The Lexus RX has been a best-seller for Lexus for decades now, dominating the luxury crossover SUV market with a quietly luxurious formula that works for lots of different shoppers. It isn’t exciting, but buyers don’t expect it to be. Instead, it focuses on user-friendliness, efficiency and hassle-free motoring. Now in its fourth generation, the RX got a big refresh in 2020. The basic recipe hasn’t changed since the first RX in 1998, but the crossover is now available in more configurations, and with more technology.

A midsized crossover SUV with seating for five, the basic RX is 192.5 inches long, but there’s also a three-row “L” version that measures 196.9 inches. Both configurations are available as a regular gas-powered machine with front or all-wheel drive, or as a gasoline-electric hybrid. (Though not, as at BMW and Volvo, as a PHEV). The L’s added size puts it in contention with some pretty large competitors, many of which have larger third rows, and perhaps spreads the RX’s secret sauce a little too thin.

Three are three models of the gasoline RX, the RX 350 ($46,643 including destination), the RX 350 F SPORT ($50,125) and the RX 350L ($49,875) and three models of the RX hybrid, the RX 450h ($49,095), the RX 450h F SPORT ($52,575) and the RX 450hL ($52,485).  RX350s are front-wheel-drive, with AWD as an option for all three for an additional $1,400.  All share the same 3.5-liter V6 rated at 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. 

While Lexus’ “Spindle” grille is polarizing, the rest of the RX is handsome and modern but instantly recognizable as this familiar, and popular, crossover. The RX has been a best-seller among premium midsize crossovers for two decades now. Lexus

All three RX hybrid models are AWD-only and share the same hybrid powerplant, combining a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine rated at 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque with three electric motors, one handling the generator, engine starter and transmission ratio control, one that drives the front wheels and applies regenerative braking and a third that does the same for the rear wheels.

As with Lexus’ much smaller UX, the Hybrid makes a very compelling case for itself. No automaker offers a direct competitor, and the RX450h easily blows away most other SUVs of its size on fuel economy. Arguably the closest analog is BMW’s X5 xDrive 45e, a plug-in Hybrid. The Lexus isn’t a PHEV, but it returns up to 30 mpg combined. The non-hybrid 350s, however, are only so-so for the class, returning about the same mileage as the Acura MDX and the X5. 

While pleasant to drive and a largely hassle-free experience, the RX can’t be classified as “sporty,” even in the optional F SPORT trim. The F SPORT is an appearance, feature and handling package, adding 20-inch wheels, F SPORT interior and exterior badging, LED ambient lighting, aluminum trim, driver seat and outdoor mirror memory, and a variety of fast and furious cosmetic additions. The handling upgrades include an adaptive variable suspension and sport steering.

The RX’s interior, however, is comforting and plush. Standard equipment on all RXs is generous, with rain-sensing wipers, a full suite of active safety features, a nine speaker audio system and dual-zone climate control included. The F SPORT adds a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats and a power moonroof to the already long equipment list.

The L model adds a third row of seating, upgrades the climate control to three zones and converts the second row to captain’s chairs. That sounds quite family-friendly, but in truth, the third row is shoehorned in where it probably shouldn’t be. The result is a space useful for only very tiny tots and less room through the rest of the vehicle. The extra size and weight of the L also slightly blunts both performance and fuel efficiency.

The RX is convenience-minded and user-friendly, offering a slew of handy features including a hands-free powered tailgate.  Lexus

Performance: 8/15

At its heart, the 2022 Lexus RX is what it has been since its introduction in 1998, an elegant, luxurious and genteel midsize crossover. This is not a vehicle for stoplight racing. Getting to 60 miles per hour from a standing start takes just under eight seconds for the RX 350 and just over eight seconds for hybrid models. The longer, heavier three-row “L” models are even slower with either engine. 

While Lexus does offer a hot-looking F-SPORT, no amount of black trim, badging and spoilers will speed up the RX. That said, the F SPORT does sharpen the handling characteristics of the RX with its adaptive variable suspension and sport steering. The reflexes are noticeably quicker on winding mountain roads. With an optional ($270) towing prep package, all RX models have a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, which is below average for SUVs of this size. The Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 and the BMW X5 are both much quicker and have higher towing capacities. The Acura MDX is somewhere in the middle on both counts, but has a much sportier personality.

Fuel Economy: 15/15

The RX 350’s combined EPA average of 23 miles per gallon is about average for the class and similar to most versions of the (non-M) X5. It’s also marginally better than the GLE 350 and MDX. But where the RX really shines is in the hybrid stakes.The hybrid RX450h averages 30 miles per gallon combined and loses only 1 mpg when configured as the RX 450hL, numbers that are much higher than most comparable SUVs.

The closest competitor, the BMW X5 PHEV, has a combined average of 50 MPGe, but depends on it being plugged in and 31 miles driven on pure electricity before the hybrid takes over. Driven purely as a gasoline/electric hybrid, the BMW’s combined average is 20 mpg, three miles per gallon less than a gasoline-powered X5.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 12/15

The 2022 Lexus RX is an Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick and received a five-star rating overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Ten airbags come standard along with Lexus Safety System 2.0+ (lane tracing assist, road sign assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and intelligent high-beam headlamps.

 A major interior refresh in 2020 brought the SUV’s infotainment screen much closer to the driver and added touchscreen functionality, a big improvement, but some functions are still routed through the frustrating touchpad on the console.  Lexus

Comfort & Room: 12/15

The RX features a luxurious, logical cabin and comfy, supportive seats. Most controls are well-marked and easy to reach. Forward legroom is generous at 44.1 inches, besting the Mercedes, Acura and BMW. Second-row passengers in the Lexus have 38.0 inches for their legs, a fraction more than in the X5 but half an inch less than in the MDX and almost three inches less than in the GLE 350.

In the seven-seat L models, however, there are lots of compromises. Legroom suffers for both the first and second rows, dropping to 41.4 inches up front, and a very tight 30.9 in the second row. This is to accommodate the third row, which itself has a fit-for-tiny-tots-only 22.5 inches of legroom, making it one of the tightest third rows on the market, with seven inches less legroom than the optional third row in the much smaller Mercedes-Benz GLB.

Infotainment, tech, and controls: 11/15

The 2020 refresh of the RX line brought a much more contemporary look to its standard eight-inch infotainment screen and touchscreen functionality, but some functions are still routed through the old trackpad, which is difficult to use precisely while driving. At the very least, Lexus still provides traditional rotary knobs for volume control and tuning the radio. The RX is also one of the last vehicles to still come with a factory CD player. The nine-speaker audio system produces lovely sound, and there are six USB ports to plug your old iPod into.

Optional at extra cost ($3,365) is the Navigation/Mark Levinson premium audio package with Lexus Enform Dynamic Navigation, voice command and destination assist plus an upgraded 15-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system and a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen.

The RX’s cargo hold looks bigger than it is, with just 32.6 cubic-feet with the rear seats folded down. In the slightly larger L, this number rises to 34.1, and both are very small for the class. Lexus

Cargo Space & Storage: 5/15

The RX doesn’t have all that much cargo space for its size. In regular versions, there are 16 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 32.6 with them folded, which is actually less than Lexus’ one-size-smaller NX. BMW’s X5 delivered 35.8 and 76.7 cubic-feet, respectively, and Mercedes’ GLE 350 33.3 and 74.9. 

Things aren’t any better in the three-row L, with a paltry 6.2 cubic feet with the third row in place and 15.3 with it folded. Lowering all the seats results in just 34.1 cubic-feet, less than a much smaller BMW X2. Neither the two- nor the three-row RXs have much in the way of inventive in-cabin storage either, just door pockets, a center console and a glove box. The only direct competitor with a standard third row is the Acura MDX, which offers far more room: 18.1 cubic-feet with the third row in place, 39.1 with it folded, and 71.4 cubic-feet overall.

Style & Design: 8/10

The Lexus RX has been refined quite a bit since its introduction 25 years ago. While the end result of a quarter-century of change is significant, if you parked a first-generation RX next to a 2022 model, you would still be able to tell that they are both Lexus RXs. It’s a strong identity and one popular with buyers. The love-it-or-hate-it “spindle” grille is probably the model’s most controversial design choice, but overall the RX’s styling does a good job of conveying that it is a premium crossover SUV. The interior design continues to hit all the high notes buyers in this segment expect, with quality materials, excellent fit and finish and modern, if not cutting-edge, design.

The RX-L adds a third row, and captain’s chairs in row two improve access. Shoehorning in the tiny third row, however, makes the first two rows appreciably smaller. Lexus

Is the 2022 Lexus Worth It?  Which Lexus RX Is The Best Value?

At $46,643 (including destination), the 2022 Lexus RX 350 is a very good value given the luxury appointments and standard feature content. Unless you regularly drive twisting roads and like to drive them fast, the extra money for the F SPORT is hard to justify. If you’re into those hobbies, more speed is also available elsewhere.

The fuel savings of the hybrid model are impressive and certainly stand out from other SUVs, but the EPA estimates a saving of $1,250 over five years compared to the gasoline model, meaning it would take ten years of ownership for the extra expense of the 450h ($49,345) to pay for itself in fuel savings. In part, this is because the hybrid drinks premium fuel while the non-hybrid takes regular.  

As for the L model, it is the only way to have an RX and seat seven, but in seating seven it reduces comfort levels for all passengers and involves too many compromises. There are better three-row premium crossovers out there if you really need occasional third-row capacity.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2022 Lexus RX?

The Lexus RX’s insurance costs are about average for its segment. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with clean record can expect an average annual premium of $2,073, though this averages all 50 states. That compares to $2,348 for the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, $1,899 for the Acura MDX, $1,828 for the Lincoln Nautilus and $1,991 for the Cadillac XT5. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.