Overview & Reviews

The Lexus RX 350 is a vehicle that's comfortable in its own metal. And why wouldn't it be? This midsize luxury crossover SUV has long been a consumer favorite thanks to its plush ride, spacious interior, strong reliability record and appealing high-tech features. While the RX 350 doesn't promise much in the way of driving passion, its combination of comfort and convenience is hard to top in a five-passenger luxury crossover. It also commands lofty resale values due to that sterling Lexus reputation.

Offering either front- or all-wheel drive, the RX 350 dates back to 2007, when it was introduced as a continuation of the RX 330. It has received significant upgrades in cabin technology over the years, but a generous standard features list and excellent build quality are a given with any Lexus RX 350. Unless you need the versatility of a third-row seat, this Lexus is likely to be a compelling proposition.

User Reviews:

• 

  F Sport. Think twice before purchasing this car. - 2015 Lexus RX 350
  By Lee Hagen - February 24 - 1:02 am

  My wife wanted a Lexus... Bad. I tried talking her out if it but she wouldnt listen. When it came time to pick one out, I made the mistake of pushing for the F Sport because it was much better looking than the rolled under front bumper standard version. The big problem with the F Sport is the ride and the transmission. We live in Wisconsin and test drove the car in the summer on decent roads. The ride is stiff... really stiff. I was concerned but the style got in the way of my judgement. Now that its winter and the roads are crap (you know what I mean if you live here), I hate the ride. Our subdivision is older and the heaving on the street makes the car feel like youre riding a bucking bronco. I actually drive on the wrong side of the street in some places to avoid the bumps. The stiffness has gotten old in a hurry. The other issue is the transmission. Its a joke. Why on earth would Lexus put in a eight speed tranny when theyve programmed it to get into top gear as soon as possible? First gear is way too low. You step on the throttle from a stop and if you dont ease back to almost an idle position, it over-accelerates and makes it feel like youve mashed the pedal to the floor. Theres a very fine line between idling away from a stop and lunging up to second gear. Then it shifts...shifts...shifts... and by the time your going twenty miles an hour... youre in fifth gear. Hit forty... youre in eighth. The engineers have programmed the trans to get into top gear as soon as possible to save fuel. Then comes the downshift issue. You get off the freeway, slow to thirty, as you step on the throttle to accelerate off, it doesnt downshift. You press harder and it still wont downshift. Not until you really give it some serious throttle, it will finally decide to downshift. The other annoying thing is... youre moving along at 70 and you hit a headwind, or the road heads uphill. It immediately downshifts as soon as you give it the hint of more throttle. Oh... one more transmission programming oversight. The paddle shifters. Youre driving along at 55, you apply throttle to accelerate, it wont downshift as usual, you pull the left lever to downshift... and it goes from eighth to fifth. Whats up with that? I want seventh, then sixth. Dumb. On the good side... Styling is nice, considering these cars are so cluttered trying to find their identity. Interior is very nice. Stereo is good. Seats have everything including the drivers side moves back when you shut it off. Its quiet. Motor goes well (when you really press on the gas) On the not so good side... For a $53,000 car, the steering wheel isnt heated, its hard and has no grip at all. The exhaust is annoyingly loud (another brilliant marketing move just for egotists). The car developed an rattle in the left front fender that took a couple trips to the dealer before the they found the problem. They thought I was nuts after multiple complaints and in the end my analysis was spot on. The tire pressure monitor had problems after a few thousand miles and weve been back twice to balance and rotate the tires trying to eliminate noise. Hasnt helped. To me, the cars a loser. I pushed hard for the Pathfinder but lost out. My wife keeps a stiff upper lip and says she likes it. I guess thats what counts in the end. I bet its gone at the end of the lease.

• 

  My old one was better - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By Unhappy buyer - February 5 - 1:53 pm

  I had written in before when we first got this car about how uncomfortable the seats were. I should have listened to the prior posters. We finally realized that no amount of breaking the car in would make the seats comfortable so we had to take a loss and got rid of the car. Lexus needs to realize that quality and comfort counts and that it is not about technology and gadgets. My 2007 was better than the 2010. If you have a lease ending on the older model I would not recommend the new one. Perhaps Lexus will fix the issues with this SUV and go back to the luxury, comfort and quality it was known for. I would not recommend this SUV.

• 

  Lexus, please FIX drone noise and vibration issue! - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By viwami77 - November 11 - 2:04 pm

  GOOD: Sharp design and nice looking inside and out. Quality interior materials. No squeaking noises. Roomy interior, luxury feel. Good base stereo. BAD: Second year in production, and common issue with annoying drone noise + vibration still not fixed! Hard to believe!!! Transition is set for maximum mpg and hardly forcing higher gears / lower rpms causing drone noise and vibration coming from inadequately designed exhaust system while slow incline on higher gear/lower rpms. Dealer said: it is normal characteristic of the new RXs. 2016 and 2017 are affected, no fix until now (end of January 2018). Illogical entertainment system, very confusing to navigate, not intuitive at all. No manual on/off controls for AC. Slow throttle respond. Slow acceleration. Slow rear gate. Heavy doors. Voice recognition does not understand me most of the time. Too soft power-steering, feels like a driver has no 100% control. Too soft suspension (my is 2WD not F-Sport model) feels unstable in curves. Transition shifting is strange, sometimes is not sure what gear should choose. Definitely not what I expected form Lexus and 50,000.00. Our other cars: 2011 Outback 2.5 is quiet and smooth like years ago while dealer delivery, and absolutely outstanding 2017 F-Pace diesel - pleasure and fun to drive with no single issue. If you just need a machine to move you from point A to B, than RX is for you, but if you are "car person" and having enjoyment while driving....look elsewhere!

• 

  SoccerMomMobile - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By Arnie - August 7 - 8:03 am

  This vehicle is designed for politically correct soccer moms. They have eliminated the ash-tray, lighter and change holder. For just the front seat (1 driver, 1 passenger), they now have 3 cup holders and spaces for an almost infinite number of water bottles. There is no outlet for a cellphone charger or radar-detector. The center armrest is way too far back to rest anything but your right elbow on. Whoever designed this clunker must be related to the guy who changed the formula in coca-cola.

• 

  Follow Up Of November Purchase of RX350 - 2011 Lexus RX 350
  By maggiemae1 - May 30 - 5:20 pm

  Since my initial review, the following has happened to my RX350. Passenger side window did not work and had to have the entire motor and electrical replaced. My bumper has popped off the body of the car not once, but twice. I have to have a new bumper ordered, painted and installed on a car with less than 10,000 miles. The caps on the windshield wipers have had to be replaced. I cant believe Lexus put its badge on this dog. Unfortunately I own this vehicle.

• 

  GARBAGE vehicle - 2015 Lexus RX 350
  By dpp12345 - March 10 - 11:19 pm

  Navigation system did not show road speed limit, lexus customer service do not stand behind product, very poor customer service.and also in navigation system only work with voice activated, in order to search point of destination you must have to pull over car , then you can search, so i am caring after market navigation system with me, What a rip off $2000. I am going back to Acura MDX. which is not only cheaper but best reliable, comfortable. easy to handle.

• 

  Great Ride - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By C H Harper - July 9 - 3:20 pm

  Great SUV, RX has come a long way,but the original series was a much better handling for urban driving. Have a 2015 and its great but not as nimble as the older models. Recommend RX. Its so dependable and Dealers are excellent. Gas mileage is a not as good as some others in the same price range. Hopefully. Lexus IS working on this limitation. RXs perform much better on premium fuel. Gas mileage is not changed much but the performance is much improved.

• 

  Disapointed - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By Jayson - June 24 - 11:55 am

  This car is not as Refined as the past RX SUV. The Shifting is rough and the 8 speed Tranny is very Rough ,it seems like it is not sure sometime between 7 and 8. I think they should remap the Trans. I finally just use manual and use #7 and that stops all the up and back shifting for now. The engine is Very Loud and I hate that.I I really think Lexus should give is some help with these things. My Truck rides 100% better and quit too.

• 

  Buyers remorae - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By Carl Richards - April 14 - 7:06 am

  This is my 3rd RX 350. With each generation the navigation and other electronic controls get more complex and harder to use. For some reason instead of getting faster and more responsive over the years, the computer in this car is slower and less intuitive than the earlier models. It is on its way to the dealer for the second time because the screen has blacked out and now freezes on occasion. I pay for the traffic package and it is not unusual to drive 10 miles after starting the car for the traffic info to show on the screen. And compared to an app like Waze, it is very dumb and likely to lead you into a traffic jam and then cheerfully chirp "slow traffic." If i could get out of this lease, I would.

• 

  A big disappointment - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By David Smith - January 4 - 6:15 pm

  This is the second RX we have owned. We purchased this RX 350 all wheel drive new in Oct 2016 and wish we had our money back. The first one, many years ago, was really good. This one is a big disappointment. The Info system is just terrible. Voice recognition does not work, not at all, no matter how much training you do. The car seems to be less quite than in the past. Shifting is just strange from time to time. No trouble with it, but just not worth the money with all its faults. I recommend you look elsewhere.