2018 Lexus RX 350 review
Lexus RX 350 highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- New third-row seating option
- Interior designed to pamper
- Incredibly smooth ride
Cons
- It’s not in a hurry
- F Sport doesn’t add power
- No smartphone app integration
Mileage (EPA estimate)
18 city, 25 highway, 21 combined
Pricing for current inventory
From $27,998*
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Extra space in a luxury package
When something is great, you want more of it. That’s the thinking behind the new-for-2018 Lexus RX 350L and its additional third-row seating. This space opens up possibilities for additional passengers and cargo, while offering the same superbly comfortable ride, impressive luxury appointments, and generous features as the standard model. The RX 350 is an excellent all-weather commuter with optional AWD, weekend or road trip people hauler, or a soft-driving cargo hauler.
All Lexus RX 350 years
Not sure what year to select? Learn about each Lexus RX 350 generation from 2012 to 2026
What is new for the 2018 Lexus RX 350?
- The RX 350 is available in a variety of new trims, including the L and L Luxury.
- RX 350 trims have been upgraded with Rear Seat Heaters, Fold-Away Third Row, Power Folding Third Row, Rear Air Conditioning, Third Row Seat, Rear Sunshade, and Sunroof(s) as standard equipment this year.
- Quad Seats features are now available as options on select trims.
- The Base trim now comes with Automated Cruise Control, Auxiliary Audio Input, and Satellite Radio Ready as standard equipment.
2018 Lexus RX 350 trims
Curious how Lexus RX 350 trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similaritiesBase:
- 295-hp, 267-lb-ft of torque 3.5L
- Cruise Control
- Automated Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leatherette Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seats
- Rear Defroster
- View our Lexus RX 350 inventory
L:
- Includes all features available on the Base
- 290-hp, 263-lb-ft of torque 3.5L
- Leather Seats
- Fold-Away Third Row
- Power Folding Third Row
- Rear Air Conditioning
- Third Row Seat
- View our Lexus RX 350 L inventory
F-Sport:
- Includes all features available on the L
- Adjustable Suspension
- Heated Steering Wheel
- A/C Seats
- Front Seat Heaters
- Memory Seats
- Rear Seat Heaters
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- View our Lexus RX 350 F-Sport inventory
L Luxury:
- Includes all features available on the F-Sport
- Rear Sunshade
- Sunroofs
- View our Lexus RX 350 L Luxury inventory
5 reasons to buy the 2018 Lexus RX 350
1. Optional third-row
The RX 350L adds 4.4 inches to the exterior over the standard model, creating enough room for two additional bucket seats as a third row. These are power-folding seats, moving up or down as needed from the push of a button in the rear hatch or the driver’s door. An alternative seating option for six puts captain’s chairs in the second row, allowing even easier access to the back row. With room for up to seven passengers, you can now carry half the team to their game if needed.
2. Comfortable for everyone
The RX 350 has a chassis and suspension engineered for supreme comfort. The softly sprung suspension dampens bumps in the road, and multiple sound-reduction techniques create a quiet environment even on the highway. Passenger comfort is high thanks to standard 10-way power-adjustable front seats, with optional heating and ventilation. Even the second-row USB ports were smartly designed for comfortable access, with your passengers able to plug in at the armrest instead of the rear of the center console.
3. Solid standard features
The Lexus RX 350 makes your car search easier, by loading up even base models with standard features and desirable tech. When shopping a RX 350, all 2018 models come with a push-button start, a power liftgate, drive mode selector, and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel wrapped in leather. Passengers will appreciate standard Bluetooth® and USB connectivity, 10-way power adjustable front seats, and the nine-speaker premium sound system. Other cool standard tricks are the rain-sensing wipers and a handful of driver assistance features.
4. AWD flexibility
Need to pick someone up when it’s snowing? No worries with the optional Lexus RX 350 all-wheel drive. The Active Torque Control AWD system monitors road conditions as you drive. When the streets turn slippery, the AWD system shifts from only sending power to the front wheels, to sending up to 100% of power to the wheels that need it most. If it gets really rough out there, the AWD Lock button provides enhanced traction below 25 mph, which also allows you to head off-road when you need to.
5. Cargo and towing
Bring all your friends, with the optional RX 350L extended-length version that adds a third row of seating for up to seven passengers. Behind the second row of seats, the RX 350 has 18.4 cu-ft, while the RX 350L has 23 cu-ft. Put the second row down for all the utility and 58.5 cu-ft of space, 2 cu-ft more than the non-L version. That’s enough for kayaks and coolers at the lake, or furniture found at a yard sale. Need even more? The RX 350L with V6 and available Towing Prep Package has a maximum estimated towing capacity of 3,500 lbs when properly equipped.
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Lexus RX 350 an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Lexus RX 350 3rd out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Lexus RX 350Lexus RX 350 features and specs
Curious how Lexus RX 350 trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities
F-Sport 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- A/C Seat(s)
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Front Seat Heaters
- Heated Mirrors
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather Seats
- Memory Seat(s)
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Seat Heaters
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Blind Spot Monitor
- CD Audio
- Full Roof Rack
- Head Up Display
- Mark Levinson Sound
- Navigation System
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Parking Sensors
- Running Boards
- Sunroof(s)
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
3.5L
Horsepower
295
Torque (ft-lbs)
267
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
19.2
Wheelbase
109.8"
Overall length
192.5"
Width
74.6"
Height
67.7"
Leg room
F 44.1"/R 38"
Head room
F 39.4"/R 39.1"
Front tires
P235/55VR20
Rear tires
P235/55VR20
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2018 Lexus RX 350 FAQ
The 2018 Lexus RX 350 is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- F-Sport: 20 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
- L Luxury: 19 MPG City and 26 MPG Highway
- Base: 20 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
- L: 19 MPG City and 26 MPG Highway
The Lexus RX 350 received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks the Lexus RX 350 as 2 out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUV
Here is what's new for the 2018 Lexus RX 350:
- L
- L Luxury
- Rear Seat Heaters
- Fold-Away Third Row
- Power Folding Third Row
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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