are stowed, the middle row seats have a sliding range of 150mm
A tri-zone air conditioning system lets passengers in the back row adjust heating and ventilation independently, using controls located to the side of the third row seats. They can also be operated by the driver via the central multimedia screen.
A multifunction armrest console in the third row also provides two cup holders, and two USB ports – ideal for kids to connect their gaming devices when making long journeys.
Prices start at £50,995 for the SE, with the Luxury priced at £54,095. The Premier is £61,995. All versions of the new RX L can be specified with a Protection Pack, which provides rubber floor mats, a bumper protection plate, boot liner and mud flaps. The Premier grade model can be fitted with a Style Pack, adding a front skirt, rear bumper protection plate, chrome side sills and alloy wheels with black inserts. A sunroof is available for the Luxury model.
May 2019
Updated Lexus RX L revealed
Lexus has released pictures of its updated RX and RX L models ahead of them going on sale in autumn.
The updated RX benefits from an external facelift with updated bumpers and a revised grille, while the arrangements of the tailpipes and valence has been adjusted at the rear of the car.
Inside, the seven-seat RX L now offers two different seating positions for the third row seats, providing more legroom when required.
A new multimedia touchscreen system has been fitted, incorporating Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for the first time.
Lexus says its RX is now better to drive, thanks to revised shock absorbers and increased body rigidity.
A new 'BladeScan' adaptive high-beam system improves night-time illumination without risking dazzling other road usrs This works by shining light from LEDs onto two blade-shaped mirrors that are rotating at high speed. The light is then transferred onto a lens to illuminate the road ahead. This lights up areas that might be difficult to see using a conventional high-beam system, without blnding other road users.
The new RX also benefits from the latest version of Lexus Safety System+, incorporating the firm's pre-collision system, radar-controlled adaptive cruise control and road sign assist.
UK prices and specifications for the updated RX and RX L models will be announced ahead of them going on sale in autumn 2019.
November 2019
New entry-level grade for Lexus RX L.
The new seven-seat RX L SUVs, launched in October 2019, has a new entry-level grade that offers a wealth of cutting edge technology, safety and comfort features as standard.
Connectivity is covered by a 12.3-inch multimedia display with touchscreen functions, six USB ports around the cabin and simple smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Owners can also access a range of useful and personalised connected services via Lexus Link
The RX L benefits from the latest generation Lexus Safety System+, with functions that can recognise a wide range of collision risks, alert the driver and apply braking and assistance to help avoid an accident, or lessen the consequences if an impact is unavoidable. Triple-eye LED headlights with Automatic High Beam, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and an Intelligent Clearance Sonar are also included in the specification.
The RX L has a power tailgate, paddle shifts on the steering wheel and a wireless smartphone charger. Comfort details include heated front seats (RX model only), Tahara synthetic leather upholstery and eight-way power-adjustable front seats – with two-way lumbar adjustment on the driver’s seat.
Options include a Premium Pack, adding smooth leather upholstery, front seat ventilation, hands-free tailgate operation with a kick sensor, heated steering wheel, auto-dimming and reverse-tilting functions for the door mirrors and easy access for the driver with auto-retracting seat and steering wheel (with memory function). For the RX L, the package also includes integrated front seat heaters.
A Tech and Safety Pack is available (for RX Ls where the Premium Pack has already been specified), adding a colour head-up display, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert with automatic braking – features which enhance the RX’s excellent safety provisions. Additionally, a panoramic roof can be added to the RX, and a sunroof to the RX L.
The top-of-the-range RX L Takumi is newly available with the option of two individual captain’s seats in place of the three-seat bench in the second row. Equipped with individual centre arm rests and finished in the same high quality leather as the front seats, these provide more leg and elbow-room, while also freeing up more leg and foot space for the third row passengers. Both seats have a power-folding function to create an extended, flat load space.
The new models are available to order from late November 2019 with customer deliveries from January 2020.
