Our review score: 8.4 / 10
The 2015 Lexus RX 350 delivers an exceptionally smooth engine, long list of available features and upscale cabin, proving once again why it’s one of the most popular modern crossovers.
It’s easy to see why luxury crossover buyers love the Lexus RX 350 so much. Its fine engine, upscale interior and impressive features are some of the most desirable attributes a luxury crossover can have. Add to that a quiet ride, unparalleled reputation for reliability and enough space to fit in bucketloads of shopping bags and you have yourself a superb vehicle. That said, if you need an SUV that can go off-road and tow more than 3,500 pounds, then this won’t do. The RX was clearly built for comfort, not performance.
So, if you are not deterred by these shortcomings, then be sure to take a look at some of the highlights of this vehicle:
Silky Smooth Performance
While the Lexus RX 350 isn’t exactly the quickest or most powerful crossover, it still performs exceedingly well.
Under the hood, it has a 3.5-litre V6 that produces 270 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. It’s connected to a six-speed automatic transmission with direct-downshift control, which allows for quick shifting from fifth to third gear or sixth to third, skipping gears for fast acceleration. There’s also the F-Sport model that offers two additional gears (but not horses) in its eight-speed transmission that has steering wheel-mounted paddles for improved performance.
In spite of its “slowness,” the RX offers a ludicrously smooth ride, which makes the already comfortable interior even more comfortable – particularly on long journeys.
Royal Treatment
The RX boasts an absolutely delightful cabin – where everything you touch and see feels simply exceptional. Even the smallest of details, like the radio volume knob and power-seat switch, display exemplary quality and precision – something that you won’t find in most vehicles today.
The biggest highlight of the RX’s cabin, however, is the way its huge cargo area integrates with passenger space. The rear seats slide, recline and fold in a 40/20/40 split, while being surrounded by tons of storage compartments, all of which endow the RX with a healthy dose of pragmatism. The cargo space behind those seats can eat up 40 cubic feet of cargo space – or twice that if you fold them. The occupants at the front get treated to an even better experience, thanks to the standard multi-adjustable driver seat.
No area feels overlooked, which makes the RX’s cabin absolutely superb. In fact, it’s the best part of the vehicle.
Lots and Lots of Features
But the pleasure of the cabin doesn’t just end at comfort – the RX 350 also has a whole set of tech features that will drive you crazy (in a good way), which include the now-standard seven-inch display and rearview camera. And if you decide to add the available Navigation package, you will get the Lexus Remote Touch system – a controller akin to a mouse that lets the user to move around icons on the central screen. While it looks neat, it’s also a little imprecise, which makes using it a hassle (the clunky menus don’t help much either). In spite of this tiny flaw, the RX 350 does feature one of the best sound systems on the market in the form of the totally optional Mark Levinson audio.
Final Word
If comfort and luxury is what you’re after, then you will find much to like about the Lexus RX 350. No, it’s not off-roady or particularly fast, but it does deliver a solid family experience.
