- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 7 seats
- Engine
3.5i, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
216kW, 358Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 10.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2015)
2021 Lexus RX350L Sports Luxury review
More and more people are looking towards Lexus for luxury SUVs – does the seven-seat Lexus RX350L deliver on its brand’s promise?
- Supreme ride quality
- All-inclusive price leaves no need for options
- Super-comfy seats and carpet
- Thirsty engine in suburbia
- Infotainment still a pain to use
- Poor-quality camera feeds
To satiate a new car market that can’t seem to get enough SUVs, the Lexus RX offers a unique Japanese alternative to the German giants that have long been associated with luxury.
It’s a left-field choice that resonates with people too. Sure, more traditional luxury SUVs trade blows for the bestseller title in the oversaturated premium-SUV segment, but the Lexus RX is only a couple hundred sales behind the Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5 in 2021.
The Lexus LX takes the mantle as the company’s flagship, but the slightly smaller RX is still big enough to cater for seven and is geared more towards on-road use. The five- or seven-seat layout is based on architecture shared with the previous Toyota Kluger and uses the same 3.5-litre engine as a great many Toyota products.
In that regard, can the Lexus RX be considered more than just a dressed-up, people-moving SUV? We’re behind the wheel of a 2021 Lexus RX350L Sports Luxury to decide. This means a seven-seat cabin (denoted by the ‘L’ suffix), a high-end trim grade (Sports Luxury), and a non-hybrid, naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine.
The range received a mild refresh in early 2020, which brought about technology and subtle mechanical changes to the six-year-old model.
But the design has continued with few updates since this generation’s introduction. It’s highlighted by a gigantic spindle grille up front, chrome trim highlights and a sloping, floating roof line in this 190mm-longer body (over its five-seat sibling).
Beginning at just over $70,000 for the entry-level model four-cylinder RX300, this RX350L Sports Luxury is near the ceiling of what you could pay for an RX. Luckily, there are next to no options to add onto its $103,713 before on-road costs price – it comes loaded with kit. With $1750 Deep Blue paint, the drive-away price for a Melbourne-based buyer is $117,487 according to the Lexus website.
Key details | 2021 Lexus RX350L Sports Luxury |
Price (MSRP) | $103,713 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Deep Blue |
Options | Metallic paint – $1750 |
Price as tested | $117,487 drive-away (Melbourne) |
Rivals | Mercedes-Benz GLE | BMW X5 | Audi Q7 |
Inside
Even after spending a small amount of time with the RX350L, it’s immediately obvious that this car is supremely comfortable. I’m a huge fan of Lexus seats in all its products, but they’re so plush and supportive in this RX that you feel you could do an interstate trip like it’s nothing.
As well, the carpet is soft and thick, almost tempting you to drive everywhere barefoot. The laser-cut wood inserts add an interesting dynamic to the space, and just about every touchpoint is covered in leather accent or soft-touch material. Materials use and build quality get a solid thumbs-up, then.
The space is highlighted by kit including a 12.3-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality, digital radio, wireless phone charging, heated/ventilated front seats with power and memory function, and a power steering column.
Sports Luxury variants in particular receive a 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, woodgrain trim inserts on the centre console and steering wheel, a panoramic surround-view monitor, adaptive suspension, sunroof, and adaptive high beams.
Space up front is decent, though there’s less adjustability between the seats and steering wheel than taller occupants would like. However, that seating position offers good visibility out over the bonnet and for rear vision.
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Convenience features such as keyless entry, powered memory seats, powered boot release, and an easy-access entry system make re-acclimatising to the RX a simple affair.
Storage spaces abound in the first row, with extendable door bins for wider drink bottles, two cupholders in the centre console, an upright slot for your phone, and a wireless charging tray behind the shifter.
Passengers in the second row are afforded good leg room, head room, and space side-to-side. The second row slides for more of a modular solution, and the seats fold in 60:40 fashion. The third row is a tight one for adults, though would cater more comfortably to kids. There is air adjustment in the third row, and each seat can be raised or stowed independently using buttons mounted in the boot or near the second-row seat bolsters.
Load capacity stands at 176L with the third row up or 591L with the third row folded. According to Lexus the boot can be opened with a wave of your foot under the rear bumper, but I couldn’t seem to make the feature work. Once open, the height of the tailgate is low, so it’s hard not to bump your head putting shopping in the boot.
2021 Lexus RX350L Sports Luxury | |
Seats | Seven |
Boot volume | 591L second row up / 176L third row up |
Length | 5000mm |
Width | 1895mm |
Height | 1700mm |
Wheelbase | 2790mm |
Infotainment and Connectivity
Lexus persists with its touchpad-controlled infotainment system, though the screen now supports touch inputs, which comes in handy especially for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Nonetheless, traditional controls through the touchpad are somewhat of a pain. Changing radio stations, in particular, is a frustrating task. Navigating between menu systems is fairly simple thanks to shortcuts along the bottom of the screen, though it is now beyond time that Lexus updates its software and controls for a more intuitive system.
A small display is nestled between the two gauges of the instrument cluster, and shows basic information such as song track and fuel economy information.
This car is fitted with a glorious 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system that is well worth having. The booming speakers have a great amount of bass and excellent clarity, and sure to make any road trip a fun one. The maps displayed on the 12.3-inch infotainment screen look great and are easy to manipulate. The same can’t be said for the surround-view camera, which displays a low-resolution image and is fiddly to switch between various camera feeds.
Safety and Technology
Regardless of variant, all Lexus RX model grades come with the Lexus Safety Suite+, which includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-trace assist, blind-spot monitor with rear-cross traffic alert, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control with queuing function, tyre pressure monitoring and 10 airbags.
The Sports Luxury spec adds a surround-view camera and an adaptive high-beam system with BladeScan tech.
A five-star ANCAP safety score was awarded to the Lexus RX back in 2015. No updated rating has been issued since, and the seven-seat version doesn’t get its own specific score.
Other driver technology includes items like a head-up display, electric park brake, push-button start, and hill start assist. A notable omission is start/stop fuel-saving measures.
2021 Lexus RX350L Sports Luxury | |
ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2015) |
Safety report | Link to ANCAP |
Value for Money
Lexus extends its four-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty to the RX350L, which is comparatively middle-of-the-pack against its competition. Mercedes-Benz does better for its cars (five years), though BMW and Audi lag behind by only offering three years each.
Each service is slated to take place at either 12 months or 15,000km, whichever is first. Capped-price servicing is on offer, but only for the first three years. Each trip to the dealership costs $595 or $1785 after three years.
A nice value-add for Lexus customers is the Encore program, which offers benefits such as service loan cars, hotel offers, exclusive events, and fuel discounts.
Against Lexus’s 10.2L/100km combined fuel economy claim, I recorded a real-world indication of 14.9L/100km. Considering Melbourne’s current lockdown status, I couldn’t venture too far from home, so perhaps Lexus’s 14.3L/100km urban figure is a better representation of what to expect. The RX350L does ask to be filled with premium 95-octane fuel as a minimum.
At a glance | 2021 Lexus RX350L Sports Luxury |
Warranty | Four years / unlimited km |
Service intervals | 12 months / 15,000km |
Servicing costs | $1785 (3 years) |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 10.2L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 14.9L/100km |
Fuel type | 95-octane petrol |
Fuel tank size | 72L |
Driving
Under the bonnet of the RX350L exists a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, which sends 216kW and 358Nm to an on demand all-wheel-drive system. It’s the only non-assisted powertrain in the line-up (other variants feature turbocharged power or hybrid assistance), so naturally the V6 works hard to get the 2150kg body motivated with associated aural drama.
It doesn’t feel particularly slow – a zero to 100km/h dash is completed in eight seconds – but a lack of torque does make you conscious of how heavy the thing is. The eight-speed automatic transmission can sometimes get tripped up from a set of lights deciding what gear to serve up and can hunt around under changing throttle loads. Under a heavy throttle load, it does kick down and offer good overtaking power.
I recently drove the RX450h with a version of the same V6 and attached hybrid powertrain and wondered whether the RX350L might differ, though both feel remarkably similar in practice. The naturally aspirated engine does feel overstretched to be servicing this seven-seat body, especially when rivals like the BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE all use turbocharged engines.
Aside from some sound permeation from the engine bay, the cabin remains very quiet and befitting of a Lexus. The ride profile is also extremely comfortable across all road surfaces. It negotiates speed humps and potholes without so much as a fuss, while road joins are smoothed over too.
The steering feel is light and easy for around-town duties, which makes manoeuvring the 5000mm body a relatively straightforward task.
The soft suspension tune does remind you of the Toyota Kluger, as it rolls about through some corners, though it remains as composed as any large SUV could be.
Key details | 2021 Lexus RX350L Sports Luxury |
Engine | 3.5-litre six-cylinder petrol |
Power | 216kW @ 6300rpm |
Torque | 358Nm @ 4600-4700rpm |
Drive type | All-wheel drive |
Transmission | Eight-speed automatic |
Power to weight ratio | 100.5kW/t |
Weight | 2150kg |
Tow rating | 1500kg braked, 750kg unbraked |
Turning circle | 11.8m |
Conclusion
Few buyers look towards value when shopping in luxury categories, but it's arguably a compelling lens to view the Lexus RX350L Sports Luxury through. Its list price just north of $100K is easier to stomach than rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLE (starts at $108,953 before on-road costs), the BMW X5 (begins at $104,400 before ORCs) and the Audi Q7 (begins at $105,100 before ORCs).
It might not stock the same futuristic tech as some of those German rivals, but the driving experience is serenely comfortable and the cabin is upholstered in nice materials that should stand up to years of use.
It’s going to shoot right to the top of the shopping list for larger families after a bit of luxury. The interior is less of a wow than you’d get from some rivals, but the RX gets along with a great set of baseline features and nice materials to ensure a premium ownership experience.