2024 Lexus RX350 - The Perfect Midsize Luxury SUV!

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Thanks: Rolf Company

2024 Lexus RX
Starting at: $49.950

Highs: Modernized looks, luxurious interior, intuitive infotainment system.
Lows: Driving demeanor is rather snooze-worthy, turbo four lacks zoom, other compact luxury SUVs are simply more fun.
Verdict: Lexus's popular RX is a premium SUV with upscale styling, but its road manners are too relaxed for our tastes.

Overview

While other compact luxury crossovers take a sporty approach, the 2024 Lexus RX goes for a soft-riding, relaxed demeanor. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine is standard and makes 275 horsepower. A trio of hybrids are also offered and provide more oomph, but we review those models separately. If you're looking for something with a more spirited attitude, rivals such as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and the Porsche Macan are worth a look. If you're okay with what the RX delivers—a creamy ride, an upscale cabin, and a luxury presence, all traits it has been offering for several generations—then look no further. The cabin is spacious for both people and cargo, but if you're looking for a third row of seats, you'll need to look to the new TX SUV, which replaces the stretched RX-L in the Lexus lineup.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2024 RX350 comes standard with a 275-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is optional. On our first test drive, the turbo four failed to deliver notable performance, and we estimate it will deliver slightly slower acceleration than its 2022 analogue. Lexus had an opportunity to recast the new RX as a performer, but its chassis engineers regrettably chose not to dial in any additional cornering confidence. The RX350 is just as softly sprung and focused on luxury as the outgoing generation of RX, which will please faithful buyers but is unlikely to attract any driving enthusiasts.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

According to the EPA, the RX350 earned ratings of 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway for front-wheel-drive models. The all-wheel drive RX350 is good for 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. When we get a chance, we'll take the RX350 on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route and update this story with real-world test results. For more information about the RX's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The RX is offered exclusively as a two-row, five-seat SUV, which makes room above it for the new three-row TX. The RX's interior design is more modern than the last-generation model, with textured fabric sections on the upper door panels, rich-looking ambient lighting, and open-pore wood trim. Cargo space is generous behind the second-row seats, so there's plenty of space for a big load of groceries or several suitcases when road-tripping.