2023 Lexus RX 350 F Sport AWD
Class: Premium midsize crossover
Shade: Grecian Water
Miles pushed: 117
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B- |
| Match and End | A |
| Gasoline Economic system | B |
| Worth | B+ |
| 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 mirror Client Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | B+ |
| Tall Man | B |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 275-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Kind | Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Noticed gasoline economic system: 20.1 mpg
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 21/28/24 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gasoline sort: Premium gasoline
Snow Efficiency: N/A
Base value: $56,600 (not together with $1150 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Chilly Space Package deal ($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), Visitors Jam Help ($620), door edge guards ($155), rear bumper applique ($90), operating boards ($725)
Value as examined: $64,395
Fast Hits
The good: Comfy and upscale cabin, long-trip freeway refinement
The great: Simple-to-use infotainment system
The not so good: Often clunky low-speed energy supply
Tom Appel:
Any dialogue surrounding the Lexus RX ought to embrace a hat’s-off recognition of the automobile’s place in automotive historical past. Largely forgotten right this moment, 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 method was easy sufficient: Borrow the structure of a wonderful 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 at all times been greater than sum of its components. Design execution and meeting high quality play big roles right here, and the RX has at all times appeared and felt as if the design and meeting folks chargeable for the automobile 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 centered because it has ever been, however…the V6 is gone. There’s nonetheless loads of energy on faucet, and it’s doubtless 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 this can be 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 area 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 soar 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 out there completely within the performance-oriented RX500h. Not but accessible, 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 provided with a 3rd seating row. A brand new longer Lexus mannequin, the TX, based mostly 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 take a look at automobile, effectively outfitted with such niceties as LED headlamps, the aforementioned premium audio system, and operating boards, got here to $64,395.
Typically referred to by Lexus, totally on its web site because the RX 350 F Sport Dealing with, the 350 F Sport, in contrast to the five hundred, doesn’t boast an influence pump relative to its RX stablemates. As a substitute, 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 usually, the drive-mode selector has been moved from the console onto the touchscreen. That is type of a trouble if you hit the freeway and need 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 web influence of the brand new drivetrain appears negligible. That mentioned, the drivetrain is just not 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 incorrect 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 take a look at automobile proved spry sufficient, with responsive steering, loads of energy, and affective brakes. No complaints from this driver, however know that the F Sport is just not direct competitors for BMW M fashions, not Mercedes-Benz AMG automobiles. That mentioned, we wait with anticipation to spend time with the RX 500h, which guarantees to be entertaining to spend time with.
Inside, the RX 350 may be very very similar to the previous RX, solely higher. The cabin continues to be an understated elegant affair, and there’s loads of grownup area in each seating rows. And, prone to the delight of most repeat Lexus clients, the previous touch-pad fashion infotainment interface has been changed by a traditional—and really effectively designed—touchscreen system. I didn’t hate the touchpad, however it appears as if almost everybody else did. It’s gone now. Drawback solved.
We had been disenchanted that a number of instances throughout our analysis, our telephones out of the blue disconnected from the infotainment system, this throughout music/podcast play. The one method we discovered to reconnect our gadgets was to close the automobile 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 automobile manufacturers. The Lexus Security System+ 3.0 suite of ordinary options just about each such system now accessible, together with Street Signal Help, adaptive cruise management, Curve Pace Administration, Secure Exist Help, and Intuitive Parking Help.
The brand new RX is extra refined, extra environment friendly, and extra technologically superior than the automobile it replaces. Whereas we’ll (I’ll) miss the graceful previous V6, it’s arduous to argue that this benchmark premium midsize crossover isn’t nonetheless a best-in-class providing, particularly when value enters the equation. And even when it isn’t actually sporty, we respect the F Sport for its improved dealing with and aggressive styling.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2023 Lexus RX 350 F Sport Gallery
Click on under for enlarged photographs
