2023 Lexus RX 350 F Sport AWD
Class: Premium midsize crossover
Shade: Grecian Water
Miles pushed: 117
CG Report CardRoom and ComfortB+Energy and PerformanceB-Match and FinishAFuel EconomyBValueB+Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not replicate Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup.Large & Tall ComfortBig GuyB+Tall GuyBBig & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.Drivetrain Engine Specs275-horsepower 2.4-literEngine TypeTurbocharged 4-cylinderTransmission8-speed automaticDrive WheelsAWD
Noticed gasoline financial system: 20.1 mpg
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 21/28/24 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gasoline kind: Premium gasoline
Snow Efficiency: N/A
Base worth: $56,600 (not together with $1150 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Chilly Space Bundle ($100), Digital Key ($275), digital rear-view mirror ($200), LED headlamps ($1565), Panorama Glass Moonroof ($500), Mark Levinson audio system ($2265), energy rear hatch ($150), Site visitors Jam Help ($620), door edge guards ($155), rear bumper applique ($90), working boards ($725)
Value as examined: $64,395
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Fast Hits
The nice: Comfy and upscale cabin, long-trip freeway refinement
The great: Simple-to-use infotainment system
The not so good: Sometimes clunky low-speed energy supply
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Tom Appel:
Any dialogue surrounding the Lexus RX ought to embody a hat’s-off recognition of the car’s place in automotive historical past. Largely forgotten immediately, the 1998 Lexus RX was arguably the primary luxurious crossover. Extra importantly, it stays an trade benchmark by way of gross sales quantity, and in defining the class itself.
The RX system was easy sufficient: Borrow the structure of a superb crossover (Toyota Highlander), engineer the chassis for optimum passenger consolation, add a refined V6 powertrain, and improve the cabin to premium requirements.
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Although formulaically easy, God is within the particulars, and the Lexus RX has all the time been greater than sum of its elements. Design execution and meeting high quality play enormous roles right here, and the RX has all the time regarded and felt as if the design and meeting individuals liable for the car had been constructing it for themselves.
Redesigned for 2023, the RX has not strayed from its core mission. Certainly, it’s as refined and luxury targeted because it has ever been, however…the V6 is gone. There’s nonetheless loads of energy on faucet, and it’s possible that this creator is the one particular person lamenting the passing of the old-school, comparatively low-tech engine, however with it went a bit of little bit of powertrain refinement—only a bit—and I form of miss it. Extra on it is a second…
Although the RX has not grown in total size, its wheelbase has been stretched to 112 inches, a rise of greater than two inches. Many of the house created by that stretch has been allotted to the rear seating space, the place passengers will take pleasure in a dose of additional legroom.
With the redesign comes a bounce within the variety of trim degree/powertrain configurations—from eight to 10—and within the variety of powertrain choices, on this case from two to 4.
The 2022 RX was powered by both a 3.5-liter V6, or a hybridized model of the identical engine. As famous earlier, the V6 disappears for 2023, changed by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4. The hybrid V6 is changed in most trim ranges by a hybrid 2.5-liter 4. New for 2024 is a turbocharged and hybridized 2.4-liter. The brand new engine delivers 367 horsepower and is offered completely within the performance-oriented RX500h. Not but obtainable, however due quickly, is a plug-in hybrid drivetrain which borrows closely from the setup discovered within the Toyota RAV4 Prime—a profoundly spirted small crossover.
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RX350 fashions function the two.4-liter turbocharged engine. RX350h fashions are powered by the two.5-liter hybrid setup, and, as famous above, the RX500h has unique rights to the turbo/hybrid 2.4-liter mill.
Trim ranges ascend by base, Premium Plus, F Sport, Luxurious, and F Sport Efficiency. Base costs vary from round $50,000 to $65,000, not together with choices, none of which, save for the Mark Levinson audio system, are particularly dear.
Notice that shifting ahead, the RX is not going to be supplied with a third seating row. A brand new longer Lexus mannequin, the TX, primarily based on the lately launched Toyota Grand Highlander, will fill that function.
Client Information lately spent per week with an AWD 2023 RX 350 F Sport and got here away very impressed by the newest instance of Lexus’ midsize crossover. Our check car, nicely geared up with such niceties as LED headlamps, the aforementioned premium audio system, and working boards, got here to $64,395.
Generally referred to by Lexus, totally on its web site because the RX 350 F Sport Dealing with, the 350 F Sport, not like the five hundred, doesn’t boast an influence pump relative to its RX stablemates. As an alternative, the F Sport enjoys distinctive—and arguably sporty—inside and exterior trim upgrades, in addition to a specifically tuned model of the RX’s Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). Notice that, maybe as a result of drivers don’t fuss with them that always, the drive-mode selector has been moved from the console onto the touchscreen. That is type of a problem while you hit the freeway and wish to transfer from Sport to Consolation mode, an motion some drivers might usually take.
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As for the powertrain, the brand new 2.4-liter turbocharged engine produces 275 horsepower and mates to an 8-speed automated transmission. The 4 produces much less horsepower than the V6 it replaces, however significantly extra torque, and the online affect of the brand new drivetrain appears negligible. That stated, the drivetrain isn’t as clean because the silky V6 setup, shifting too usually at low speeds, and lagging throttle inputs briefly when rolling from cease. There’s nothing truly unsuitable with the 4-cylinder powertrain, it’s simply not as close to excellent because the previous powertrain was. On the plus aspect, the EPA mixed fuel-economy estimates for the fashions with the two.4-liter engine are up 2 mpg for 2023.
As we’ve famous earlier than, even in F Sport trim, most Lexus fashions aren’t truly sporty, and the 2023 RX 350 F Sport isn’t any exception. Our check car proved spry sufficient, with responsive steering, loads of energy, and affective brakes. No complaints from this driver, however know that the F Sport isn’t direct competitors for BMW M fashions, not Mercedes-Benz AMG automobiles. That stated, we wait with anticipation to spend time with the RX 500h, which guarantees to be entertaining to spend time with.
Inside, the RX 350 could be very very similar to the previous RX, solely higher. The cabin remains to be an understated elegant affair, and there’s loads of grownup house in each seating rows. And, more likely to the delight of most repeat Lexus clients, the previous touch-pad model infotainment interface has been changed by a standard—and really nicely designed—touchscreen system. I didn’t hate the touchpad, however it appears as if practically everybody else did. It’s gone now. Drawback solved.
We had been upset that a number of occasions throughout our analysis, our telephones all of a sudden disconnected from the infotainment system, this throughout music/podcast play. The one method we discovered to reconnect our gadgets was to close the car off, restart, and reconnect.
And a shout out to Lexus for not relegating fascinating security and comfort options to dear packages within the method of German luxurious car manufacturers. The Lexus Security System+ 3.0 suite of normal options just about each such system now obtainable, together with Street Signal Help, adaptive cruise management, Curve Pace Administration, Protected Exist Help, and Intuitive Parking Help.
The brand new RX is extra refined, extra environment friendly, and extra technologically superior than the car it replaces. Whereas we’ll (I’ll) miss the sleek previous V6, it’s onerous to argue that this benchmark premium midsize crossover isn’t nonetheless a best-in-class providing, particularly when worth enters the equation. And even when it isn’t really sporty, we respect the F Sport for its improved dealing with and aggressive styling.
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2023 Lexus RX 350 F Sport Gallery
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