Buy a 2026 Lexus RX now or wait for the 2027 RX: what Orange County shoppers should know

Buy a 2026 Lexus RX now if you want to drive one home from Orange County stock at its published 2026 MSRP. Wait for the 2027 RX only if a change in its trims, price or equipment suits you better.

We sell the 2026 RX at Tustin Lexus, 45 Auto Center Drive, Tustin, CA 92782, and the Lexus RX is the model we are asking you to compare.

Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Tustin. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.

Buy a 2026 Lexus RX now unless a 2027 change matters to you

The 2026 RX starts at $52,775 for the RX 350 Standard FWD, and the lineup runs to $73,410 for the RX 450h+ Luxury AWD. If a 2027 change matters to you, it has to be a change you can name, such as a trim you want or a price you can check.

Start with the trim you want. The 2026 lineup has nineteen starting prices, so most buyers can match a budget to a trim before they ever sit in a car. Once you know the trim, the question of waiting becomes a question about that one trim.

What does a 2026 Lexus RX cost compared with the 2027 RX?

The 2026 RX starts at $52,775, and the F SPORT Design AWD starts at $58,880. The Premium+ AWD starts at $60,040, and the RX 450h+ Premium AWD starts at $66,780. These are Lexus’s own starting figures for the 2026 model year, and a figure belongs only to the trim it names. For 2027, Lexus lists the RX 350 Premium FWD at $55,450, the RX 350 F SPORT Design AWD at $59,380, the RX 350 Premium+ AWD at $60,540 and the RX 450h+ Premium AWD at $66,880, each including delivery, processing and handling (Lexus, 2027).

Sales tax adds to the price. In Orange County, the countywide combined rate is 7.750 percent, which is the 7.25 percent statewide rate plus a 0.50 percent district tax, and Tustin, where Tustin Lexus is located, is also 7.750 percent (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, California City and County Sales and Use Tax Rates, 2026). The rate follows the vehicle’s registration address, so a buyer registering in Santa Ana pays 9.250 percent instead.

Registration and title fees also apply. California charges a $15 transfer fee under Vehicle Code section 9255 to move a title to a new owner (California Department of Motor Vehicles, 2026). Its base vehicle registration fee under Vehicle Code section 9250.1 is $76 for original registration or renewal, and it is billed alongside a separate California Highway Patrol fee of $34 (California Department of Motor Vehicles, 2026).

Federal help is gone for either model. Under Internal Revenue Service rules, a vehicle acquired after Sept. 30, 2025 does not qualify for the New Clean Vehicle Credit (Internal Revenue Service, 2026). The state’s rebate program is closed to new applications, effective November 8, 2023 (Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, California Air Resources Board). So a 2026 or 2027 RX plug-in hybrid bought now gets no federal credit and no state rebate.

What trims does each model year of the Lexus RX come in?

The 2026 RX comes in nineteen priced trims, from the RX 350 Standard FWD at $52,775 to the RX 450h+ Luxury AWD at $73,410. For 2027, Lexus lists sixteen priced trims, with no Standard grade, from the RX 350 Premium FWD at $55,450 to the RX 450h+ Luxury AWD at $73,510, including delivery, processing and handling (Lexus, 2027).

The choice inside the 2026 lineup is mostly a choice of drivetrain and powertrain. The RX 350 comes front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The RX 350h comes in Standard AWD, Premium AWD, F SPORT Design AWD, Premium+ AWD and Luxury AWD. The plug-in RX 450h+ starts at $66,780 in Premium AWD and reaches $73,410 in Luxury AWD. Pick the powertrain first, then the trim, and the waiting question shrinks to one trim.

How do the 2026 and 2027 Lexus RX differ in equipment and color options?

On the 2026 entry trims, the RX 350 Standard FWD, Standard AWD and Premium FWD all carry wireless phone charging as standard equipment, and each makes 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque with seating for five. The RX 350h Standard AWD makes 246 horsepower.

If you are weighing a 2027 change in equipment, make it a specific item you can check on the trim you want. Then compare that item against the 2026 trim that carries it.

How do the 2026 and 2027 Lexus RX fuel economy, towing and warranty compare?

The 2026 RX 350 front-wheel drive is rated 22 city, 29 highway and 25 combined mpg. The RX 350h AWD is rated 37 city, 34 highway and 36 combined, and the RX 500h AWD is rated 27 city, 28 highway and 27 combined (EPA certified figures, 2026 model year).

Warranty coverage on the 2026 RX runs 48 months or 50,000 miles for basic coverage, 72 months or 70,000 miles for powertrain, and 72 months regardless of mileage for corrosion (Lexus, 2026 model year). Lexus’s own Roadside Assistance coverage runs 48 months from the in-service date, regardless of mileage.

How do the 2026 and 2027 Lexus RX line up side by side?

Every 2026 RX carries the same 48-month or 50,000-mile basic warranty and the same 72-month or 70,000-mile powertrain warranty (Lexus, 2026 model year).

Where can you buy the 2026 Lexus RX in Orange County?

Tustin Lexus sells new Lexus models, including the RX, and it is at 45 Auto Center Drive, Tustin, CA 92782.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start financing for a Lexus RX at Tustin Lexus?

Start with our secure online finance application, which is an application and not a pre-approval. We offer pre-owned loans, new Lexus financing, and Lexus leases, so you can compare a loan and a lease on the same RX.

Should I lease or buy a new Lexus RX?

We offer Lexus leases and new Lexus financing on new RX models, so you can compare both terms in one visit. Bring the monthly payment you can afford, and ask us to show the loan and the lease side by side.

What federal or state incentives apply to the RX plug-in hybrid?

None applies. The federal New Clean Vehicle Credit is not available for vehicles acquired after Sept. 30, 2025, and the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project is closed. Ask us to confirm the current status before you sign.

What is the difference between the RX hybrid and the RX plug-in hybrid?

The RX 350h AWD is rated 37 city, 34 highway and 36 combined mpg, and the RX 500h AWD is rated 27 city, 28 highway and 27 combined mpg (EPA certified figures, 2026 model year). The RX 450h+ is the plug-in, priced from $66,780 in Premium AWD. Compare its price and fuel rating with the RX 350h before you choose.

What should I ask any Lexus dealer before I buy or wait on an RX?

Ask whether the trim you want is in stock, and ask for the trade-in appraisal and the finance application terms in writing. Ask about the hours before you visit. You can reach our sales team Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Where is Tustin Lexus and when can I see an RX in person?

We are at 45 Auto Center Drive, Tustin, CA 92782. To see an RX, come in Monday through Saturday between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM, or on Sunday between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Service hours are Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Saturday the service center opens at 7:00 AM and closes at 5:30 PM, and it is closed Sunday.

Shop the Lexus RX at Tustin Lexus in central Orange County

Tustin Lexus is at 45 Auto Center Drive, Tustin, CA 92782, and we are open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Our online appraisal tool and secure finance application let you start the buying process before you come in.

In an August 2026 5-star Google review, Vivian B. wrote: “I had an excellent experience working with Kaela Blanco at Tustin Lexus. She was friendly, professional, patient, and very helpful throughout the entire car-buying process. Kaela took the time to answer all of my questions, explain everything clearly, and made me feel comfortable without ever being pushy. She truly went above and beyond to make the experience smooth and stress-free. I really appreciate her excellent customer service and professionalism. I highly recommend Kaela Blanco to anyone looking for a Toyota/Lexus and a great sales person. Thank you, Kaela, for making my car-buying experience such a positive one🙏🏻”

Our Google record, as of October 2026: 4.6 stars across 3,465 reviews; 87 in 100 of them are five-star.

Start with the trim you want, then visit Tustin Lexus with your list of questions.

Tustin Lexus answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Tustin showroom, or call (714) 368-3200.

Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Tustin Lexus for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.