2012 Lexus RX 350

The engine under the hood of the RX 350 is the same 3.5 V6 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. FWD is standard while AWD is optional. The 2012 Lexus RX 350 model is priced at $39,075 for the FWD model, while the AWD model costs $40,475. It competes with the 2012 Cadillac SRX, 2012 Lincoln MKX, and the 2012 Volvo XC60. 

The 2012 Lexus RX 350 comes in a single trim option, with the choice to opt for FWD or AWD. The only powertrain combination available is a 3.5 L V6 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Numerous available packages are available to opt with the RX350, and the most important ones among them are the Premium Package, Luxury Package, Rear-seat Entertainment System (RSES) And Navigation System Package, Appearance Package, and Sport package along with a plethora of other individual options to choose from.

We Recommend

The RX 350 is a standalone trim, and it could be specced in FWD or AWD according to your individual preference. There are also numerous packages to choose from to equip with the RX 350. We recommend opting for the Premium Package that comes with a Leather-trimmed interior, Lexus Memory System to control power driver’s seat (except lumbar), outside mirrors, and steering wheel, a power tilt-and-slide moonroof with one-touch open/close and sliding sunshade, and some other features. 

The 2012 Lexus RX 350 is powered by a 3.5 L V6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) with Sequential Shift and Snow modes, which is the only powertrain choice available. The RX 350 comes with FWD as standard, while Active Torque Control all-wheel drive (AWD) with variable torque split and manual-locking center differential is also available. The engine puts out 270 hp and 248 lb-ft of maximum power and torque.

The RX 350 can reach a speed of 60mph in 7.4 seconds, while the quarter-mile is crossed in 15.6 seconds. These figures are not the best in the segment, but still are impressive. The RX 350’s suspension is, however, tuned for comfort, and for better handling, it is advised to equip the Sport Package that comes with a sport-tuned suspension. Overall the 2012 Lexus RX 350 is a pretty good performer. 

The Cadillac SRX is the most athletic and sporty one in terms of power as well as handling, followed by the Lincoln MKX. The MKX, however, has the most torque, while the Volvo has the least figure. The Cadillac SRX is the best option to choose when only performance is considered, however, the Lexus is also a good option. When comparing the price range, Cadillac is the most expensive option in the competition. 

The 2012 Lexus RX 350 comes with a respectable fuel economy. The RX 350 delivers an efficiency of 18 mpg in the city, 25 on the highway, and a combined efficiency of 21 mpg. The Lexus has a fuel capacity of 19.2 gallons and provides a combined range above 400 miles. The Lexus is a great performer in the fuel economy sector.

The Lincoln MKX is the most fuel-efficient machine, followed by the RX 350 and the XC60. The Cadillac SRX, being the most powerful and best-handling machine, also happens to be the least efficient, but by a slight margin. The SRX, however, happens to deliver the most range after the Lexus. Overall the Lexus RX 350 provides good efficiency figures and a long-range. 

The interior of the 2012 RX 350 is top-class and super impressive. High-quality luxurious elements and materials are abundant all around the cabin. The inside of the cabin features materials, including genuine wood and leather. The interior trim is finished in Espresso bird’s-eye maple or brown walnut wood, which looks supremely good. There are also some customization options available with the RX 350 along with a plethora of optional features and packages on offer.

The seats are spacious and comfortable and offer great support. They are covered in leather and could even be upgraded to a more premium finish. The steering wheel is leather-trimmed and could also be upgraded to wood and leather-trimmed unit along with the shift knob. The cargo capacity inside the RX 350 is also immense, measuring 40 cu-ft. 

The Lincoln MKX has the overall most spacious interior, while the Lexus has the most cargo capacity. All of these machines feature a super-luxurious interior, whereas the Volvo has the least fancy one. The Lincoln MKX’s interior does look a bit off, while the Lexus and the Cadillac have the best-looking ones. The following are some of the most important interior features of the 2012 Lexus RX 350-

• Espresso bird’s-eye maple or brown walnut wood interior trim
• Leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob
• 10-way driver’s and front passenger’s (including lumbar) power seats
• Height-adjustable headrests for all seating positions
• Reclining, sliding rear seat (40/20/40-split)
• Dual-zone automatic climate control with interior air filter 
• Available Wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob

How intuitive is the 2012 Lexus RX 350’s infotainment unit?

The 2012 Lexus RX 350 comes with an LCD screen in the center console and an OLED screen inside the cluster. The audio system is a 9-speaker unit as standard, which is upgradable to a 12-speaker unit. There is also an even more premium Mark Levinson 15-speaker 330-watt premium surround-sound audio system with Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) and a 7.1 architecture. This one is one of the best music systems available in the market right now. The following are some of the most important infotainment features- 

• Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) multi-information console display on the upper console
• Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) multi-information display in the gauge cluster
• Lexus nine-speaker Premium Sound System with Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) and in-dash, single-feed, six-disc CD auto-changer
• Auxiliary iPod/MP3/Windows Media Audio (WMA) port
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio, 90-day trial subscription included
• Bluetooth audio profile for wireless integration of compatible music players
• Available High-resolution LCD dual-screen DVD Rear-Seat Entertainment System (RSES) 

The 2012 Lexus RX 350 looks good but in some way disproportionate and chubby. It is not ugly to look at, but it definitely doesn’t please our eyes. It kind of looks outdated, and the design language could have been a little sharper and sportier. The front end has a blacked-out grille accompanied by pretty-looking headlamps on both sides. The RX 350 comes with 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels as standard, which could be upgraded to 19-inch seven-spoke alloys via packages or even as an individual option. Overall, the RX 350 is a sleek-looking machine that looks luxurious and premium from the outside. The RX 350 has a ground clearance of 7.3-inches, which is pretty good for the urban environment.

The Cadillac SRX looks the most aggressive and sporty from the outside, followed by the Lincoln MKX, even though it has a weird-looking front grille. The Volvo XC60 is the most old and outdated-looking one among these. However, it has the most ground clearance, while the SRX is the longest, followed by the Lexus. The following are some of the most important exterior features of the 2012 Lexus RX 350-

• Automatic on/off headlamps with an auto-off delay
• 19 x 7.5-in seven-spoke alloy wheels 
• Available Bi-Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
• Power tilt-and-slide moonroof with one-touch open/close and sliding sunshade
• Water-repellent front-door glass
• Daytime running lights
• Integrated fog lamps
• LED taillamps

The 2012 Lexus RX 350 is a very safe machine and has been crash-tested and rated by both NHTSA as well as IIHS. NHTSA has given the RX 350 an overall safety rating of 4-stars, and it gets nothing less than 4-star under individual testing parameters. The RX 350 has been awarded the 2012 Top Safety Pick award by IIHS, which further ensures the safety of this machine. The following are some of the most important safety features in the 2012 Lexus RX 350-

• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
• Traction Control (TRAC)
• Four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes
• Four-sensor, four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Smart Stop Technology
• Brake Assist
• Tire Pressure Monitor System

The 2012 Lexus RX 350 is a superb choice in this segment. It offers a strong powertrain along with good handling. The interior of the RX 350 is luxurious, and the features present as standard as well as the optional ones are all high-tech. There are also a lot of packages on offer with the RX 350. It offers a lot of space on the inside and a huge cargo area. Overall it is a superb option in this segment, while for a more sporty driving experience, it is advised to go for the Cadillac SRX.