Lexus RX 350 2018 review: snapshot

The Lexus RX 350 unlocks the a punchy V6 engine (the RX 300 makes do with a turbocharged four-cylinder unit), which goes some way to justifying a bigger price tag.

That tag, by the way, is $81,421, which will nab you the Luxury trim. The F Sport-flavoured version is $93,721, while the top-spec Sport Luxury is $99,871.

The Luxury cars arrive with 20-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, LED headlights and fog lights (with daytime running lights), keyless entry, roof rails and rain-sensing wipers. While inside, expect dual-zone climate control, sat nav, push-button start and leather trim.

Explore the 2018 Lexus RX range

• Lexus RX 350L 2018 review
• Lexus RX 300 2018 review: snapshot
• Lexus RX 350 2018 review: snapshot
• Lexus RX 2018 review: 350L

Step up to the F Sport and you’ll add a bigger, 12.3-inch infotainment screen that adds a CD player and DVD player and pairs with a better Mark Levinson sound system complete with 15 speakers (including a subwoofer). Finally, the Sport Luxury adds soft leather trim elements, heated seats in the second row and a power folding function for the backseat. 

RX 350’s six-cylinder petrol engine is good for 221kW/370Nm, sending that power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with fuel economy pegged at 9.6L/100km and 223g/km on the claimed/combined cycle. 

Even the cheapest RX (which, admittedly, isn’t all that cheap) arrives with a long list of standard safety features, including a reversing camera, blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, AEB, lane assist and parking sensors (but no park assist). You’ll also find 10 airbags, and twin ISOFIX mountings for your baby car seat, too, as well as cruise control and usual suite of braking and traction control systems.