2023 Lexus RX

Pros

• A good mix of how well it works and how well it works
• Better structure and better interior design
• Seats that are both comfortable and roomy
• Technology that helps you drive that is both reliable and flexible

Cons

• The new entertainment system is more challenging to use than I thought.
• The controls on the steering wheel are hard to use because you have to touch them.
• The ride in F Sport Handling is too firm.

How fast does the RX 350 go? The F Sport Handling trim level was on the car we used as a test. Einstein is getting ready to meet up. That is faster than its V6-powered predecessor, slower than the four-cylinder Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, and more than two seconds slower than the six-cylinder Genesis GV80 and GLE 450. Customers who want more power should get the RX 500h instead of the RX 350 because the RX 350 doesn’t have an optional engine.

At 132 feet, emergency stops from 60 miles per hour are better than what the competition can do. Still, the RX’s firm and sensitive brake pedal makes it easy to control in various situations on the street. Even though the F Sport version has a suspension tuned for sport, the RX could be more sporty on a back road. The RX’s capable chassis makes driving easy, but the F Sport offers more.

Buyers don’t need to worry that the car has no V6 engine. The 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine has enough power for daily driving, and the eight-speed automatic transmission makes gear changes quickly and accurately. This drivetrain is very up-to-date.

How nice is the RX 350 to ride in? Our test car was the F Sport Handling model, with 21-inch wheels and a sport-tuned, adaptive suspension. The F Sport wasn’t good for the previous-generation RX because it had a ride that needed to be more stiff and improved handling in any obvious way. Some buyers may still find it a bit stiff, but this new version of F Sport has a better balance overall. Also, the seats in the F Sport are different. They are more robust but still soft and comfortable, like the seats in a regular RX. The back seats of our test RX had a better shape and more support than average, and they heated and cooled quickly.

Most ways to control the temperature are easy to use and get to. Even though we thought the middle vents were too low to work well on a hot day, the three-zone climate system did a great job keeping the temperature the same. Inside, there wasn’t much or any noise from the wind, but there was a lot more tire hum than we expected. Noise levels inside are usually low.

How does the inside look? Lexus pays a lot of attention to detail, but the inside of the RX has some confusing and sometimes annoying design choices. The 14-inch touchscreen display stands out because it looks great and responds quickly. The RX has a beautiful new interior, but most controls are easy to figure out, and there isn’t a steep learning curve. The clear backup camera and, if available, the surround-view video system are two more features of the large center screen. It makes it easier to move the RX in tight places.

Still, the shift lever works in the same strange way as the shifter in a Toyota Prius, which made us choose neutral when we thought we were in drive. Another thing that can be annoying is that the buttons on the steering wheel need to be labeled. Even though Lexus made them smartly flexible, you can only see what they can do on the head-up display, and even simple tasks require too much focus.

Even though the back seats of the Acura MDX don’t have as much legroom as the front seats, most adults will be fine. The driving position of the RX can be changed easily to fit a wide range of body types. There is little room for taller passengers’ heads in the back.

How good is the tech? Our test vehicle had a 14-inch display that caught our eye. People like the fast responses and clear, easy-to-read graphics, but the menu structure could be better set up. Our test vehicle also had a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. It is mighty and precise if you have the money to upgrade.

Surprisingly, navigation is only built into some smartphones, even though wireless connectivity is. After the free trial period, Lexus charges a fee to keep the cloud-based service going. Even in Southern California, which has a lot of people, we sometimes had trouble connecting to the cloud-based system. Even though the RX’s voice controls can do everything from changing the radio station to turning on the windscreen wipers, they were a little bit of a letdown, mainly because they were slow to respond.

The RX comes with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 as standard, which has almost all of the high-tech driver aids you’d expect. Even though the response times were slow, there were no false alarms.

What about putting things away? The RX has a lot of cargo space for a midsize SUV. The liftover is a little high, but there are no weird shapes or nooks in the cargo area. But with the seats up, the RX has less space than rivals like the Mercedes GLE (33.3 cubes) and the Acura MDX (39.1 cubes behind the second row of seats). The RX has much less space when all the seats are folded down than its rivals.

Inside, the middle console can be opened from either side, and there’s an intelligent storage bin with a wireless phone charger to keep your phone safe while you’re on the road. Even though the pockets on the front and back doors are pretty big, they are not lined with felt, so small items may rattle around inside. The RX’s second row should be easy to put a car seat in because the anchor points are easy to reach, and the backs of the rear seatbacks can be moved back and forth.

Towing is not a popular thing to do in the RX, so it is less impressive. The RX can only pull a maximum of 3,500 pounds when fully loaded. Competitors like the Mercedes GLE, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX are much better at towing than the Acura MDX.

How well does it use gasoline? Einstein is getting ready to meet up. The RX got 25.4 mpg on our 115-mile test loop, most of which was on the highway. That’s a lot better than the Mercedes GLE, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX, some of its competitors.

Is it an intelligent decision to invest in a Lexus RX 350? Even in our test car’s F Sport trim, the Lexus RX is a good value in this competitive segment because it is well made and comes with many excellent features as standard. The other best value in the class is the Acura MDX. The RX line starts at just over $50,000. But when you compare the Mercedes-Benz GLE to the Lexus RX in terms of features, the value of the Lexus RX stands out.

Standard Lexus warranties include one covering the vehicle from bumper to bumper for four years or 50,000 miles and one covering the powertrain for six years or 70,000 miles. Complimentary maintenance is only available for one year, but you can get roadside assistance for four years and unlimited miles.

Even though the RX has a new, sleek look, you don’t have to worry that it won’t be as quiet and pleasant as other Lexus cars. The RX is a much-changed version of what it used to be. The engine is more responsive without making driving less fun, and technology improves faster.

Even though the RX has some problems, mainly with its technology, and we’re only partially sold on the F Sport version, it’s still a much better and more attractive choice with no significant problems. Even though it’s not very fun to drive, the RX is an excellent place to spend time and does everything it sets out to do well.

There are different trim levels for the new 2023 Lexus RX 350, but the Premium+ AWD is an excellent mix of luxury, efficiency, performance, technology, and value. Some changes that make the car more comfortable are heated steering wheels, perforated leather seats, and a new infotainment system with a giant touchscreen.

Lexus RX 350 model

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 is available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive and is powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. It is offered in four trim levels: base, premium, premium+, and luxury. There is also an F Sport Handling model, which provides more exhilarating driving dynamics.