AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING8/10
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Safety9/10
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PRACTICALITY9/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS9/10
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FEATURES9/10
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POWER7/10
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COMFORT7/10
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DRIVING FEEL7/10
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FUEL ECONOMY7/10
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VALUE9/10
The latest Lexus RX debuted last year, building on a strong reputation for quality, luxury, and long-term reliability.
Although it’s available with hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, the gas-only 2024 Lexus RX 350 is still a solid choice – and with good reason.
Styling: 8/10
While the RX’s shape is pretty typical for the segment, it’s arguably bolder overall in spite of a tamer take on the previously polarizing grille. At the back, an LED bar spans the entire width of the tailgate and makes a big statement at night. Like the previous RX, black trim on the C-pillar creates the illusion of a floating roof.
Safety: 9.5/10
Lexus’s advanced driver assistance systems standard on all RX 350 trims. There’s forward collision warning with automatic braking, left turn oncoming vehicle detection with braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, road sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and emergency steering assistance. (The radar sensor in the grille is heated – helpful during Canadian winters.)
The F Sport 3 package added to this tester includes auto-levelling triple-beam LED headlights, front cross-traffic alert, lane change assist, traffic jam assist, a driver distraction monitor, and surround-view cameras. For child seat installation, the RX has easily accessible LATCH anchors for the rear outboard seating positions.
The 2024 Lexus RX is rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Features: 9/10
All Lexus RX 350 trims come standard with heated and ventilated front seats with eight-way power adjustability and driver’s seat memory, a heated steering wheel, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, three-zone automatic climate control, steering wheel paddle shifters, rain-sensing wipers, and power folding mirrors.
For $15,500, the F Sport 3 package adds massive six-piston front brake calipers, 21-inch wheels, adjustable suspension, a head-up display, panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats that are power folding, a 14-inch infotainment screen, and 21-speaker stereo.
User-Friendliness: 9/10
The RX 350 is much more user-friendly than many Lexus offerings over the previous several years. The infotainment system features a large, bright, high-definition touchscreen that works well in all conditions. The climate controls are well-integrated into the bottom of the screen, with hard buttons and knobs for temperature and defrost settings.
With an emphasis on more straightforward menus, the infotainment system has less of a learning curve than competitor systems from the likes of BMW or Mercedes-Benz. However, the pressure-sensitive steering wheel controls are not the most responsive, with multiple button presses sometimes required to select the desired function.
The RX’s seating position excels with great forward sightlines; rearward visibility is about average. Entry and exit are easier than in a lower-slung sedan, for those with mobility challenges. Driver ergonomics are good, with no awkward reaches for any of the controls.
Practicality: 9/10
For drivers and families who don’t require a third row of seating, the five-passenger Lexus RX is the perfect size for daily life. There’s 838 L of cargo capacity behind the second row, which grows to 1,308 L with the seats folded. Head-, leg-, and shoulder room are right in line for a midsize SUV, with only a small percentile of taller adults feeling a squeeze when child seats are behind either front seat. Those in need of more space in a Lexus-badged SUV can look to the all-new TX that packs a third row of seats and more cargo room inside.
Comfort: 7/10
The F Sport package comes with drive modes that can adjust the firmness of the adaptive suspension. While sport mode may improve performance on a twisty backroad, ride quality does suffer noticeably on pothole-ridden city streets. In normal or eco modes, the RX still has a stiffer-than-expected ride with the upgraded suspension setup. By comparison, the RX’s Luxury or Executive packages will offer softer suspension with no performance pretenses; both setups are equally competent at providing a quiet cabin.
The red leather F Sport seats are supportive without having too much aggressive bolstering, which makes them better for long trips. The automatic settings for the heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats allow for set-it-and-forget-it functionality in addition to the three-zone automatic climate control.
Power: 7/10
With a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, this non-hybrid RX makes 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. While horsepower is down slightly compared to the V6 of old, torque is up by 49 lb-ft while also coming in at just 1,700 rpm. On the road, this translates to much more low-speed usability and reduces the need for the eight-speed automatic transmission to downshift. At the same time, the engine tends to run out of breath in the upper part of the rev range, where it’s not as lively as the V6. All trim levels of the RX 350 are rated to tow the same 1,585 kg (3,494 lb) as seen in previous years.
Driving Feel: 7/10
Despite the F Sport’s 21-inch wheels, firmer suspension, and massive six-piston front brakes, driving dynamics are still relatively muted. The brakes add a lot of stopping power and allow for great pedal feel, but the firmer suspension doesn’t elevate the handling more than it decreases the ride quality.
While the new engine would likely win in a drag race against the old V6, there’s a greater sense of refinement that’s missing here. While the new engine offers noticeably more oomph from a stop, it lacks some personality with its power delivery.
Fuel Economy: 7/10
Without hybrid capability, the RX 350 is the thirstiest choice in the RX lineup, with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) rating city, highway, and combined fuel consumption at 11.2, 8.4, and 9.9 L/100km, respectively. Observed fuel economy over one week of testing was 12.1 L/100km, mainly stemming from a series of short cold weather trips and remote starter use.
Premium fuel is now required, which wasn’t the case with the old V6.
Value: 9/10
With an as-tested price of $77,655, the fully loaded RX 350 is a decent deal in today’s inflationary economy. The fuel-miser RX 350h hybrid is only $2,000 more, although it loses engine output in the process. The higher-output RX 500h and RX 450h+ PHEV both creep into the $85,000 to $90,000 range, which make this version – and the hybrid that’s based on it – more appealing.
Compared to its peers, the RX offers more bang for the buck than the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, Volvo XC90, or BMW X5, but isn’t quite as nice overall. The Lexus is priced similarly to the larger, V6-powered Acura MDX and has better infotainment and interior design.
The Verdict
The 2024 Lexus RX 350 is a proper made-in-Canada solution to the two-row luxury crossover SUV. It’s best to skip the F Sport 3 Package, as the Executive package costs the same ($15,500) and better suits the RX 350’s personality by trading firm sportiness for more premium touches. It’s also more likely to avoid big dollar high-performance brake maintenance costs. While the move away from a six-cylinder engine has taken away some of its pizazz, its blend of luxury, user-friendly practicality, and manageable exterior size make it a good choice in its segment.
| Engine Displacement | 2.4L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo I4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 275 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 317 lb-ft @ 2,700 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | Fuel Economy 11.2 / 8.4 / 9.9 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 838 / 1,308 L seats up/down |
| Model Tested | 2024 Lexus RX 350 F Sport 3 |
| Base Price | $59,850 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,205 |
| Price as Tested | $77,655 |
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Optional Equipment
$15,500 – F Sport 3 Package
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