The Lexus RX comes with one of two different powertrains. The RX 350 is powered by a smooth 3.5L V6 engine and produces 295 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. With this engine, 60 mph arrives in under eight seconds, and the RX 350 achieves 27 mpg on the highway in front-wheel drive trim. The RX 450h combines a traditional gasoline engine with an electric motor for a total of 308 horsepower and 274 lb-ft of torque. Highway fuel economy climbs as high as 31 mpg for with the only option of all-wheel drive. The transmission available are an 8-speed automatic with the gasoline only engine, and a CVT with the hybrid version. All-wheel drive is optional on the RX and RXL, and standard on the RXh and RXhL.
There are three version of the RX: Base, F Sport Appearance, and F Sport Handling. The RX base comes well equipped with paddle shifter, power liftgate, reverse tilt down heated mirrors, 18-inch aluminum wheels, 10 airbags, auto-dimming rearview mirror, 8-way power front seats, leatherette seats, cargo cover, dual-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio, 9-speakers, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration with audio streaming, 8-inch touch screen, 6 USB ports, proximity keyless entry with push start button, remote start, vehicle system with tracker, leather steering wheel with power tilting and telescoping, power windows with 1-touch up and down, and rain sensing wipers. Available safety features across all models include the Lexus Safety System+, a Pre-Collision forward collision automated braking and pedestrian detection system, a rear collision waring, a driver attention alert, a traffic sign recognition, a Lane Departure Alert with steering assist, Vehicle Sway Warning, a rear-view camera, All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with traffic stop-go and Intelligent High Beam automatic LED headlights.
The RXL is offered in two levels, Base and Luxury. The Base is similar features as the RX adding third row seats, the Luxury adds a few more items such as sunroof, adjustable sport suspension, 20-inch wheels, leather heated and cooled 10-way power seats, 3 driver memory for seat/mirror/steering column, ambient lighting, illuminated door scuff plates, 8-inch driver gauge cluster, heated steering wheel with auto tilt-away, and rear sun blinds.
Both the RX 350 and the RX 450h are also available in both F SPORT. F SPORT versions further enhance both the interior and exterior styling, while also tightening up the handling. Interestingly, the RXL shares its wheelbase with the two-row version RX, meaning it should be similarly maneuverable. However, it is a few inches longer and the roofline slopes less steeply to create just a bit more headroom for rear seat passengers.
The F SPORT packages add an 8-inch LCD display instrument cluster, adjustable sport suspension with ride control, power folding mirrors, unique quilted seats, 3 driver seat memory, ambient lighting, illuminated door scuff plates, interior aluminum trim accents and drilled aluminum pedals. Outside, the F SPORT gets a blacked-out grill, plus exclusive 20-inch wheels.
Even though the RX family has an extensive list of features drivers can enhance their experience with some of these packages, Premium, Luxury, Navigation, Navigation/Mark Levinson, Cold Weather with Headlamp Leveling, Cold Weather without Headlamp Leveling, and Towing Prep.
Bold Styling
Available All-wheel Drive
SUV Pretensions
Comfortable Ride
Premium Interior Quality
Modern And Refined Engine Options
Hybrid Model
The Lexus RX carries over into the 2022 model year with minimal changes including standard fog lamps and 3 new colors. The Black Line Special Edition is back with limited production.
The Lexus RX has the savvy and ability to do it all. It's both luxurious and sporty, all while maintaining an air of practicality. Lexus made the choice to sell the standard RX with only two rows of seats. The upshot is that the interior of the Lexus RX feels cavernous, offering up the kind of rear seat legroom that's more commonly found in luxury cars. All this, despite still offering plenty of cargo space behind the rear seats. However, for those that need more seating, a three row RXL version was recently introduced, though exterior dimensions remain impressively close to the slightly smaller RX. Engine options are powerful and smooth, while its ample ground clearance allows for light off road duty when needed. The Lexus RX competes with other SUVs on the market from luxury manufacturers like BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
