Nov 26, 2019, 08:21 AM by Mike Blake

Since its launch in 1998, the Lexus RX has offered a combination of SUV versatility and luxury sedan-like comfort, earning it status as America’s best-selling luxury SUV. Refining itself with a dramatic mix of sharp creases and curves, the focal point of the front is the Lexus signature spindle grille, set off by an elegant chrome-plated surround and standard Bi-LED headlights.

Three years after the introduction of its fourth-generation, RX sees several changes for 2019. These upgrades include a two-tone instrument panel on the RX 350 Premium and RX 450h (hybrid) Premium with a Noble Brown interior; Lexus Enform Remote (smart watch and Amazon Alexa skill integration) is now offered; and Intuitive Parking Assist is no longer a stand-alone option.

For 2019, the available L-shaped premium LED headlights use three unique L-shaped elements per side. The spindle theme repeats at the rear, where L-shaped LED taillights envelop the tailgate and wrap into the rear fenders. Capping off the design is a floating-roof effect created by elegantly blacked-out C-pillars. Where the rubber meets the road, there’s a choice of three 20-inch wheel designs. Also, all RX paint colors feature a scratch-resistant self-restoring coat, using high-performance macromolecular polymer.

The elegantly sculpted 4387-lb. (for the AWD) RX 350 is constructed of unitized steel, and measures 192.5 inches long, 74.6 inches wide and 67.7 inches high on a 109.8-inch wheelbase.  Ground clearance is 8.2 inches and maximum towing capacity is 3500 lbs.

The RX 350 shows off its power with a 3.5-liter V-6 aluminum block engine, coupled with an 8-speed Automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission. The system is rated at 295 hp and 267 lbs.-ft. of torque, and the transmission, with “intelligence”, accelerates in car-like fashion. Behind the wheel and in the seats, RX350 seems faster than its stopwatch times. Accelerating from a stop is effortless, and passing at speed and conquering uphill grades are equally easy and predictable. At the track, my test RX350 finished off a zero-to-60mph run in 7.8 seconds during a 16.1-second quarter-mile. EPA rated at 19mpg/city, 26mpg/highway and 22mpg/overall for the AWD configuration, my test RX350 averaged 22.7mpg in mixed-use tests.

The RX 350’s electric power rack and pinion steering with electronic power assist was often vague, and understeer was apparent, but acceptable. Inside, for driver and passengers, the experience was as smooth as one would expect in a luxury vehicle. The all-wheel-drive set-up worked as expected and the MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and the rear double wishbone, smoothed out most road irregularities. 

The cabin is generously packed with intuitive, luxurious and high-tech conveniences. With seating for 5, interior dimensions are comfortable at 39.4 inches up front and 39.1 in the rear; legroom is 44.1 inches in row one and 38.0 inches in row two; and shoulder room is 57.8 and 57.6. The interior cabin is a treasure chest of amenities including automatic dual-zone climate control; dust and pollen particle and deodorizing interior air filter; dual sliding sun visors; electrochromic rearview mirror with compass; power door locks with anti-lock out feature; power tilt-and-telescopic steering column; power windows with one-touch auto up/down feature; steering wheel audio controls; Lexus Display Audio with an 8-inch screen and nine speakers; backup monitor and Bluetooth® hands-free phone and automatic phonebook download capabilities.

Safety items are also plentiful and include side impact door beams, a supplemental restraint system consisting of dual-stage and dual-chamber driver’s and front passenger’s airbag, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front side airbags, rear side curtain airbags and front and rear seat-mounted airbags; a tire pressure monitor system with available tire inflation display function; active front headrests; vehicle theft-deterrent and engine immobilizer system.

The base 2019 Lexus RX 350 starts at $43,820 in front-wheel drive and $45,220 in all-wheel drive. The seven-passenger 350L is priced at $48,020 for FWD and $49,420 for AWD; the dynamic sport-tuned RX 350F Sport starts at $49,470 (FWD) and $50,870 (AWD). If you go up to the 450h (gas-electric Hybrid), pricing starts at $46,245 in AWD, the 450hL in AWD is $50,970 and the RX 450h F Sport bases at $51,605.

My all-wheel-drive test RX 350 AWD in Matador Red Mica with a Black NuLuxe Leather with Striated Black trim interior added the Premium Package, for $1110, with Espresso Walnut and leather interior trim, a rear armrest storage compartment, rain-sensing wipers, leather interior trim, electrochromic power folding outside mirrors, and the Lexus Memory System; and a power moonroof with roof rails was added for $1350. Heated front seats cost $440; and the $3225 Navigation/Mark Levinson® Package was added with a 15-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio System, Navigation System, 12.3-inch color multimedia display, in-dash DVD/CD player, Lexus Enform App Suite, remote touch and climate control smog sensor. The Cold Weather Package added a Windshield Wiper De-Icer, Fast-Response Interior Heater and Auto-Leveling Headlamps for $315. A Touch-Free power rear door added $200; mud guards were $155; door edge guards were $140; running boards were $639; and a panoramic blind-spot monitor with rear-cross-traffic and braking was added for $1385. With the delivery and processing fee of $1025, my test 2019 all-wheel-drive Lexus RX350 stickered at $53,654.


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Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>