Lexus ’s RX350 F Sport is a family SUV with a dash of spice. Sport seats, large wheels and bespoke styling cues set it apart from the standard model.
Our test car was the F Sport model, which is more expensive than the standard Luxury model. For the extra buck, top-priced extras include adaptive sports suspension, adaptive high-beam headlights, a 360-degree camera, a color head-up display, sports seats, an excellent 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and a partially digital instrument cluster. It's cheaper than the entry-level diesel-powered models of its German rivals, and matches or betters them. The cabin is nicely appointed but lacks the Germans' high-tech digital screens. Lexus' Encore aftersales program offers great value, including free loaner service while your car is serviced, among other benefits. However, the four-year/100,000km warranty is sub-par and the capped service plans are short-term and expensive.
The Lexus RX 350 series is cheaper and better equipped than the competition.
The RX350's cabin has great features and nice touches, including second-row sunshades, six USB outlets and rear passenger air vents. Despite the F Sport's sportier suspension tune, it remained quiet and comfortable on the inner city streets passing through the twine. On hot summer days, the front seats are heated and cooled, and air conditioning quickly cools the cabin. The sliding pad for navigating the on-screen menus is fun and distracting - it's easier to use voice commands and steering wheel buttons or the center touchscreen. Overall, the RX is a great place to add highway mileage.
The cabin is a bit old-fashioned, but beautifully executed.
Updates late last year brought Lexus' latest advancements in driver-assistance technology. In addition to ten airbags to protect occupants, the RX also features automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert with braking. LED headlights automatically block oncoming vehicles from the car's high beams on the highway. Everything works well without too much driver interference. For example, if you're wandering in your lane, the steering wheel simply vibrates in your hands instead of beeping and alerting.
RX 350 features all the latest driver assistance technology.
Lexus has never been on the cutting edge when it comes to driving pleasure, but the RX is one of the more capable SUVs on the road. It strikes a good balance between sportiness in corners and a comfortable, relaxed ride on the highway. The powerful V6 and silky-smooth 8-speed transmission combine to deliver a quiet, effortless ride with plenty of power for passing. The only bummer is the petrol dispenser - which can be a bit thirsty around town, especially compared to rival diesel offerings. It's a shame the hybrid RX450h is more expensive on the road.
This soft-roader has a powerful V6 under the hood.
Alternatives
Audi Q7 45 TDI, The 3.0-liter diesel has less power but more torque and lower fuel consumption. The well-appointed cab looks more modern with a digital readout in front of the driver.
BMW X5 25d, So the entry-level diesel is the closer competitor. Features a more modern looking cabin, reasonable performance and fuel efficiency .
Mercedes · Mercedes-Benz GLE 300d, is expensive, but makes up for it with an elegant cabin and a powerful, frugal diesel engine. It feels less refined than the Lexus over bumps.
The RX350 is a bit old-school, but it offers the comfort and quality you'd expect from a luxury SUV at a relatively high price.
