It’s not hard to see why the Lexus RX is the best-selling luxury SUV on the market. This midsize 2-row SUV is just the right size for a wide range of drivers. It’s spacious but small enough to be easy to drive. It also carries the Lexus brand’s reputation for quality, safety, and reliability. If you could occasionally use a third row of seats, the long-wheelbase RX L is a good choice.
RX models with “350” in the name get their power from a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. It’s linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission, and it’s available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). This engine returns up to 20 city/27 highway mpg, but adding AWD or upgrading to the long-wheelbase L model comes with a slight fuel economy penalty.
If you see the “450h” moniker, the SUV uses a gasoline-electric hybrid V6 making 308 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) sends the power to the wheels, and it comes standard with AWD. It’s quite a bit more efficient than the non-hybrid RX returning up to 31 city/28 highway mpg.
Let’s take a closer look at the Lexus RX model range and find the right luxury SUV for you.
2021 Lexus RX 350 (Original starting price when new: $45,220)
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The Lexus RX 350 was available in two trim levels for 2021.
The Lexus RX 350 is well-appointed at the base level. Among its many standard comfort and convenience features are synthetic leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, reclining second-row seats, a power steering column, paddle shifters, power-folding mirrors, and a power liftgate.
The RX is very generous with safety tech features. The standard Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, road sign assist, and automatic high beams. Additional standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
The standard infotainment system is an 8-inch screen loaded with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, HD Radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. You get a whopping six USB ports.
There are several individual options and option packages available for the RX 350. A few popular ones include the Luxury Package with leather seats, wood and aluminum interior trim, rear sunshades, and a Navigation Package with an updated infotainment system and optional Mark Levinson premium audio. Individual options include adaptive LED headlights, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic roof, and wireless charging.
The RX 350L is a long-wheelbase version of the RX 350 with a power-folding third row of seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, two second-row USB ports, and a second-row armrest. Second-row captain’s chairs are optional. Other than those caveats, it has the same standard and available feature content as the regular RX 350.
Who is this trim for? — The RX 350 is for drivers looking for a luxury SUV that’s both premium and practical at a price that won’t break the bank.
2021 Lexus RX 350 includes:
Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 — This safety tech suite includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, road sign assist, and more.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay — These connectivity features make it easy to bring your maps, music, and more from your phone to the screen in your car.
Power liftgate — Once you’ve had this feature, you won’t know how you lived without it.
2021 Lexus RX 350 F Sport (Original starting price when new: $48,650)
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The 2021 Lexus RX 350 F Sport starts at $48,650.
The F Sport model is primarily an appearance package for the Lexus RX. Please don’t get too excited; it doesn’t come standard with significant performance upgrades.
The RX 350 F Sport has 20-inch wheels, black mirrors, a unique front fascia, front bumper, and rear bumper, scored aluminum interior trim, an F Sport steering wheel and gauge cluster, a perforated leather-wrapped shift knob, and F Sport front and rear performance dampers.
An F Sport Handling package is available on top of the F Sport trim, adding an Adapted Variable Suspension system for sportier handling. It also adds heated and ventilated front seats with unique stitching and a heated steering wheel.
Like the standard RX 350, the RX 350 F Sport is available with the long-wheelbase RX L body with three rows of seats.
Who is this trim for? — The RX 350 F Sport is for the driver who wants a sporty-looking luxury SUV but doesn’t care much about actual performance.
2021 Lexus RX 350 F Sport includes:
Sporty appearance — This trim has unique bumpers, front fascia, 20-inch wheels, and black mirrors.
Aluminum interior trim — The F Sport model has scored aluminum trim, pedals, and footrest.
Performance suspension — Performance front and rear dampers are standard, and a more advanced Adapted Variable Suspension is optional.
2021 Lexus RX 450h (Original starting price when new: $47,920)
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The 2021 Lexus RX 450h starts at $47,920.
The big difference between the RX 350 and the RX 450h is the hybrid powertrain in the RX 450h. The hybrid model offers similar performance and better fuel economy at a price that isn’t much higher than a similarly-equipped, non-hybrid RX with all-wheel drive. Unlike the RX 350, AWD comes standard on every RX 450h.
Other than what’s under the hood, the standard and available feature content is the same as the RX 350. The RX 450h is also available with the long-wheelbase RX L body with 3-row seating.
Who is this trim for? — The RX 450h is for drivers looking for a practical and comfortable midsize luxury SUV with outstanding fuel economy.
2021 Lexus RX 450h includes:
Efficient hybrid powertrain — This hybrid V6 returns excellent fuel economy and comes standard with all-wheel drive.
2021 Lexus RX 450h F Sport (Original starting price when new: $51,300)
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The 2021 Lexus RX 450h F Sport starts at $51,300.
As you might have guessed, the most significant difference between the RX 350 F Sport and the RX 450h F Sport is the hybrid powertrain and standard all-wheel drive. The appearance package inside and out is the same as the RX 350 F Sport, plus you get the same performance suspension. The F Sport Handling Package is available as an option.
Another difference is that the RX 450h F Sport is only available in the standard, 2-row body. You cannot get a long-wheelbase, 3-row RX 450h F Sport.
Who is this trim for? — The RX 450h F Sport is for luxury SUV shoppers who want a practical hybrid luxury SUV with a sporty edge.
2021 Lexus RX 450h F Sport includes:
Sporty appearance — The RX 450h F Sport has a sportier look than your average hybrid SUV.
