ES
No changes.
GS
The experiment with the 4-cylinder turbo has ended; the GS 300 and GS 300 (shudder) F Sport are discontinued, leaving the silky smooth GS 350 with its 311-horsepower V6 and the sportier GS 350 F Sport.
GS F
No changes.
GX
To paraphrase one of the better of the last presidential cadidates, "These grilles are getting too damn big!" While doing some spring cleaning on the GX's grille and adding cameras and sensors for Lexus' Safety System+ (the GX was the last to receive it), some guys had a little too much extra time on their hands. In addition to the grille, the GX gets newly designed headlights and turn signals.
An Off-road Package is offered with a Multi-Terrain Select function to help tailor traction, transmission and engine response to different conditions. The Multi-Terrain Monitor can show views from multiple different vantages, including underneath the chassis.
Newly standard: automatic high beams, forward collision warning, Pre-Collision System, electrically tightening front seatbelts, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, driver alert monitor, Lane Departure Alert and Dynamic Cruise Control.
IS
No changes.
LC
Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are now standard; previously part of the Convenience Package.
Expect a convertible version soonish...
LS
The fourth in the Inspiration line, the LS 500 Inspiration Series starts with a new color, Dark Garnet, and adds black 20-inch wheels. Inside, bright white leather contrasts with a black dashboard, steering wheel and carpeting. Glass trim from the Executive package rounds out the look. Only 300 will be sent to the United States.
Heated steering wheel is now also standard on LS 500h.
LX
In a major hit to its already marginal fuel economy, the LX 570 is now rated at 12 city and 16 highway, down from 13/18.
NX
A power tilt and telescoping wheel is now standard.
RC
Android Auto compatibility is added, standard.
RC F
The new Track Edition is out to prove Lexus' performance cred. It's most obvious feature, a massive rear wing, is designed, along with mutiple other tweaks, to reduce lift at high speeds, keeping the RC F Track Edition planted on the race track. Weight reduction was the other main goal of the new Track Edition. Over 120 pounds are removed from the Track Edition compared to the standard model, which is itself 50 pounds lighter than last year. A carbon fiber hood and roof contribute, while also lowering the center of gravity and improving weight balance. Carbon ceramic brakes (a first for the RC line) and forged wheels remove over 50 pounds, where it matters most: unsprung weight. The ceramic rotors are also much more resistant to wear and heat fade, though they are considerably more expensive to replace. Titanium bits for the exhaust system round out the stellar weight loss efforts. All Track models come with a red leather interior and are offered in two exterior colors: white and matte gray (pictured).
All RC F models get a general refresh, including an impressive 50 pound weight loss (refreshed models usually weigh more). The openings to the sides of the grille are larger to increase cooling. Optional triple-LED headlights have a new design. The side sills are more agreessive and feature a solid line near the bottom of the car. In the rear the bumper is reshaped and the taillight deisgn is new.
Through increases in intake efficiency the 5.0-liter non-turbo V8 gets 5 more horsepower and 6 more pound-feet of torque, for a total, respectively of 472 and 395. The bushings in the steering and subframes are much stiffer, contrubuting to better steering response and handling.
On the fence? The performance package adds the carbon fiber roof, front spoiler and torque vectoring rear differential at a $20,500 savings over the full Track Edition. To sweeten the pot, it includes the Premium Package, with blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, driver's memory, auto-dimming outside mirrors, rear-seat center console with cupholders, a trunk pass-through, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel and leather-trimmed interior.
Rain-sensitive wipers are now standard. Power tilt and telescoping wheel are made optional and a manual version is standard. Also changed from standard to optional: rear seat center console with cupholders, rear seat trunk pass-through, rear seat armrest.
RX and RXL
RX models get a whole new grille and frontal treatment. The new grille is still the over-sized spindle, but it replaces slats with a much more intricatediamond pattern. The side openings in the front are larger and lose their borders. The optional triple-LED headlights are thinner. A new 18-inch wheel design is standard. The rear gets a redsigned bumper and new L-shaped taillights. Two new colors are offered: Moonbeam Beige Metallic and Nori Green Pearl.
Android Auto joins Alexa and Apple CarPlay as standard.
The suspension gets refinements: lighter anti-sway bars, retuned shocks and a device that dampens out higher vibrations all act together to make the ride more supple and improve the responsiveness of the steering. Active corner braking will help improve turn-in, the initial rotation of the RX into a turn. The chassis itself is stiffer, due to more welds and adhesives.
The main display has been moved closer to the driver by five-and-a-half inches. This should reduce driver distraction. Adding 2 USB charging ports brings the total to 6.
A hands-free tailgate is now optional, allowing you to open or close the cargo door with a kick. The old system, which only allowed hands free operation by holding your hand near the rear badge, was not very hands-free (or was it?) and did not allow for closing the door: you had to press a button for that.
Lexus Safety System + is upgraded to version 2.0, adding Road Sign Assist, which can alert you to changes in speed limits and other information gleened by video camera from signs you may have missed. Lane Keep Assist makes way for Lane Tracing Assit, a more sophisticated method of keeping between the dotted lines.
UX
Android Auto functionality is added, standard. The power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with memory is no longer available.