2021 Lexus RX 350 Review

　　

2021 Lexus RX 350 Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The original Lexus RX was a hugely influential vehicle, arriving in the late 1990s to help pioneer the luxury crossover SUV segment. It's been the template for dozens of competitors since. The latest 2021 RX 350 does its predecessors proud. It's quiet, comfortable and offers a lot of features for less money than much of the competition. There's also a fuel-efficient RX 450h hybrid version and longer RX 350L that uses the extra space to fit a third row of seating (both of those are reviewed separately).

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lexus RX 350 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$204/mo  for RX 350 Base

　　RX 350 Base

　　4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $45,220 MSRP4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $46,620 MSRPF SPORT 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $48,700 MSRPF SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $50,100 MSRPF SPORT 4dr SUV w/Handling Package (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $51,100 MSRPF SPORT 4dr SUV AWD w/Handling Package (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $52,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　The RX 350 does have strong competition, however. The Acura MDX is its closest rival, offering similar features and performance plus a roomy third-row seat. We also like the Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5, though both of those cost significantly more than the RX 350. On the whole, the 2021 RX 350 is a smart pick if you're looking for a comfortable luxury crossover SUV.

　　

Which RX 350 does zzdcar recommend?

You can't go wrong with either the base RX 350 or the sportier-looking F Sport version. We do suggest adding the navigation package for its larger infotainment screen plus the sweet-sounding Mark Levinson upgraded audio system.

　　

2021 Lexus RX 350 models

The 2021 Lexus RX 350 comes in two trims: base and F Sport. Both are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 (295 horsepower, 267 lb-ft of torque) that's paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on both models.

　　Base

　　The base RX 350 comes with a decent list of standard features. Those include:

　　18-inch wheels LED headlights Leather-wrapped steering wheel Power-adjustable front seats Rain-sensing windshield wipers Keyless entry with push-button start Dual-zone automatic climate control Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa integrationStandard safety features and driver aids include:

　　Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front) Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time) Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Lane keeping assist (steers the RX 350 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Options include:

　　Heated and ventilated front seats Power-folding rear seats Panoramic sunroof Head-up display Hands-free power liftgate Wireless charging pad Navigation system 12.3-inch touchscreen 12-speaker audio system Lexus Enform App Suite (Yelp, iHeartRadio, Movietickets.com and more) 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system Towing package (only available on AWD models)F Sport

　　The F Sport includes all of the base RX 350's features, adding:

　　F Sport grille, front and rear bumper, and badges 20-inch wheels F Sport steering wheel F Sport front and rear dampers Aluminum interior trim Optional F Sport Handling package Adaptive suspension Heated and ventilated sport seats A heated steering wheel

　　

2021 RX 350 Highlights

Trim: BaseF SPORTBase

　　

Base MSRP	$45,220
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$204/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles