2024 Lexus RX: Too Relaxed For Fun 

If you've ever been in the market for a luxury crossover, it's almost certain that you checked out the Lexus RX. The Lexus RX has been the best-selling vehicle for the brand for almost a decade. So, despite just being redesigned last year, Lexus has added a new PHEV trim. 

The 2024 Lexus RX price starts at $49,950. Today, I’ll be reviewing the 2024 Lexus RX 350 Luxury trim to see if it can take on the likes of the Acura MDX, Genesis GV80, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE. Let’s have a look at the pricing of the different RX 350 trims. 

Radical Exterior Design

 The new-generation Lexus RX has many distinct design elements. One of those really distinct elements, of course, is the new signature lip, which kind of bleeds over into the spindle grille with the body color finish. It is a distinct-looking element, and it's also distinctly different from the Lexus TX.

Coming to the headlights, my test example came with the optional triple beam LED headlights. Surely these LED headlights add to the premium look, and you've got the arrowhead daytime running light and turn signal indicator above it. Down below, there are LED fog lights. 

As we head towards the rear design, you're going to find the latest Lexus design language very pleasing. Yeah, it's a very handsome look overall, in my opinion. The tail lights are connected, and all three elements, including the brake lights, reverse lights, and indicators, are LED in nature. 

 Smart Concealing

The wiper is aesthetically hidden underneath the spoiler, which gives it a clean look. Some luxury cars don’t get this feature, and if they do, most of them are eyesores. Now, as we drop down to the lower area, there is a silver finish for this model. Also, no RX models are going to have exposed exhaust outlets. 

Moving on to the wheels, we have a lot of different choices. So it starts with 19-in alloy wheels, but you can work your way up to 21-in alloy wheels, which is actually what you get with the top-tier luxury trim.

So, there's a nice gray finish to the wheels, and that's exclusive to this trim. It looks very nice now, and it also looks nice in contrast to this pearly white paint. 

More exterior paint options on the line

One of the 2024 updates I need to talk about is that we have some new colors, including Cloudburst Gray Metallic. Also, probably, there’s going to be expanded availability of the Copper Crest color that we saw on the 500h performance models last year.

It surely looks like no other color on the market. However, I feel that it's better suited for EVs. The mirrors come with power folding, auto dimming, blind spot monitoring, and heating. 

Splendid Interior 

Inside, of course, you do have the latest RX design from the full redesign last year. The interior material and color options first of all now with this model there are a ton of options. You have five different interior material selections in terms of your seating, but for the luxury trim, you get semi-aniline leather.

Meticulously Crafted Seats

We have a really nice supple leather running through the center section and we also have the Alcantara inserts which have the quilted design on the sides.

As far as our color choices are concerned you can choose the Black Macadamia or Peppercorn. You do have some additional adjustments for the Luxury model which include your power thigh extension. 

The door trim gets a nicely padded leather armrest with stitching detail and it's going to be leather all through the center section. We also have Alcantara running through the middle of the door trim.

Moving up to the upper dash there is going to be a soft touch plastic and you just get more of that Alcantara trim and you'll notice a lot of nice open pore wood.

Being a Lexus everything is very solid. So, there’s approximately an 8-in gauge display. It is a kind of a partially digital gauge cluster design and you can't do a lot in terms of reconfiguring.

Many of the trim levels include a head-up display and the same can be controlled via the touch capacitive controls on the steering wheel on both sides. The steering wheel gets the latest Lexus design and is very nicely finished.

The center console offers very good storage space. In front of that you get your two cup holders and you can slide back a piece of wood to reveal a nicely sized storage bin that is quite deep. You'll also find your wireless phone charging pad on board alongside the USB-C port.

The shift lever is pretty compact and easy to use. Also, you do have paddle shifters on the steering wheel. You also get advanced park assist with remote park function.

It allows for automatic maneuvers such as parallel and perpendicular parking with 12 ultrasonic sensors and the same can be done outside the vehicle via the Lexus app. However, the same is part of the Convenience Package.

The Luxury trim does get a 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay audio system as an optional feature and it does sound very good. The climate controls are located in the lower section of the infotainment display but you also have the physical controls right there for your temperature adjustment.

We have a three zone automatic setup with the Premium Plus trim level and above trim levels. Also, the front seats are heated and ventilated for all trims except the base trim. 

Intuitive and Responsive Infotainment System

The 2024 Lexus RX Luxury gets a large 14-inch infotainment display. It gets some nice features, including wireless Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. Also, everything is just going to be located through these very simple five little shortcuts.

So it's an easy and responsive system. You also get a panoramic sunroof this year as standard on just the Luxury trim level, and it’s a large piece of glass. You can also open up the front panel.

The rear seats are very comfortable 

Talking about rear seats, there’s 37.4 inches of legroom and 37 inches of headroom, and that's a good amount of space for a midsize vehicle like this. However, it’s not the best in class space, but I could slide up my feet easily underneath the seat and felt comfortable.

On the luxury model, we have three-stage heated rear seats as well. We also have a nice fold-down central armrest with cup holders inside for the rear passengers. 

The rear seat can recline with the press of a button for better comfort. Walking up to the tailgate, we do have a power tailgate as standard equipment, and there’s an optional kick sensor. So, just kick your foot under the bumper, and as you can see, it does open right up. 

Futuristic Styling Compromise Cargo Space

However, there’s just 29 cubic feet behind the second row of seats, and if we fold those down, we have a maximum of about 46 cubic feet. Compared with the Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5, it's very low.

It’s less than some of the cars below its segment. Fortunately, the rear seats are 40/20/40 split folding seats instead of 60/40, so that gives you the additional capability.

2024 Lexus RX 350 Gets A Single Powertrain

Under the hood of every 2024 Lexus RX 350 is a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine. It makes 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. So that’s more torque and less power than the previous-generation’s V6 engine. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, and FWD is standard, while AWD is available. 

0-60 time is just about acceptable.

The 2024 Lexus RX 350 can do a 0–60 sprint in a matter of 7.5 seconds with the FWD, while the AWD variants will bring that time down to 7.2–7.3 seconds. However, the Lexus RX shines with mpg ratings.

The 2024 Lexus RX 350 is EPA-estimated to deliver 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. With available AWD, those figures drop by 1 mpg.

2024 Lexus RX 350 Prioritizes Comfort Over Handling 

As soon as you roll onto the throttle, there’s a punchy feel that you get with a lot of turbo four-cylinder cars. However, that does not exactly translate into outright performance. As many rivals offer better performance than the RX 350,. 

The 2024 Lexus RX 350 just nails the ride quality, as it's an RX after all. Lexus has not messed with success for this new generation, and it rides really phenomenally, even with the 21-inch wheels. However, the Lexus RX is not a corner-craving machine. 

If you are looking for cornering fun, you’ll definitely miss it here. However, it's a decent handling machine if driven like a Lexus. For better handling, the F-Sport model would make more sense. Overall, the Lexus RX Luxury is luxurious, as the name suggests, with well-refined NVH levels. 

Should You Get The Lexus RX 350? 

Well, that depends on your priorities. The 2024 Lexus RX 350 comes with superior luxury, refinement, safety, and tech features that’s difficult to find in the segment.

However, the dynamic performance does not match its radical styling, and it is not a driver’s car. If you are a Lexus fan, then voila, there are more pros than cons to buying the Lexus RX 350.