The Lexus RX 350 is the luxury car maker's most important car - and we checked it out
Let's just get right down to it. The so-called spindle grille is completely polarizing. You love it, you hate, but you don't hold back your opinion. Frankly, I think it's hideous, but the RX 350 had always struggled with the impression that it was bland, so I can see why Lexus went bold. And the grille design does look better at SUV scale than it does on Lexus' cars.
In profile, the RX 350 is quite sleek, with the caged energy of a silvery panther. But the pseudo-haunches over both the front and rear wheels look weird, as does the odd "floating" roof.
There is just a hot mess of folded metal that fills the field of vision when you consider the RX 350 from an angle. Swoop! Slash! Curve! Eek!
F Sport is Lexus' answer to BMW's M and Mercedes' AMG division. This is the Lexus that zigs.
I don't think Lexus has changed this script since the late 1990s.
The dual exhaust is a sign of the crossover's sporting spirit, and on balance the rear end of the RX 350 shows the Lexus' best, er ... face.
You could slice right through a thick steak with those blades!
The swordlike motif is picked up with the taillights.
And then there's this jittery clustering of angles.
And it's all topped off with yet another blade-like element acting as a spoiler and housing the Cylon-esque third brake light. By your command, RX 350!
The good old Lexus badge does remind you, however, that this can't possibly be too aggressive a departure for loyal RX 350 buyers.
And once you slip inside, the world begins to feel more familiar. That perforated-leather-wrapped steering wheel is just the first course.
The instruments are soothing.
Lovely details.
The infotainment system runs off a substantial center screen that's controlled with a puck-like thingy that resides between the seats. The screen doesn't retract, and while it satisfies all the necessary functions — audio, navigation, Bluetooth connections, and so on — it simply doesn't feel as up-to-date as what you can get in a Cadillac, Audi, or BMW.
There's the puck.
Nice crisp images from the backing camera.
A comfortable place overall for driver and passenger. One thing that you just have to deal with, because this is a Toyota product: The plastics can seem very plasticky. It doesn't seem cheap. Just not really all that ... special.
Although this is an F Sport trim, the seats aren't excessively bolstered. There's also a blissful absence of flamboyant topstitching.
There is a touch of topstitching here and there, however.
The rest of the controls for heating, cooling, and other vehicle functions are basic, but ...
... check out that sweetly minimalist clock. Elegant!
The SOS button can connect you with Lexus in an emergency. It's like General Motor's OnStar.
Door handles and other features get the lightly chromed treatment.
The view out the back window is decent but not great. The cargo area handled everything I threw at it, and I have a family of five.
And the back seats are roomy and relaxing. There's room for two adults back there, or three kids. Three adults might feel cramped.
Ah, but that panoramic moon roof is glorious for those seated in the back!
The RX 350 continues to get the job done in the driving department. I think of the experience as "default crossover." You've paid for that distinctive Lexus-y blend of don't-have-to-think-about-it driving, good utility, and enough fine luxury appointments to assure you that you aren't in a Toyota.
The F Sport goodies add some oomph, but they don't overdo it. A 3.5-liter V6 serves up 295 horsepower, and the AWD system can handle nasty weather. (We had some during our test week.) The F Sport stuff kicks in when you adjust the drive setting to take advantage of them, and they join the crossover a more urgent to the road, thanks to a peppier suspension. You've got paddle shifters if you're into that kind of thing with cars like this. Hey, it's fun. Lexus says it will do 0-60 in about eight seconds. But a sports car this is not.
The 2016 RX 350, with a "silver lining metallic" paint job was one of those cars that tested out EXACTLY as expected. OK, the design is going to be a bit much for the 'burbs. But otherwise the crossover that started it all is holding up its responsibilities admirably.
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