The 2026 Lexus RX stands out in the midsize luxury utility category with a bunch of different powertrains and no less than 17 variants to choose from. It may even be too popular for its own good.
Lexus now has eight utility vehicles in its lineup, big and small, powered by gasoline, electricity or a mix of both, and that portfolio includes the 2026 Lexus RX. It’s the brand’s combustion-engine two-row midsize model, which wears the longest-running and likely most-recognized nameplate of them all.
Introduced for the 1999 model year, the RX is well into its fifth generation that first appeared for 2023. Changes for 2026 include two new variants, the RX 350 F SPORT Black Line, and the RX 450h+ Ultra Premium Package.
The RX 350, available in Premium, Luxury, F SPORT 2, Ultra Luxury, Executive, F SPORT 3 and F SPORT Black Line trims, is equipped with a turbocharged 2.4L four-cylinder engine that develops 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission that feeds power to all four wheels.
The hybrid RX 350h, available in Premium, F SPORT Design, Luxury, Ultra Luxury and Executive trims, relies on a naturally aspirated 2.5L four, two electric motors, a 1.68 kWh battery pack and an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic, for a combined output of 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet. The sportier RX 500h is offered in F SPORT Performance 2, F SPORT Performance 3 and F SPORT Black Line trims, while being equipped with the turbocharged 2.4L engine, gutsier electric motors, a 1.9 kWh battery and a six-speed automatic, generating 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque.
Last but not least, the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid is available in Ultra Premium and Executive trim levels. It gets the 2.5L engine, two electric motors, the electronic CVT and an 18.1 kWh battery pack, for a combined output of 304 horsepower.
Here are the fuel economy ratings for the 2026 Lexus RX. It’s worth noting here that premium fuel is required in all powertrains.
| Powertrain | City/Highway/Combined (L/100 km) | Combined (Le/100 km) | EV-Only Driving Range (km) |
| RX 350 | 11.2 / 8.3 / 9.9 | – | – |
| RX 350h | 6.3 / 6.8 / 6.5 | – | – |
| RX 500h | 8.7 / 8.4 / 8.6 | – | – |
| RX 450h+ | 6.5 / 6.9 / 6.7 | 2.8 | 61 |
During our winter test of the RX 500h F SPORT Performance 3, we managed a decent average of 9.2 L/100 km.
Standard features aboard the 2026 Lexus RX in Premium trim include 19-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a windshield wiper de-icer, a power sunroof, a power liftgate, power-folding mirrors, three-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch digital driver instrument cluster, a heated steering wheel, NuLuxe simulated leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, driver’s seat position memory, a 9.8-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration and wireless phone charging, among other things.
The Luxury trim level adds 21-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a 14-inch touchscreen, 64-colour ambient lighting, heated and ventilated rear seats, leather seats and digital key compatibility. The Ultra Luxury piles on adaptive high beams, head-up display, more-advanced steering wheel controls, a surround view monitor and more advanced safety features. The range-topping Executive gets a 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system, semi-aniline leather seating, power-folding rear seats, 14-way power front seats and an advanced park assist system.
Meanwhile, the F SPORT 2 trim picks up the Premium’s feature list while upgrading to 21-inch wheels, F SPORT-specific styling cues inside and out and an adaptive suspension. It also includes a panoramic sunroof, a 14-inch touchscreen, 64-colour ambient lighting, heated/ventilated/power-folding rear seats, leather seating and a digital key. The F SPORT 3 gets the 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo, adaptive high beams, surround view monitor and more advanced safety features. The F SPORT Black Line offers a mostly blacked-out finish, but with orange-painted brake callipers and grey interior stitching.
In Canada, 2026 Lexus RX pricing ranges from $64,189 to $93,758, which includes $2,205 in freight and delivery charges, the $100 A/C tax and $999 dealer fees. In the United States, the RX is priced from $52,375 to $77,790. Two-row midsize luxury crossover competition includes the BMW iX, the BMW X5, the Cadillac Lyriq, the Cadillac XT5, the Genesis GV80 Coupe, the Infiniti QX65, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Range Rover Velar, the Mercedes-Benz GLE and the Polestar 3. We can also consider three-models such as the Acura MDX, the Audi Q7, the Buick Enclave, the Cadillac Vistiq, the Genesis GV80, the Infiniti QX60, the Land Rover Discovery, the Lincoln Aviator, the Volvo XC90 and, well, the brand’s own Lexus TX.
Why You Should Buy a 2026 Lexus RX
- Hybrid or not, the RX is one of the most fuel-efficient crossovers in its segment. Granted, gas prices may not be a huge concern for luxury-vehicle buyers, but it’s nice to know that you can spend your money on something more enjoyable than dino juice.
- There are no less than 17 configurations to choose from, with four different powertrain options. That’s a pretty wide selection and there’s bound to be an RX for most midsize luxury crossover shoppers.
- Interior fit and finish is top-class. In addition, the RX’s interior design is much more appealing than it used to be in the brand’s products. We like the appearance of oversized wheels on a vehicle, but the low-profile tires wrapped around them usually have a negative effect on ride quality. Not in this case. Our RX 500h tester rolled on 21-inch wheels and 235/50R21 Michelin X-Ice winter tires, and the ride remained buttery smooth.
- The RX 500h serves up plenty of power, and according to the manufacturer, it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in about six seconds, which isn’t bad at all.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy a 2026 Lexus RX
- While some shoppers may appreciate the F SPORT variants’ subdued, yet still sporty appearance, they don’t have as much character and sound as BMW and Mercedes-AMG products. In addition, if we’re the type of driver that’s always switching between drive modes, there’s no hard button in the RX 500h. These modes must be selected on screen, and it’s a multi-step process, which kind of dampens the mood.
- Uplevel RX trims are equipped with what the brand calls its Advanced Touch Steering Wheel. It incorporates unmarked, touch-sensitive buttons that react to our finger contact and display the appropriate function on the head-up display. The setup is too fussy, and that split-second delay in assigning a function for the button gets a little annoying over time. The electric door latches are also a hassle for some people.
- The RX’s fat front pillars cut down on outward visibility. We must be extra careful while turning at busy city intersections as pedestrians crossing the street could end up in our blind spot. Also, cargo space is among the smallest in the segment.
- The Lexus RX is popular among car thieves in Canada. It has one of the highest theft rates in the country, so owners must take extra precautions to keep their vehicle safe, such as investing in third-party anti-theft devices.
Should You Buy a 2026 Lexus RX?
The RX has been one of the brand’s best-selling vehicles in Canada ever since it hit the market over a quarter-century ago. The latest iteration is stylish, feels solid, drives extremely well and offers a comfortable ride, all while enjoying a strong reputation for reliability and good resale value.
On the other hand, the F SPORT variants lack the character some performance-minded buyers may be looking for, though the compromise is segment-leading fuel economy. Finally, at more than $80k, the RX 500h and RX 450h+ variants are rather costly, except if we cross-shop them with the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.
| Specifications | |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus RX | 2026 BMW X5 | 2027 Infiniti QX65 | 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE | |
| Price Range ($CAD) | $64,189 to $93,758 | $96,150 to $201,820 | $70,461 to $85,161 | $62,390 to $76,675 | $90,190 to $237,359 |
| Engines | - Turbo 2.4L I4 - 2.5L I4 HEV - Turbo 2.4L I4 HEV - 2.5L I4 PHEV | - Turbo 3.0L I6 MHEV - Turbo 3.0L I6 PHEV - Twin-Turbo 4.4L V8 MHEV | - Turbo 2.0L I4 | - 3.6L V6 - Turbo 2.0L I4 | - Turbo 2.0L I4 - Turbo 3.0L I6 MHEV - Turbo 2.0L I4 PHEV - Twin-Turbo 4.0L V8 MHEV |
| Output (hp) | 246 to 366 | 375 to 617 | 268 | 293 to 324 | 255 to 603 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 233 to 406 | 398 to 553 | 286 | 260 to 332 | 295 to 627 |
| Combined Fuel Economy (L/100 km) | 6.5 to 9.9 | 9.4 to 15.8 | 10.1 | 10.4 to 10.9 | 10.6 to 14.0 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,850 | 2,972 to 2,975 | 2,900 | 2,964 | 2,995 |
| Length (mm) | 4,890 | 4,932 to 4,949 | 5,041 | 4,914 | 4,924 to 4,954 |
| Width (mm) | 1,921 | 2,004 to 2,015 | 1,981 | 1,968 | 2,010 to 2,018 |
| Height (mm) | 1,710 | 1,755 to 1,765 | 1,770 | 1,799 to 1,801 | 1,782 to 1,797 |
| Headroom Front/Rear (mm) | 955 to 968 / 940 to 978 | 1,033 to 1,036 / 983 to 1,001 | 1,030 / 938 | 1,031 / 1,002 | 1,074 / 1,027 |
| Legroom Front/Rear (mm) | 1,044 / 949 | 1,011 / 983 | 1,123 / 906 | 1,050 / 971 | 1,024 / 1,040 |
| Cargo Volume Min/Max (L) | 838 / 1,308 | 650 / 1,870 | 1,013 / 1,917 | 1,068 / 2,004 | 630 / 2,055 |
| Max Towing Capacity (kg) | 1,588 | 3,270 | 2,722 | 2,818 | 3,500 |
