2016 Lexus RX350 Review: A Luxurious Crossover

The 2016 Lexus RX350 has become quite an icon since its inception. It has emerged as the go-to car for families requiring affordable luxury with decent ground clearance. With the all-new model, Lexus has a lot to live up to. Let’s look at it in detail.

Exterior

It was about time the RX got a makeover—after 8 years to be precise. The refreshed 2013 model was basically a nip/tuck job featuring the famous spindle grille that has become the face of all Toyota/Lexus vehicles. This new RX350 looks bold and aggressive, with edges everywhere, including the headlights and taillights.

I tested the F-Sport trim, the most elite trim. The spindle grille forms a major part of the front fascia and is accompanied by angular lines. The sporty daytime running lights (DRLs) complement the edgy headlights, giving a look uncommon among crossovers. Add to that a sunroof, 20” alloys, and dual exhausts, and you have a sporty crossover.

Interior

The interior of the F-Sport trim features a striking red and black color scheme, with red sports seats and black trims throughout. The two-tone interior resembles something Mercedes would offer, which works very well. A touch of aluminum adds to the premium look of the car.

The biggest highlight is the 12.3-inch monitor (note: it is not a touchscreen). The screen design is beautiful, and the colors are crisp. However, the interface could be improved; I feel that Lexus should replace the joystick with a wheel, as moving the pointer across the screen is cumbersome. It is also challenging to focus on the road while navigating the interface. While this upgrade from the touchpad is a step forward, it still needs work.

Other than that, this trim is loaded with all the safety systems Lexus is famous for. The wireless charging pad is a personal favorite, along with the 360-degree camera—by far the best I've seen. I enjoyed using that camera whenever I was in traffic because it is incredibly cool.

Drive

The test car was an RX350, equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 naturally aspirated engine that produces 295 BHP and 267 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox featuring paddle shifts. It provides ample power for city cruising and offers instant acceleration for overtaking. The RX350 delivers one of the smoothest rides available in the market, consistent with the performance of other Lexus models. The gearbox, adaptive suspension, and throttle are in sync, contributing to an exceptionally comfortable driving experience.

However, keep in mind that this is not a car for driving enthusiasts; the performance figures are not particularly impressive. In my test run, the RX350 achieved 0-100 kph in 8 seconds and 100-0 kph in 3.2 seconds. Switching to sports mode does enhance the throttle response and stiffens the suspension slightly, but that’s about it.

All in all, the RX350 fulfills the role of a luxury crossover—moving from point A to B in comfort.

Verdict

The new RX350 maintains the principles of its predecessor while presenting a sportier appearance.