 | Positives: More upscale looks but still very RX, improved interior ergonomics and style, excellent infotainment system, comfortable seating. |
 | Negatives: Not-so-thrilling to drive, mediocre acceleration. |
 | Bottom Line: The RX 350 shows off what Lexus does best. The styling, build quality, materials, and comfort are all top shelf, and finally the infotainment system is commensurate. Just don't look for thrills behind the wheel. |
Driving Experience
You can't alienate the mainstream when it comes to your bread-and-butter vehicle and the redesigned RX doesn't change its driving formula that much. The new turbo four engine that replaces the V6 is smoother, but in base form, it's not a rocket, nor is the chassis up to pushing the RX 350 hard into corners with a rapid exit. It does, however, provide a comfy and composed ride. Even in F Sport Performance trim
Ride Quality: The RX 350 F Sport Performance is firmer than stock, but it still offers a very smooth ride of just about any surface.
Acceleration: A 0-60 time of 7.3 seconds won't set your hair on fire, especially when an Alfa Stelvio Q4 will do it two seconds quicker. At least the RX 350 doesn't have a CVT, but the shifting feels rough at times, not very Lexus-like.
Braking: Brake modulation is good, and there are no dead spots. Braking distances
Steering: The steering is nicely responsive but quite numb with virtually no feedback coming through the wheel, very different from the BMW X3 and the Alfa Stelvio.
Handling: The upgraded suspension in the F Sport Performance provides a bit more control, but there's still noticeable body roll in the corners.
Technology
The RX's touchscreen is one of the better ones in the industry, far better than the one it replaces. The graphics are crisp, and the responsiveness is much-improved. Perhaps, most of all, that insipid touchpad is gone.
Infotainment System: The 14.0-inch touchscreen is bigger than the last model's larges 12.3-inchs screen. It's vivid, attractive, easy to read, and it's also canted toward the driver making it easy to reach. The new OS is also remarkably good. It takes some adjustment to get used to it, but it's echelons up from the last system in pretty much every way. Pairing a smartphone with Bluetooth is quick and easy.
Controls: The physical climate control knobs and audio power/volume knob are embedded into the screen. It's a great hybridization of the two, and Lexus nailed it this time. It takes some getting used to, but everything works far better than before. We also love the physical shift knob and the steering wheel controls. The blank touchpads and corresponding head-up display visual controls take some getting used to, but they've grown on us. The electronic door latches might mystify first-time passengers, but they are pretty slick and quite useful.
Styling
The RX has evolved nicely, and the redesign gives the RX some much-needed refinement, both inside and out. It's still very RX with its creases and floating roof, but the evolution has done wonders for the 5th-generation crossover. The result is the best-looking RX to date.
Front: We really like what Lexus did with the RX's most polarizing feature, the spindle grille. Rather than a large, silver framed number, the new RX gets a mesh pattern that melds with the body-colored nose, and the lattice mesh patter appears to creep past the edges thanks to an essentially frameless grille.
Rear: The full-width LED taillights look amazing there, as does the subtle LEXUS lettering below the crease of the liftgate. The contours and creases mimick the front end, but it provides a clean but distinct look. Even the mesh trim above the reflectors are subtle but stylish.
Profile: From the side view, the RX manages to keep the distinct tail section with its floating roof. The proportions are nice, and the body creases are tasteful. The dark chrome wheels look fantastic.
Cabin: The RX's cabin is wonderful. None of it looks or feels cheap, and the modern but not minimalist styling works wonders, and the ergonomics are excellent. We laud Lexus for the patterned suede on the door card that looks and feels rich.
Comfort
The RX has one of the best interiors in the segment when it comes to occupant comfort. The F Sport seats improve on that with added bolstering and width. Soft touch materials abound, and ergonomics are excellent.
Front Seats: Lexus does front seats very well, and the RX F Sport Performance proves that. There's ample cushioning and bolstering, and the seatbacks are wide and accommodating. NuLuxe isn't leather, but it's the closest we've experienced.
Rear Seats: The second-row seats are comfortable in all positions, but the center cushion is on the flat side. The legroom stands at 37.4 inches, about half an inch less than the previous RX, but if the front occupants don't send their seats all the way back, the outboard positions are pretty good.
NVH (noise/vibration/harshness): The RX has excellent sound deadening, even with the bigger wheels and tires in the F Sport Performance trim. Build quality is superb, and we didn't hear any rattles or creaks.
Visibility: The seating position in the RX is very good, and the sloping hood allows for good sightlines when maneuvering in tight spots. The C-pillar is thick and raked, so it's tough to see out the rear sides. The 360 camera helps at lower speeds, but you definitely have to make use of properly positioned side mirrors in traffic.
Climate: We wish the center stack vents were a bit larger, but the air movement is still pretty good, and the system works well. The heated seats in both rows are excellent, and they activate quickly. Adjustability is also very good.
Safety
The RX has always been a safe vehicle, and it does very well in more rigorous testing by the IIHS. While it's not perfect, the RX does provide one of the best safety feature sets in the business.
IIHS Rating: The RX earns the Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2024 with a demerit of "poor" for the Moderate overlap front test.
NHTSA Rating: Not tested.
Standard Tech: The RX comes standard with the excellent Lexus Safety Sense 3.0 which incldes Pre-Collision System With Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert w/ Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Intelligent High Beams. Additional standard safety equipment includes Blind Spot Monitor w/ Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Brake Assist w/ Smart Stop Technology, Intuitive Parking Assist w/ Auto Braking, and Digital Latch w/ Safe Exit Assist.
Optional Tech: Our tester came with the optional Traffic Jam Assist that uses the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance together in order to keep your RX a safe distance from the car in front and centered in the lane from side-to-side.
Storage/Cargo
While the RX isn't the biggest luggage eater in the segment, it does provide solid cargo space. The interior also has some smart small storage item options that make everyday driving easier. We like what they did with the center console space, especially, and it's significantly better than the 4th-generation.
Storage Space: There's a retractable lid cubby that pretty big. It houses the wireless charging deck on the left and a large storage area on the right. The small deck above is good for smaller gear items. Door pockets, cupholders, and the center armest compartment area also decently sized.
Cargo Room: The RX has 29.6 cubic feet behind row two and 46.2 with the seats folded flat. It's not as capacious as the BMW X3, Audi Q5, or the Genesis GV70, but it's ample enough for a weekend of gear and a big load of groceries.
Fuel Economy
24 mpg combined isn't superb these days, and for a turbo-four, it's not exactly impressive. We'd say the fuel economy is middle-of-the-road. If you want better numbers, you have to pay more for the hybrid or PHEV.
Observed: 21.8 mpg.
Distance Driven: 247 miles.
Audio
Mark Levinson's premium systems in most Lexus vehicles continue to be some of the industry's best. The optional system here costs a substantial $2,265, but it comes with the upsized touchscreen navigation, too. It sounds awesome and exhibits no distortion.
Final Thoughts
The RX does so much so well. It looks fantastic inside and out, provides tremendous safety, and near-peerless comfort. Finally, the in-car tech is up to snuff. What leaves something to be desired are the driving dynamics, even in the F Sport Performance. It's just not very rewarding to drive, best not just by its peers but by far less expensive vehicles like the Mazda CX-50 and the Ford Bronco Sport. Overall, though, the 7th-generation RX is a people pleasure that looks and feels the part of a great luxury crossover. Consider the mantle passed down.