Like many SUVs today, the Lexus RX offers a mix of both traditional combustion engines and hybrid powertrains. We tested and reviewed the plug-in hybrid RX 500h last year and while initially excited by its zero-emission prospect and sporty promise, we were left disappointed by its lack of focus. It neither offered the road comfort nor performance that we desired. So now we’re taking a look at the combustion end of the RX, the RX 350, to see if a less complicated powertrain makes for a better road companion.
The RX 350 sits at the bottom end of the range starting at $59,450, but the price quickly swells depending on which packages you choose. Our test vehicle was equipped with the F Sport 3 Package ($15,500), which adds amenities such as a 14-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a head-up display, and 360-degree camera views. In all, our RX 350 rang up at $74,950 before taxes and fees, far from cheap but the price still undercuts its Germanic rivals like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.
The RX 350 comes with a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. That’s considerably less power than the RX 500h’s 367 hp, but the RX 350 never feels lethargic or underwhelming. Still, there’s a brief lag before the turbo wakes up, and we sorely miss the departing V6 for the linearity of its power delivery and how honest and predictable it felt. The V6 worked hard to make its acceleration and made you feel engaged with it. The turbo-four here feels somewhat lazy and easy, like it’s taking a shortcut to produce torque and doesn’t groove like a premium powertrain should. It lacks any sense of significance.
That said, it’s miles more polished than the RX 500h. Each component keeps its presence hidden and it results in a quiet and subdued drive. Surprisingly, the RX 350 isn’t much thirstier than the RX 500h either. We yielded a city and highway average of 11.7 L/100km with the former, and 10.7 L/100km with the latter. Not miles apart, but we’re slightly cheesed that the RX 350 requires 91-octane fuel whereas the outgoing V6 only asked for 87-octane.
The ride is lighter and more composed than the heavier RX 500h, but not nearly as agile without the latter’s all-wheel steering feature. As such, the RX 350 never feels exciting to drive but it does coddle occupants in relative comfort and a noise-free cabin. Still, it steers nicely, handles its weight well, the driving position is excellent, and there’s subsequently great visibility from all sides.
The RX received a major overhaul in the looks department for 2023, and it’s all carried over into 2024. The beluga whale front end has grown on us and appears fresh yet understated on the road. We don’t think RX owners enjoy standing out on the road like a peacock but our test vehicle’s Grecian Water paint job certainly doesn’t help.
The cabin layout follows a similar theme to the recently refreshed NX and LX. The center console is wide and expansive, housing adjustable-depth cupholders and a mini gear lever borrowed from the LC Coupe. Storage options are plentiful, along with a hidden wireless phone charging pad and USB-C outlets. A massive and vibrant touchscreen is perched on the dashboard and now handles every function from the climate controls to the driving modes. We still have dials for the temperature and audio volume, and it’s a delightful improvement over the fussy system from before and its mousepad. It sports a moderate learning curve but those who prefer a more familiar interface will find wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto loaded in.
As expected, the build quality in the RX is excellent with not a loose stitch or panel gap in place. The doors are electrically operated like in the NX, and are engaged with just the push of a button on the inner and outer door levers. The steering wheel is less chunky and obstructive than before – the rim circumference is much thinner and feels more ergonomic to grasp. The steering column allows for a great range of adjustment to cater to all driving positions, though we still despise the touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons, and would highly recommend opting out of the head-up display to avoid them.
The RX is the longest-serving Lexus SUV and is still a competitive platform in 2024. Having the choice of combustion, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains caters it to a wide audience of drivers and while we were lukewarm about the top-dog RX 500h, we found the RX 350 to be a mild-mannered, comfortable, and polished SUV with enough power and cabin amenities for us to strongly recommend it over the hybrid and PHEV setups.
Specifications:
Model: 2024 Lexus RX 350 F Sport 3
Paint Type: Grecian Water
Base Price: $59,450
Price as Tested: $74,950
Wheelbase: 2,850
Length/Width/Height (mm): 4,890 / 1,920 / 1,710
Curb Weight: 1,945 kg
Engine: 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Horsepower: 275 hp
Torque: 317 lb-ft
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Engine & Drive Configuration: Front engine, AWD
Claimed Fuel Consumption (L/100km): 11.2 / 8.4
Observed Fuel Consumption (L/100km): 11.7
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