Lexus RX 2020 review: 350L Sports Luxury

The Lexus RX's exterior is modern and fresh and very different to the competitive set which is a good thing. There's no boxiness to this design like others in the category. It's very sleek and has a more pointed nose with tapered back angles. Even though it's a large car it looks sophisticated and stylish.

Inside is premium without being too over the top. There are quality finishes and trims throughout the car, with leather seats that are both heated and cooled, a digital dashboard, and well designed centre console area.

The steering wheel in this car is only partially covered in leather which, if you're a glass-half-full kind of person, will make you think it's keeping your hands in the right position for driving. I'm not a huge fan of the hard man-made material on the rest of the steering wheel however it does come in different finishes which look like they are a lot better than the one I tested.

This RX 350L Sports Luxury model comes with a sunroof and the interior of the car lights up at night which is always a hit with the kids.

I really enjoyed driving the RX 350L Sports Luxury. It's smooth, quick off the mark and doesn't feel heavy which is refreshing for a car of this size. This model has a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine which gets the car up hills quickly though I didn't drive it with a full load. It coasts along highways beautifully and I feel confident driving it on the road.

It's all-wheel drive (AWD) which means it has better traction on slippery or loose road surfaces like in the wet, or dirt/gravel/snow. Like most of the others in this category it's not a serious 4WD off-roader.

Parking is good once you get your head around the size of the car. It's not too difficult as the steering wheel turns easily, there's no major struggle squeezing into a park. You get a reverse parking camera and a 360-degree surround view camera which are clear and high res.

This model has a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine which gets the car up hills quickly though I didn’t drive it with a full load. (image: Dean McCartney)

One of my favourite features is that the car will remember your driving seat position and automatically slide into it. It really makes a difference when constantly swapping drivers with a much taller person.

Both front seats are power adjustable, heated and ventilated for cooling. The third row also goes up and down electronically by way of a button from the boot - make sure both seats are all the way down or the car will beep incessantly and you won't know what is wrong. You're welcome. The tailgate is also power operated.

I really enjoyed driving the RX 350L Sports Luxury. It’s smooth, quick off the mark and doesn’t feel heavy which is refreshing for a car of this size. (image: Dean McCartney)

There are two cupholders in the front, a spot for keys and a phone, a centre storage bin and bottle holders in the doors that pop open a little should your bottle be extra wide. I found the storage in here very useful this week.

The second row gets its own climate control, plus two cupholders in the centre armrest. Third row passengers also have air vents and two cupholders.

The Lexus RX 2020 range has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the line-up, along with a 12.3inch touchscreen which is a major improvement over the fiddly touchpad down on the centre console. Though I am better at using now, it's still not the technology you want to be using in 2020 and thankfully you don't have to anymore. The sound is great in here, turn the volume up.

Though I am better at using fiddly touchpad down on the centre console now, it’s still not the technology you want to be using in 2020 and thankfully you don’t have to anymore. (image: Dean McCartney)

The Lexus RX 350L Sports Luxury costs $101,600 before on-road costs. Fuel consumption comes in at 10.2L/100km which is high because it's a petrol engine, not a diesel or hybrid. However on the week I used it, my fuel consumption was 9.4L/100km, probably due to the high amount of highway driving I did that week.

It's covered by Lexus' four year/unlimited km warranty which is a step up from some other luxury car companies who still offer three years. Servicing is required every 12 months/15,000kms.