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2012 Lexus RX 350

Rating8.7

Ranked #1 in Suv

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Starting MSRP 

$39,075 - $40,475

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Key Spec of 2012 Lexus RX 350
fuel economy

18/21/25

fuel type

regular unleaded

horsepower

270 hp @ 6200 rpm

basic warranty

4 yr./ 50000 mi.

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2012 Lexus RX 350 Price, Review, Ratings and Pictures

Updated on: December 28, 2021

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor

The RX is Lexus’s best-selling model as of now and comes as a carryover model for 2012. It has a capable engine and a host of luxury features on the inside. The few changes for 2012 include a new appearance package and the recommended fuel for the RX 350 being changed to 87-octane gasoline, which also resulted in a power and torque decrease of 5 hp and 9 lb-ft. 

2012 Lexus RX 350 Latest Updates

  • Jan' 4, 2022 : Lexus Brings In A New Badge And A New Multimedia Setup Read More »
  • Dec' 7, 2021 : Hydrogen-Powered Lexus ROV Concept Unveiled Read More »
See detailed review
ProsConsWhat's New

Superb quality interior

Expensive available packages

New appearance package

Great ride quality

No significant changes for 2012

Powerful and fast 

Impressive handling

Over All Rating

8.7

Out of 10

Pricing and Features7.00
Pricing and Feature9.00
Features9.00
Engine and Performance8.40
Fuel Economy8.40
Interior9.50
Exterior9.90
Safety8.60
Competition7.00
Notable Rankings

#1 in Suv

#1 in Midsize Suv

Pictures & Videos

Exterior [6]Interior [5]
2012 Lexus RX 350 exterior
2012 Lexus RX 350 exterior
2012 Lexus RX 350 exterior
2012 Lexus RX 350 exterior
2012 Lexus RX 350 exterior
2012 Lexus RX 350 exterior

Trims

Base$39,075 onwards

  • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
  • ABS and driveline Traction control
  • AM/FM/Satellite
  • Cloth Seat trim
  • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
  • Front Fog/driving lights
  • Front passenger Lumbar support
  • Heated mirrors
  • Remote keyless entry
  • Seek-Scan Radio
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Used 2012 Lexus RX 350 For Sale

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2011 Lexus RX 35014
Price Drop, $1846
Previous Price: $19172, 27 Apr 2022

2011 Lexus RX 350 SUV

350 FWD

$17,326
Est. $235/mo
Excellent Deal
$2,856 Below market
RMV: $20,182
Dawsonville, GA
N/A
Check Availability
2012 Lexus RX 3506
Price Drop, $741
Previous Price: $18535, 17 May 2022

2012 Lexus RX 350 SUV

350 AWD

$17,794
Est. $241/mo
Excellent Deal
$2,865 Below market
RMV: $20,659
Reno, NV
N/A
Check Availability
2011 Lexus RX 35026

2011 Lexus RX 350 SUV

350 FWD

$13,995
Est. $190/mo
Excellent Deal
$2,260 Below market
RMV: $16,255
Boise, ID
N/A
Check Availability
2012 Lexus RX 35032

2012 Lexus RX 350 SUV

350 FWD

$12,995
Est. $176/mo
Excellent Deal
$2,092 Below market
RMV: $15,087
Puyallup, WA
N/A
Check Availability
2013 Lexus RX 35025

2013 Lexus RX 350 SUV

350 FWD

$19,950
Est. $270/mo
Excellent Deal
$3,144 Below market
RMV: $23,094
Burlington, WA
N/A
Check Availability
2011 Lexus RX 35027
Price Drop, $500
Previous Price: $15995, 13 May 2022

2011 Lexus RX 350 SUV

350 AWD

$15,495
Est. $210/mo
Excellent Deal
$2,446 Below market
RMV: $17,941
Naugatuck, CT
N/A
Check Availability
2013 Lexus RX 3506

2013 Lexus RX 350 SUV

350 F Sport AWD

$18,894
Est. $256/mo
Excellent Deal
$2,952 Below market
RMV: $21,846
Commerce, TX
N/A
Check Availability
2013 Lexus RX 35016
Price Drop, $500
Previous Price: $18495, 13 Feb 2022

2013 Lexus RX 350

4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

$17,995
Est. $244/mo
Excellent Deal
$2,765 Below market
RMV: $20,760
Roseville, CA
N/A
Check Availability
2013 Lexus RX 35031
Price Drop, $1000
Previous Price: $19990, 18 May 2022

2013 Lexus RX 350 SUV

350 F Sport AWD

$18,990
Est. $257/mo
Excellent Deal
$2,883 Below market
RMV: $21,873
Saint Louis, MO
N/A
Check Availability
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See all used 2012 Lexus RX 350 for sale

Colors and Styles

2012 Lexus RX 350 in Matador Red Mica color
Matador Red Mica

Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide

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. 

Features
9.0/10

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.

Trim

RX 350

MSRP

$39,075 (FWD)

$40,475 (AWD)

Key Features

Dual-zone automatic climate control with interior air filter

 

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

 

Lexus nine-speaker Premium Sound System with Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) and in-dash, single-feed, six-disc CD auto-changer

 

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) multi-information console display on the upper console

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. 

Engine and Performance
8.4/10

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. 

Model

2012 Lexus RX 350

2012 Cadillac SRX Luxury

2012 Lincoln MKX 

2012 Volvo XC60 3.2 Platinum

MSRP

$39,075

$40,515

$39,545

$40,250

Engine

3.5 L V6

3.6 L V6

3.7 L V6

3.2 L V6

Drivetrain

FWD/AWD

FWD/AWD

FWD/AWD

FWD/AWD

Transmission

6-speed shiftable automatic

6-speed shiftable automatic

6-speed shiftable automatic

6-speed shiftable automatic

Power

270 hp @ 6200 rpm

308 hp @ 6800 rpm

305 hp @ 6500 rpm

240 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque

248 ft-lbs. @ 4700 rpm

265 ft-lbs. @ 2400 rpm

280 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm

236 ft-lbs. @ 3200 rpm

0-60 MPH (seconds)

7.4

7.2

7.2

9.1

Quarter mile (mph)

15.6

14.7

15.1

15.8

Top speed (mph)

141

154

141

141

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. 

Fuel Economy
8.4/10

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.

Model

2012 Lexus RX 350

2012 Cadillac SRX Luxury

2012 Lincoln MKX 

2012 Volvo XC60 3.2 Platinum

MPG (city)

18

17

19

19

MPG (Highway)

25

24

26

25

MPG (Combined)

21

19

22

21

Fuel Capacity

19.2

21.0

18.0

18.5

Range (City/Highway/Combined)

346/480/403

357/504/399

342/468/396

352/463/388

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. 

Interior
9.5/10

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. 

Model

2012 Lexus RX 350

2012 Cadillac SRX Luxury

2012 Lincoln MKX 

2012 Volvo XC60 3.2 Platinum

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

39.1/58.0/43.1

39.7/58.3/41.2

40.0/58.9/40.7

39.0/56.7/41.2

Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

37.7/57.6/36.8

38.4/56.3/36.3

39.3/58.7/39.6

39.5/55.2/36.4

Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)

40.0

29.8

32.3

30.8

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) 
Exterior
9.9/10

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.

Model

2012 Lexus RX 350

2012 Cadillac SRX Luxury

2012 Lincoln MKX 

2012 Volvo XC60 3.2 Platinum

Curb Weight (lbs)

4,178

4,277

4,236

4,012

Length (in.)

187.8

190.3

186.7

182.2

Width (in.)

74.2

75.2

76.0

74.4

Height (in.)

67.7

65.7

67.3

67.4

Ground Clearance (in.)

7.3

7.0

7.9

9.1

Wheelbase (in.)

107.9

110.5

111.2

108.2

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
Safety
8.6/10

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
Final Verdict

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. 

Features

vehicle bio
base price

$40475

body style

4dr SUV

engine type
displacement

211 cu in

horse power

270 hp @ 6200 rpm

torque

248 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

transmission

6 speed automatic w/OD and auto manual

dimensions
length

187.8 in

wheelbase

107.9 in

width

74.2 in

curb weight

4343 lbs

Height

66.3 in

Ground Clearance

7 lbs

capacity
passenger volume

99.7 cu ft

cargo volume

80.3 cu ft

passenger capacity

5 Seats

fuel economy
city/combined/highway

18/21/24 mpg

highway range

460.8 mi

warranty
basic warranty

4 yr./ 50000 mi.

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2012 Lexus RX 350 User Reviews

2.7

[3 Reviews]

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2

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3

[33.0%] [1 Reviews]

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5

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POPULAR TAGS

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JB

Jana Blake

2012 Lexus RX 350

4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

3

User Overall Rating

Posted On: May 19, 2022

Questionable reliability..

Pros - Good Handling, Plush interior.

Cons - Brake lights issue, Alloy wheel crack, Expensive maintenance costs.

Planning to sell it! I recently picked up a 2012 RX350 for 17 grand but it turned out to be a huge mistake. The car has lots of reliability issues. The brake LED lights don't work due to the wiring issues. The alloy wheels, on the other hand, got a crack when I drove over a pothole at 30 mph. Both these issues cost me over $1500. Very expensive for a considerably old car. I am more than hap...

6/10
Features
7/10
Interior
6/10
Design
3/10
Safety
3/10
Reliability
3/10
Deal Value
7/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
MC

Mark Combs

2012 Lexus RX 350

4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

6

User Overall Rating

Posted On: January 31, 2022

My Lexus Rx350 SUV!

Pros - Reliability, Seating comfort, Spry handling

Cons - Jerky and vibrative rides, Defective electrical wirings, Decreasing gas mileage

Reliable yet jerky rides I never had any mechanical failures for the past six years but the ride quality became more vibrative after hitting 100K miles on the odometer. The engine vibrates and makes a strange noise during acceleration while cruising below 20mph on heavy traffics. Initially, its gas mileage range was adequate with 17+mpg but nowadays, I feel like visiting the gas stations frequent...

7/10
Features
6/10
Interior
7/10
Design
8/10
Safety
8/10
Reliability
7/10
Deal Value
8/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
C

Charles

2012 Lexus RX 350

4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

4

User Overall Rating

Posted On: January 11, 2022

Beware of service bays!!

Pros - *Comfortable seats *Higher ground clearance *Roomy trunk

Cons - *Unreliable rides *Engine overheating issues *Defective coolant system

Not worthy for the price I've got this car as a certified pre-used in 2016 and the odometer had just 23K miles while purchasing it. The salesmen informed me that the car met a minor accident and the coolant system has undergone some repairs. The first two years went fine and I've done its periodical maintenance regularly and the check engine light came ON. The engine started to overheat after a c...

4/10
Features
4/10
Interior
3/10
Design
4/10
Safety
3/10
Reliability
4/10
Deal Value
5/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
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Top Cars

Top User Reviews

3/10

User

Rating

Questionable reliability..

Planning to sell it! I recently picked up a 2012 RX350 for ...

by Jana Blake

6/10

User

Rating

My Lexus Rx350 SUV!

Reliable yet jerky rides I never had any mechanical failure...

by Mark Combs

4/10

User

Rating

Beware of service bays!!

Not worthy for the price I've got this car as a certified p...

by Charles

6/10

User

Rating

Luxurious SUV with premium looks

A reliable and spacious SUV After testing other SUVs from m...

by Lillian Mackay

8/10

User

Rating

luxury midsize SUV with upscaled design

comfortable and spacious SUV The combination of reliable pe...

by Francis Robbins

view more reviews

Lexus RX 350 5 year Cost To Own

Cash Price(MSRP)
$55,443
5 Year Cost To Own
$70,326
Total 5 year Cost To Own -  $70,326
Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5total
Depreciation$8,757$4,641$3,837$4,271$3,704$25,210
Insurance$1,554$1,536$1,636$1,716$1,696$8,138
Fuel$2,223$2,344$2,380$2,453$2,498$11,898
Maintenance$374$1,121$718$2,655$3,273$8,141
Repairs$-32$-42$47$452$663$1,088
Financing Interest$3,476$2,806$2,116$1,283$440$10,121
Taxes and Fees$4,592$378$268$248$244$5,730
Total Cost-To-Own$20,944$12,784$11,002$13,078$12,518$70,326
Read more about Cost-To-Own »

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