2021 Lexus RX 350L

Like the Lexus RX 350, the 350L also prioritizes driving pleasure and passenger leisure. Though you do have a V6 engine to power its performance, the RX 350L’s uniqueness lies in its ability to provide easy and engaging driving dynamics. So you now get an SUV that can be a practical daily driver, with improved passenger space, and gets the best-in-class specifications while going up against rivals such as Mercedes Benz GLE 350, BMW X5, and Volvo XC90. 

The 2021 Lexus RX 350L is available in two trim levels i.e. Base and Luxury with a price range varying from $48,000 to $55,400 and yes buyers can opt from the front wheel and all-wheel drive, with the latter costing an additional $1,400. As for the features, both trims offer fairly good lists. The Base trim comes with 18-inch wheels, power-folding exterior mirrors, three-zone automatic climate control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power liftgate, a power-adjustable steering wheel, a nine-speaker audio system, keyless entry and ignition, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. 

The Luxury trim upgrades over it by offering bigger 20-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, thigh extension for seats, heated and ventilated front seats, ambient interior lighting. Various optional features and packages are also available such as navigation package, towing package, premium package, and handling package.

Which Trim should you buy?

Although the Luxury trim seems very tempting because of all those additional features, the base trim would adequately suffice the requirements of all the traditional buyers. With improvement to the standard features made for 2021 MY, buyers now get access to features such as a blind-spot monitoring system, power-folding exterior mirrors, and rear cross-traffic alert which makes everything better. Don't worry about additional features as Lexus offers vast customization through different packages. 

Just like its predecessors, the 2021 Lexus RX 350L is powered by a 3.5 Liter V6 engine which manages to produce 290 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and power is sent to the front wheels by default. However, buyers can also opt for an AWD setup, which improves ride stability. As for the performance, the automatic transmission feels average at best as it occasionally misses while downshifting. 

The V6 engine is also not the fastest in its class as it manages to move RX 350L from 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds and helps it finish a quarter-mile race in 15.5 seconds. Despite being slower than the others it does sound decent and once you get it moving the overall smoothness it offers is amazing. Go at cruising speed and suddenly you will feel like taking it on long route trips. 

RX 350 L's engine might be slower on the road but does offer a great cruising experience. However, when compared to its rivals it only manages to surpass Volvo XC90. The BMW X5 sDrive40i, on the other hand, produces the highest power and torque figures of 335hp and 331lb.-ft, respectively. Unsurprisingly, it is the quickest SUV in the segment clocking 5.2 seconds to the 60mph mark, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE Class ranks second taking an additional 1.4 seconds to achieve a similar feat.

How well does the 2021 Lexus RX 350L handle?

We have already mentioned above how RX 350L might feel boring while flooring the pedal but once it starts moving, the experience slowly starts getting better. But going in straight lines is not the only thing which it can do nicely, take it to the complex roads and the RX 350 L's smoothness stays intact. As it comes with a well-weighted steering wheel that feels pretty good on the road, maneuverability is not a concern for the Lexus. 

The suspension system is equally impressive as it rectifies medium to large bumps effortlessly. You can fully load it with people and go fast on corners and it will stay under control nicely or even decide to go on rough roads and still the vehicle will try its best to offer a smooth ride. Even body roll is impressively contained. While the FWD variants offer a decent experience, the available AWD setup improves performance exponentially.

2021 Lexus RX 350L Braking Performance

Lexus RX 350L comes with 12.9 and 13.3-inch front and rear disc brakes which are well ventilated and efficient. The system is paired with various braking assists including hill hold control. Keep in mind that the SUV weighs 4,464 pounds which is moderate for its class but load it fully with occupants and cargo it should get pretty heavy, either way, the braking system delivers exceptionally and is the reason that the mammoth SUV can be stopped from 60-0 mph in a distance of 125 feet. While the braking distance might not be class-leading, it seems decent enough. 

When compared to its rivals, the Lexus RX 350L comes with decent-sized brakes which are efficient enough to provide optimal control. However, the 2021 BMW X5 continues to gain ascendancy over most of its rivals, with its impressive performance, considering that it is the heaviest option in the comparison. It does, however, stay behind the Volvo XC90, which makes use of 13.2 and 12.1-inch brakes, respectively, and comes to a halt at 113 ft, when decelerating from 60 mph.

The V6 engine of RX 350L might be slower on the road but the cruising experience it offers is pretty good, which is why it surprises us even more. Because expecting good fuel economy from engines like this feels like a mistake. But RX 350L manages to do the opposite. It offers a mileage of 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highways, and 22 mpg when combined. 

But with a large 19.2-gallon at its disposal, the 2021 Lexus RX 350L manages to average an impressive combined range of 422 miles. So, yes, one can argue about why anybody would want to go with RX 350L for daily usage, but the fuel economy answers all the questions. However, for long route trips, it simply isn’t the best option in its class.

RX 350L offers an acceptable fuel economy but compare it to its rivals and you will soon find it behind the others as Volvo offers the best in class mileage of 25 MPG. The Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, shares the same stats as Lexus. But at the end of the day, it is the fuel tank capacity that changes everything. The 2021 GLE-Class offers 470 miles of combined range, while the BMW leads the segment breaching the 500-mile mark. 

The inside of the RX 350L offers a spacious cabin with a beautiful design and excellent noise isolation. The material quality in most areas feels premium and the hard plastic is only used in areas out of one’s reach. Multiple colors are available and the latest entry ‘glazed caramel’ has great visual appeal to it. The dashboard might look driver eccentric from afar because of the metallic accents but in reality, it is not. Still, the power-adjustable steering wheel offers good range and a heated version is also available. 

As for the occupants, power-adjustable bucket seats are available at the front, and split-folding bench seats are available for the second and third row. Despite being a seven-seater it feels as if Lexus made it forcefully. While both front and second-row seats offer excellent levels of comfort and room for the occupants, the third row is best suited for kids or to store additional cargo. You will have to slide up the second-row seat to fit in some adults in the back. Unlike others, the cargo capacity RX 350L offers is also poor. Thank goodness, the inside of the cabin offers plenty of cubbies for small items.

When stacked against the rivals, the RX 350L offers ample room for first and second-row occupants which is better than what Volvo XC90 offers. But it’s the cramped up third-row bench seat that handicaps it as all three rivals offer bigger volume in the back. Even the standard cargo capacity of Lexus is way lesser than the others. Yes, you can increase it but only by folding down the second and third-row seats. It can only tow up to 3500 pounds which is average for its class. 

In comparison with the German rivals, the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and BMW X5 have seating capacities of five passengers each. While this does mean that both these SUVs are devoid of third-row seating, cargo capacities improve exponentially to around 34 cu.-ft, as opposed to Lexus’s 7.5 cubic feet of space. 

Standout interior features:

• Heated and ventilated front bucket seats
• Power adjustable and heated steering wheel
• Remote keyless entry and ignition
• Three-zone automatic climate control
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel 
• Electrochromic rearview mirror

What’s there to keep you entertained?

For the entertainment of the occupants, the Lexus RX 350L offers an infotainment system that comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen. The display might be smooth and responsive but it’s the UI that is way too complex and going to exhaust anyone. Buyers can upgrade to a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen which seems perfect for navigation. Do not worry about the UI though as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa integration makes everything better. 

Lexus Enform App Suite is also available which feels like a hit or miss. Plenty of USB ports are available as standard, and new for 2021 is an optional wireless charging pad that increases the cabin’s quirkiness. The standard nine-speaker sound system works decently because of the impressive noise isolation inside the cabin. However, buyers do have an option to upgrade to 12 or even a 15-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system which delivers exceptionally. 

Standout infotainment features:

• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support
• Amazon Alexa support
• Wireless charging
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• Auxiliary Audio Input

The exterior design of Lexus RX 350L is clearly one of its main strengths as it comes with a very complex yet attractive design. Too many sharp edges and straight lines can be found comprising chrome parts. At the front, you will find spike-like sharp headlights with automatic high beams. In the middle of those is the big traditional spindle-shaped Lexus grille with chrome outline which extends to the bottom of the front bumper with metal inserts. On sides, black bodyside cladding can be found with hard bend below rear doors which might confuse some for side skirts. 

Power folding heated side mirrors and chrome-trimmed windows are available as standard. On top, roof racks are available but buyers can opt for a sunroof via the Premium package. The SUV rides on 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, while buyers can also opt for the available 20-inch wheels. The rear complements the front by having the same kind of sharp-designed taillights and a lip spoiler on top. A power liftgate is standard, but the entry for cargo is a bit higher than usual because of 8.1 inches of ground clearance. Additionally, it sports the shortest wheelbase of 109.8 inches, which is one reason why space feels a tad bit cramped on the inside. 

Dimensions wise it is somewhat similar to its rivals except for XC90 which is bigger and weight-wise it is only lighter than Merc and Volvo that weigh 4,608 and 4,828 lbs, respectively. On the other hand, the ground clearance it offers is pretty good for its class and rough roads. Keep in mind though that the Volvo XC90 offers even better clearance than the Lexus of 9.4 inches.

In terms of design, however, it is difficult to declare a certain winner amongst the class. With new-fangled and contemporary designs, each SUV in the segment manages to fit in an element of subtlety in a rather aggressive silhouette. While we find the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class to be the most sought-after design, the Lexus is also a looker. 

Standout exterior features:

• 20-inch wheels
• Black bodyside cladding
• Power liftgate
• Power folding and heated exterior mirrors
• Sunroof
• Rear Spoiler

When it comes to the safety of the vehicle and its occupants, Lexus has done a decent job while making the RX 350L. As it received four out of five stars in crash tests by the NHTSA which is fairly good. Its sibling RX 350 received the maximum possible rating of ‘good’ from IIHS and got rewarded with the ‘Top Safety Pick’ title. As for the assists and features, Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 is available which loads a forward collision mitigation system, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind-spot monitoring system, lane departure warning system, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. 

These features work properly as intended and keep the vehicle and its occupants safe. We must mention that the visibility to the rear is very poor so having a backup camera is a must. So buyers better opt for the optional 360-degree camera system. 

Standout safety features:

• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
• Lane departure warning system
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert 
• A forward collision mitigation system
• Lane-keeping assist
• 360-degree camera system

2021 Lexus RX 350L vs 2021 Mercedes Benz GLE 350

When compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, the Lexus RX 350L only manages to offer a smooth driving experience, higher passenger capacity, and cabin with ample level of comfort. However, it’s the GLE-Class that exceeds in all other aspects. Despite housing a lower-powered engine, the Merc SUV manages to outrun the Lexus on the road and offers excellent fuel economy. Even the braking performance it offers is superior to the Lexus and with better passenger and cargo space on offer, it emerges as the more practical option. 

2021 Lexus RX 350L vs 2021 Volvo XC90

When stacked against Volvo XC90, RX 350L comes out with an engine that is more powerful and faster on the road. The fuel tank capacity it offers is superior and the room for front and second-row occupants are better. Volvo XC90 on the other hand offers a better driving range, is lighter on the road which certainly results in better braking performance, and the standard cargo capacity is clearly better.

2021 Lexus RX 350L vs 2021 BMW X5

Perhaps, the above comparisons depict the winner of this comparison. The BMW X5 is a niche vehicle that is both quirky and multi-purpose. It gets a potent powertrain that delivers the best-in-class performance while upholding efficiency in the highest regard. Additionally, the German SUV delivers better results in the deceleration test, even while being considerably heavier. It gets better cargo and passenger space and has an enticing design at its disposal. The only place where the Lexus does manage to take a lead is in its reliabilty, but the X5 in itself is a safe vehicle and consequently, it emerges victorious in the segment. 

2021 RX 350L is one of those vehicles that is well-versed with its capabilities. Though it does get a slow-moving engine, Lexus has focused on providing class-leading ride quality with the SUV. It offers a smooth driving experience, however, suffers due to its average fuel economy and braking performance. It sports a beautiful and comfortable cabin but lacks the room for the third row and has abysmal cargo capacity. So we will only suggest Lexus RX 350L if one has a knack for Lexus vehicles and can overlook its negatives.