Local market restricting to mild hybrid editions.

HYBRID has become the sole the pathway for a sports utility popular with Lexus customers, but the RX that makes most electric advancement isn’t coming.

In announcing intent to take the fifth generation of its most popular sports utility, Lexus NZ has also spelled out that the RX450+ version which has ability to plug into the mains for replenishment is not part of the local market portfolio.

The local distributor is taking two editions that continue with a mild hybrid drivetrain. This will offer in base 350h and top-end 500h configurations, the first with a normally-aspirated 2.5-litre and the other with a turbocharged 2.4.

A part of the Lexus range since 1998, the new generation was revealed globally today and is seemingly set to hit New Zealand later in the year.

It is built on the new 'GA-K' platform, which also underpins the slightly smaller Lexus NX.

That new architecture provides an overall weight reduction of 90kg, increases passenger space and allows for the plug-in hybrid powertrain, which marries to an electric motor coupled with an 18.1kWh battery and appears capable of an electric driving range of around 60 kilometres.

Maximum power output for the RX350h is 2288kW while the RX500h makes 276kW.

Both models are all-wheel-drive. RX500h in F Sport guise has a more sophisticated DIRECT4 system, with rear-wheel steering. This setup is claimed to give the car greater stability during direction changes at higher speeds. The RX 500h also has larger brakes to rein in that performance.

Overall dimensions of the new car are similar to the model it replaces, albeit with a minor reduction in overall height. Nonetheless, there's a 60mm stretch between the wheels and a track width increase of 15mm. More noticeable is the striking new design, which blends the sharp signature lines with a new grille that appears to mesh with the car's body more organically.

Unlike its predecessor, there are no plans for an extended version with a third row of seats, but the interior has smartened up. The dashboard now gets a digital instrument cluster, colour head-up display and a generously proportioned 14-inch touchscreen incorporating a new infotainment system that supports wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.

The RX has been the most popular NZ-new Lexus sports utility for New Zealand, with 2632 units sold since the nameplate arrived in 2003.