2022 Lexus RX 350

Since the RX 350 hasn't been launched yet, we can only speculate as to what the company will offer this year and which is why we have the 2021 model's feature list for reference. For the 2021 model, the company offers two packages along with the base model named Premium package and Luxury package. The Premium package is available at an extra cost of $480 and adds features such as Matte Bamboo interior trim, Power-adjustable front seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power rear door, Lexus memory system, and Rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Meanwhile, the Luxury package costs an additional $3890 and includes features such as 20-inch wheels, power-adjustable thigh support for front seats, leather upholstery, Heater leather-trimmed steering wheel, LED ambient illumination, and SiriusXM satellite radio. 

"With this primary mission to pamper and coddle, the 2021 Lexus RX 350 isn’t focused on aggressive cornering or breathtaking acceleration. Conversely, it’s not sloppy or slow." - Kelley Blue Book

The engine which comes under the hood of the car when buyers get the RX 350 is a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6. The RX is a hefty vehicle and the V6 struggles to be even a little bit sporty in its classification. Power and torque figures are at 295 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque, respectively. Considering the competition has moved on to turbocharged motors, the slow sprint times should not come as a surprise. However, RX sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds when equipped with FWD while the AWD RX350 takes 6.9 seconds for the similar run. That being said, as standard, you get the SUV in a front-wheel drivetrain driven by an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The ride is complacent and much less noisy too. You stay completely isolated from the road which makes it great for cruising long distances; one of the bigger reasons why this SUV is still popular. The steering has almost negligible feedback and is on the heavier side. It is uncharacteristically nimble around town. There is quite a bit of body roll on offer too when you tackle a corner at high speeds. You can solve that problem with the stiffer suspension and larger wheels on the F Sport trim which definitely add much-needed control and composure at expense of comfort, but it is still far from a sports SUV.

Despite the RX 350 having more horsepower in this comparison, it is disappointing that does not translate to real-world performance. Yes, performance is not a huge priority for these luxury SUVs, but in comparison to what the German competition has to offer, the RX 350 is disappointing. Forget hitting 60 mph under 7 seconds, even as a towing worker, the SUV underperforms. The only plus side you can take out of that is that easy access to AWD means you can weather-proof your car and also dabble into some mild off-roading if you will. 

Fuel efficiency is the forte of the 2022 Lexus RX 350, which is not what we usually associate with heavy luxury SUVs. However, it is a mixed bag. The gasoline engine does not look efficient on paper, but it will easily outperform the EPA estimates. That being said, the real-world economy figures in return are not that competitive. With the heavier L-trims, the mpg figures drop further by an mpg.

The Q5 has a pretty impressive driving range, however, it is the RX 350 that has the larger gasoline tank. The low fuel economy of RX 350 seems to be compensated by the fuel tank capacity to be precise. 

"It's quiet, comfortable and offers a lot of features for less money than much of the competition." - edmunds.com

Lexus has made some very good decisions with the RX 350 interior, not just the way they designed it but also the materials they chose to use. The touch surfaces are strewn with some fine textures metallic or wood trims, soft leather, and soft-touch plastics. Even the door panels are padded with soft-touch surfaces. Even as standard the upholstery you get is NuLuxe leatherette, and semi-aniline leather. Options for the steering wheel include wood and leather-trimmed ones.

The driving position is quite a comfortable one to settle into, there are still some ergonomic missteps, however. That would be with the controls, the tuning knob for the radio takes some awkward effort to reach. The controller is the most complained part of this SUV for quite some time; it is very inaccurate in its function. You can seat five people in a great deal of comfort in this SUV. There is plenty of head- and legroom in both the rows. However, choosing the RX 350L cuts down on the legroom in the second row. Power adjustability is standard for the driver’s seat, you get heating and ventilation as options for the front row and heating for the second row.

If you have longer legs, it is the RX 350 you want to be inside. If you opt for the RX 350L however, you get the third row, but it is not very usable. The headroom is still decent, but the legroom is only suited for children. If you opt for the F Sport trim, you get enhanced bolsters for the front seats and options of cushion extenders. The notable interior features of the 2022 Lexus LX 350 include:

• Standard 8-inch touchscreen with Amazon Alexa
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• HD Radio
• 9-speaker sound system
• Satellite radio
• Six USB ports
• Bluetooth 
• 15-speaker Mark Levinson stereo on top trim
• Lexus Enform App Suite

"Few vehicles match the Lexus RX in dissonance between styling and performance. Its edgy looks are eye-catching and modern, but the RX doesn't like to be pushed." - Motortrend

Some would call the RX 350’s design bold, some would say it is polarizing; it may not be to the tastes of everyone who sees the car. Starting with the front fascia, you can see the updated Lexus spindle grille and it takes up the majority of the front. The rest of it is occupied by the headlights which slot into the middle of the hourglass frame.

The headlights have a couple of options, you can go with the auto-leveling headlights and the triple-beam LED headlights. The other notable exterior options for RX 350 include triple-beam tail lights, a panoramic glass roof, a power moonroof, powered rear door with a kick sensor. Standard wheel options are 18-inch alloys that fit rather comfortably into the large wheel arches.

The F Sport line-ups come with a few changes, they have a mesh grille and front fascia unique to the trim. The mirrors are black-capped and you will find badging on various places around the body; the wheel options are 20-inch F Sport variants. The RX 350 is longer than the rest of the competition. But surprisingly the rest of the three SUVs have longer wheelbases hence more space inside the cabin. The notable exterior features of the 2022 Lexus LX 350 include:

• 20" Dark Silver Alloy Wheels W/Machined Finish
• Door Edge Guards
• Triple Beam LED Auto-Leveling Headlamps W/Adaptive Front Lighting System
• Premium Paint
• Roof Rack Cross Bars
• Power Tilt/Slide Moonroof W/Aluminum Roof Rails
• Touch-Free Power Rear Door W/Kick Sensor
• Triple Beam LED Auto-Leveling Headlamps
• Body-Side Moldings
• Panoramic Moonroof W/Aluminum Roof Rails
• Running Boards

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 has some solid crash test results; the NHTSA gave the SUV five stars for AWD models, but the FWD version strangely got four stars. Moving on, the IIHS named it as their Top Safety Pick. Consumers who prioritize safety should probably give this car more attention. Lexus gives the car a lot of driver assistance features as standard too; there is no shortage in the supply of the features.

Apart from the entry-level trim, every available feature is thrown in. A bunch of airbags is included in the package too which are placed in all strategic positions. The safety features fall under the umbrella of Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which includes a host of pretty handy driver assistance features. All that is well and good, however, one should note that the other cars in the segment have a more comprehensive offering of standard driver aids. Some of the safety features in the new Lexus RX 350 are:

• Lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Automated emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Pre-collision mitigation
• Road sign assist
• Pedestrian detection
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Parking assist with panoramic view monitor and auto-braking (optional)

2022 Lexus RX 350 Vs 2022 BMW X3

The X3 is easily one of the most well-rounded SUVs in the segment, that is one of the primary reasons why it is among the best-sellers in the segment. Does not matter what your priorities are, safety, practicality, technology, comfort, or performance, there is something for everyone here.

It has been a mainstay of BMW's lineup for eternity, it is placed right in the middle of smaller sized X1 and the higher-priced X5. Though the Lexus offers a more traditional and luxurious interior, BMW's dynamic range and a wide array of features are unmatchable.

2022 Lexus RX 350 Vs 2022 Audi Q5

Yet another car that sits in the sweet spot of the line-up between the compact Q3 and the larger three-row Q7 is the Audi Q5. Though the Audi Q5 and Lexus RX both belong to different segments, they fall into similar price bracket as well as interior volume The Q5 received a mid-life refresh in 2021 which bought it a new infotainment system, a larger touchscreen display, revised exterior styling, and perhaps most importantly a more powerful four-cylinder engine.

The Audi Q5 is a significantly better driver and is quicker off the line than the RX. With a turbocharged engine, the Audi offers better gas mileage as well. The Lexus has a better reliability rating, and cozy interiors, still, Q5 is a better value package.

2022 Lexus RX 350 Vs 2022 Volvo XC60

The Lexus RX 350 has a bit more rear space than the Volvo XC60. Taller drivers and passengers might have no problem with accommodation inside the Volvo XC60. The Lexus RX 350 offers a somewhat similar width as the Volvo XC60, but again for buyers, bigger is more beneficial. You'll be satisfied with the Lexus RX 350, which is slightly longer than the Volvo XC60.

With a bit higher torque, the Lexus RX 350 offers effective power compared to the Volvo XC60. Also, the Lexus RX 350 has a significantly larger turning radius, making it hard to maneuver in limited space. The Lexus RX 350 returns more horsepower than the Volvo XC60.

Has the 2022 Lexus RX 350 anything more to offer than a sporty and aggressive face before it rides off into the sunset? Well, it sure does. The driving character and relaxed and comfortable, contrary to what the exterior looks would have you believe. If you are into long-distance cruising, preferably with a few people aboard, you would love this SUV. The silky-smooth ride quality and a host of driver assistance features make your life easy on the freeway, the car is a big softie, and you are bound to love it for that.