2023 Lexus RX 350 SUV

　　

2023 Lexus RX 350 Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　, rating written byChristian WardlawSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Redesigning a popular model is a dicey proposition for any automaker. After all, if the vehicle is a best-seller, people must already like it, so why mess with success? The answer is that time marches on, and nearly all cars, trucks and SUVs need regular renewal to stay up to date. Thus, the best-selling Lexus in the land, the RX midsize crossover SUV, is all-new this year.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Lexus RX 350 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 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

　　$188/mo  for RX 350 Base

　　RX 350 Base

　　4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $47,400 MSRP4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $49,000 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $49,400 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $51,000 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $52,000 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $53,600 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $55,400 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $57,000 MSRPF SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $56,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Now that the coldly received previous-generation RX L with its cramped third-row seat is gone, every 2023 Lexus RX offers two rows of seats for up to five people. If you want a three-row Lexus crossover SUV, don't worry. Rumors are swirling that a new Lexus model based on the upcoming Toyota Grand Highlander will replace the old RX L.

　　As for the 2023 RX, the styling remains controversial. However, compared to the outgoing model, Lexus tones it down inside and out. More importantly, the redesigned RX adds next-generation infotainment, convenience and driver assist technologies. In addition, the RX 350's turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine promises similar performance to the previous V6-powered RX but with better fuel efficiency.

　　Since the new Lexus RX is about the same size as the old one, it should still appeal to the luxury SUV buyers that have made it successful in the past. However, it faces several rivals, including the BMW X5, Cadillac XT5, Genesis GV80, Jaguar F-Pace, Lincoln Nautilus and Mercedes-Benz GLE. All of these alternatives have the same standard five-passenger, two-row configuration as the Lexus RX, and some of them are more appealing.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the RX 350 drive? Our test vehicle was an F Sport Handling trim. While that doesn't add any power, it does come with all-wheel drive, which enabled the RX to hit 60 mph in an uneventful 7.8 seconds. That's only a smidge faster than its V6-powered predecessor but slower than the four-cylinder Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 and more than 2 seconds slower than the six-cylinder-powered Genesis GV80 and Mercedes GLE 450. It should be noted that there is no optional engine for the RX 350, and buyers will need to step up to the RX 500h for more performance.

　　At 132 feet, outright braking performance in panic stops from 60 mph also trails the competition. But the RX's firm and easy-to-control brake pedal makes it a breeze to stop with full confidence in a variety of situations on the street. The F Sport version might come with a sport-tuned suspension, but with its lackluster tires the RX isn't the least bit athletic on a back road. The capable chassis of the RX allows for confident handling, but we think there's not much benefit to the F Sport.

　　Prospective buyers concerned about the lack of a V6 engine (like the ones available with previous-generation RXs) don't need to worry. The turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder provides ample grunt around town, and shifts from the eight-speed automatic are quick and well timed. It's a thoroughly modern drivetrain.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the RX 350? Our test vehicle was the F Sport Handling trim, which includes a sport-tuned adaptive suspension and 21-inch wheels. On the previous-generation RX we thought the F Sport was a no-go due to its overly stiff ride with no real improvement in handling. But this new generation F Sport strikes a better overall balance, even if some buyers might still find it a bit stiff. The F Sport also comes with special seats that have more bolstering but are just as soft and comfortable as the ones in a standard RX. The seat heating and ventilation in our test RX were fast-acting, and the rear seats offered better than average sculpting and support.

　　Most of the climate control features are readily accessible and easy to use. The three-zone climate system did a good job of maintaining a set temperature, though we thought the center vents were too low to be particularly effective on a warm day. Interior noise levels are relatively low, and while we noticed little to no wind noise, we did hear more tire hum than we expected.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below