Lexus Adds Black Line Special Edition to RX

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

It is not inaccurate to describe the original Lexus RX as the inflection point for today’s assortment of luxury crossovers smothering our roads like wild kudzu. For 2025, the brand is adding to the range.


Off the hop is a Black Line Special Edition, showing up as an option to be layered on top of the RX 500h F Sport Performance model. Yes, that is its official nomenclature. As one would expect of such a bundle, checking the box brings Incognito (read: gray, also new for this year) as the exterior hue paired with a yaffle of black exterior styling touches.

Yes, those are orange brake calipers peeking out from behind inky 21-inch wheels. We don’t need to point out that type of detail is usually the domain of a brand like Dodge and is a first for the RX. We don’t hate it. Looking further into the cabin we find a black interior accented with gray stitching, a decision which neatly misses the opportunity to deploy orange stitching to match those brake calipers.

An additional trim in the hopper for 2025 is an F Sport Design, available on the RX 350 and RX 350h. This choice pairs gear such as the F Sport front fascia and grille treatment with the likes of gloss black wheels and open-pore wood trim on the interior. In other words, a good remix of parts and pieces already on the shelf. In total, the RX is now available in no fewer than seven grades plus layered packages like the Black Line. Four powertrain options are on tap, meaning anyone in a Lexus showroom is spoilt for choice.


Surprising no one, the RX is a hugely important model for Lexus, selling to the tune of 54,955 units through the first half of this year. That is a sum which accounts for nearly a third of the 167,211 Lexus vehicles sold during that time. The 2025 RX is expected to arrive in dealerships later this year. Pricing will be available at a later date.


[Image: Nissan]

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Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

More by Matthew Guy

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  • Gustavo Woltmann Gustavo Woltmann on Aug 24, 2024
    Honestly, I would love to see some more changes to the design of this car
  • Michael S6 Michael S6 on Aug 24, 2024
    My wife and I test drove the RX 350 and 350h. Very unimpressed. Noisy engine, so so ride, and outside style that is had to love. The previous RX's were known for a silky engine and ride and that has been lost. All you get for your money is Lexus reliability and ugly styling. Will take a BMW X5 over this any day.
  • Scott Did they start at Clarkson's Farm? (No other questions matter...)
  • Carfan94 According to Wikipedia the Highlander went into production in November 2000. Inaccuracy much?
  • MaintenanceCosts I have a 2016 with the late and very much missed V6 hybrid powertrain. It’s as interesting to drive as a toaster, but I can’t deny that it just does everything we want it to do without ever complaining, despite relentless neglect (at least cosmetic neglect; it’s well maintained mechanically). It’s perfectly happy taking the kids to school or carrying all of us and our luggage over 10,000-foot passes at 85 mph. Very fit for purpose.
  • Bd2 Santa Fe is so much better because its Hyundai
  • 28-Cars-Later M'eh. The Toyota Harrier is really what got the fail going in 1998, this was merely the Toyota equivalent using it's US platform and operations. This and the Harrier by themselves I don't think are bad per se, but variety is the spice of life and we lost that a while back in car choices *because* of this and the Harrier.
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