Lexus kills more petrol-only models in Australia

Lexus will have just three purely petrol-powered models in Australia come 2027, with the brand confirming it will axe the petrol RX350 and LS500 from its local lineup.

These are in addition to the NX350, which Lexus has confirmed it’s axing globally as part of a mid-life update for its mid-size SUV.

The axing of these three petrol-powered Lexus models will leave just three remaining in the local stable: the sporty LBX Morizo RR and the large GX550 and LX600 off-road SUVs. The Lexus LC was retired this year.

Lexus Australia says the axing of the RX350 and LS500 is in response to “customer preferences”.

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In 2025, the petrol-powered RX350 accounted for 15.6 per cent of total RX sales in 2025, which was a similar take rate to the petrol-powered NX (16.8 per cent).

It was a much more even split in the LS range, with the hybrid LS500h accounting for 53.9 per cent of sales. That said, Lexus shifted just 13 LS sedans in Australia last year.

The outgoing NX350 and RX350 both use a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 205kW of power and 430Nm of torque, mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

The ‘T24A-FTS’ engine was developed to replace Toyota’s naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine and was also used in Australia in the Toyota Kluger, before that model went hybrid-only in 2024.

It’s also used overseas in the SUV sold here as the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, however that model has remained diesel-only in Australia.

The engine’s removal from the Lexus NX and RX will leave just two applications locally, both of which also utilise a hybrid system: the Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance and the LM500h people mover.

It’s possible the RX, of which a facelifted version has been spied testing ahead of a potential debut this year or in 2027, may follow the NX in going hybrid- and plug-in hybrid-only in all markets.

With the RX350 axed, that leaves just RX350h and RX500h hybrid and RX450h+ plug-in hybrid variants of the brand’s popular large luxury crossover SUV in Australia.

The updated RX is also expected to receive a massively overhauled interior, like its smaller NX sibling, which will bring it in line with the new-generation ES sedan and new TZ electric SUV.

The LS is also set to receive an update, even though it’s been axed in the US, which is Lexus’ largest market.

“The Lexus LS will receive a minor technical update with updated vehicles due to go on sale in Australia towards the end of the year,” a Lexus Australia spokesperson told .

Japanese outlet Creative Trend reports the updated LS will be launched in Japan in September and will lose its petrol powertrain but receive an available panoramic glass roof and reinforced floor tunnel and vibration-absorbing material for the rear crossmember, the latter changes claimed to result in improved ride comfort and steering.

However, Creative Trend reports the updated LS will miss out on the latest generation of Lexus’ suite of active safety and driver-assist technology, which is called Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, and will also stick with its existing 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen instead of moving to the brand's new 14-inch screen which uses the new Arene software platform.

As mentioned, it will lose the twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 found in the outgoing LS500, with the only powertrain to be the 3.5-litre V6 found in the LS500h.

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This article was originally published from CarExpert and appears with permission.