2016 Lexus RX 350

For the 2016 model year, the SUV moves into its fourth generation model and comes with a complete design and mechanical overhaul. The SUV is built on the Toyota K Platform and gets a 3.5-liter V6 motor under its hood. In the segment, the SUV goes up against the likes of the Acura MDX and the Lincoln MKX.

The 2019 Lexus RX 350 price starts from $41,900 and is offered in two trim levels only. The base trim only gets the FWD layout while the F Sport gets the AWD layout as standard. Right from the base form, the SUV comes with a long list of convenience and luxury features some of which include a power liftgate, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a power-operated tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel among other features. The F Sport trim is essentially a package that offers some cosmetic changes, adds bigger wheels, additional drive modes, and paddle shifters among other features. There are some optional packages available to further enhance the SUV such as the Premium package, the Luxury package, and a Safety System+ package.

We recommend

We would suggest the base trim with the AWD layout for a wholesome experience. You can also opt for the Luxury package and the Premium Package if you wish to equip your SUV further.

The 2016 Lexus RX 350 engine is a sizable 3.5-liter naturally aspirated 2GR-FKS V6 unit. The motor can whip out a maximum of 295 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of maximum torque. Since the motor powers a luxury SUV, it shows off some impressive refinement levels along with a smooth and linear manner of power delivery. To execute that “luxury” feeling properly, the acceleration feels lethargic to those who expect the SUV to get going the moment they floor the gas pedal. 

The SUV takes a leisurely 7.3 seconds to hit 60mph from a standstill and completes the quarter-mile run within 15.4 seconds. The motor is mated to an 8-speed Aisin AWF8F35 automatic transmission and manages all the power from the engine efficiently while handling the gear shifts smoothly.

The Lincoln MKX is the quickest one here but also has over 300 horsepower on tap along with more torque output than the RX 350. It takes 6.3 seconds to complete the 0-60mph run and 14.9 seconds to complete the quarter-mile stretch. The Acura MDX has a marginally lower horsepower rating and similar torque rating to the Lexus RX 350 but is quite quicker than the latter in both the 0-60mph and quarter-mile runs.

The 2016 Lexus RX 350 gas mileage ratings stand at 20mpg in the city, 27mpg out on the highways, and 23mpg of combined mileage. The numbers are decent for a big luxury SUV with a not-so-small naturally aspirated V6 lurking under its hood. With a sizable gas tank of 19.2 gallons, the SUV offers some decent driving range figures both on city and highway as well.

The Acura MDX offers a gas mileage of 19mpg in the city, 27mpg out on the highways, and 22mpg of combined mileage, trailing very close to the RX 350 in terms of fuel economy. The Lincoln MKX has the least fuel economy numbers here along with the smallest gas tank as well.

The 2016 Lexus RX 350 interior is a pleasant place to be in and feels quite at home even for a prolonged duration. The interior dimensions are adequate and decent by a luxury SUV standard and also have a robust build quality usually found in every Toyota vehicle. The headroom and legroom are adequate for both the front and rear seats. The leather upholstery feels premium on the seats and there are ample high-quality materials along with soft-touch surfaces all over the cabin. The dashboard design is driver-centric and the lower seating position gives a car-like feeling but being a crossover, you’ll have a commanding view of your surroundings.

The front seats get a power-adjustment function while the F Sport trim adds ventilation to the same as well. The rear seats can be folded in a 40/20/40 ratio and have a sliding and reclining function too. The cargo capacity is modest at 18.4 cu-ft with all the seats upright and folding the rear seats frees up a total of 56.3 cu-ft of space which is decent for the segment.

The Acura MDX has a premium cabin like the RX 350 but lacks some of the extra adjustability offered by the latter. The cargo capacity offered by the MDX is impressive even after having a three-row seating configuration. The Lincoln MKX offers one of the best cabins in the segment and has the most well-appointed cabin among the rivals here. The overall interior design of the MKX looks and feels more premium than the RX 350 and the Acura MDX.

Some standout features include:

• 8-way power front seat 
• Heated & Ventilated Front Sport Seats(F Sport)
• Manual Reclining Rear Seat 
• Leather Upholstery
• Power-operated tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel 
• Dual-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning
• Memory Settings for Driver Seat

How intuitive is the 2016 Lexus RX 350’s infotainment unit?

As standard, the Lexus RX 350 gets an 8-inch infotainment display with a knob controller. The Lexus Enform App Suite and the Remote Touch Electronics interface are available with the Premium Package which is a bummer. The standard infotainment system isn’t terrible either and offers a handsome list of infotainment and connectivity options.

Some infotainment features include:

• 8.0-inch Lexus infotainment system
• 9-speaker audio system with CD-Player
• Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming
• HD Radio and Satellite Radio
• Two USB ports

With the complete redesign of the RX 350 SUV, the more than average aggressive styling and the bold touch to it can be quite polarizing in the segment. The front fascia gets Lexus’ new spindle grille design with a chrome lining running alongside. The front grille is flanked by a set of angular yet elegant-looking LED headlamp units while the front bumper houses the LED fog lamps with a chrome accent bordering them which matches with the front grille design. The side profile looks stylish with a sports sedan-like curve on the roofline and sculpted lines running across the vehicle.

The Acura MDX has the most forgettable design here with the only attraction lying in its front fascia. It gets a proper crossover design and lacks the stylish bits of the RX 350. The Lincoln MKX has the ugliest front fascia here but feels quite bigger than the MDX and the RX 350. None of the SUVs can match the 8.2-inch ground clearance of the RX 350 however.

As is the case with almost every Toyota vehicle, the Lexus RX 350 has a pretty solid safety stat to boast about. The SUV gets a 4-star out of 5 ratings from the NHTSA while the IIHS gave the vehicle its prestigious Top Safety Pick+ award which shows the impressive safety and superior build quality of the SUV. Apart from the standard list of safety techs, Lexus also offers an additional Safety System Plus package which further includes some advanced crash avoidance systems.

Some safety features of the SUV are:

• Frontal collision warning and mitigation system with automatic braking
• Pedestrian detection
• Lane-departure warning
• Lane departure intervention
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) And Driveline Traction Control
• Back-Up Camera
• Dual-Stage Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor

At a competitive price point, the Lexus RX 350 offers an excellent value for money proposition to luxury SUV shoppers who prefer comfort and luxury over performance. The SUV has a strong character in terms of exterior design and a plush cabin with a compliant ride quality to complement it fully. If you’re in the market for a stylish and comfortable luxury SUV that is safe and reliable, the RX 350 is a no-brainer option.