2025 Lexus RX 350 Review: Sleek, Sophisticated and Kinda Sporty

It’s easy to be jaded by the automotive world’s obsession with SUVs that promise the moon and the stars, but the 2025 Lexus RX 350 somehow manages to bring a mix of luxe touches, laudable and useful tech, and everyday utility without going overboard. If you are in the market for a luxury crossover that is as comfortable on the highway as it is in the city, the RX 350 is a vehicle worth considering. This review explores the 2025 Lexus RX350, from its powertrain and interior features to trim levels and available options. We’ll also compare it with a number of its chief competitors, always noting a few places where it might use a little more shine.

Under the Hood: Performance & Fuel Efficiency

Lexus has always been known for making cars that you can set and forget, but not in a German way – more in a comfortable, Japanese way. The 2025 RX 350 is no different. It may not be as blistering as a sports car, but it’s meant to get you through your daily commute, the cross-continental road trip, or the rousing jaunt down that twisty back road.

Engine & Performance Specs:

• Engine: 3.5L V6 engine
• Horsepower: Approximately 290 hp
• Torque: Around 267 lb-ft
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Drivetrain: Standard front-wheel drive; available all-wheel drive (AWD)
• Fuel Economy: Comes in 20 mpg city / 27 mpg highway (AWD model)

With its V6 engine, the RX 350 strikes a nice balance between power and fuel economy, and it’s adequately peppy for merging onto the highway and passing slow traffic. Lexus has developed the engine and transmission to work in concert with one another, and shifts are seamless and barely noticeable. The available AWD system keeps your car glued to the road even in challenging conditions.

What Makes the RX 350 Stand Out?

At its core, the 2025 Lexus RX 350 is all about refinement and reliability. It doesn’t try to be flashy or over-the-top; instead, it focuses on delivering a consistently pleasant driving experience. Here are a few things that set it apart:

1. Timeless Design and Build Quality

The RX 350 exhibits a design that is both modern and timeless. Lexus has found a design that makes the ES feel reasonably premium, without being too showy. Its oversized spindle grille, sharp-looking LED headlights, and sculpted body lines allow the ES to be bold and yet command respect without screaming for attention. An impressive build, too – the attention to detail is painstaking, and the curves and edges of the design impeccably crafted.

2. Interior Excellence

Climb into the RX 350 and you will find yourself sitting in a cabin that marries luxury with practicality. Quality materials (the soft-touch leather is abundant) and wood trim give their surroundings a comfortable, good-looking feel. It is a rather driver-focused design with controls that are user-friendly and easily within reach for most folks. Its available features make an already more-than-capable luxury cruiser even more lux, without taking away the main point of this car: a relaxing daily driver.

3. Advanced Tech

The 2025 RX 350 is packed with a variety of tech features that enhance the driving experience and improve safety. The infotainment system features a clear, user-friendly interface, and all models come with smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. High level of safety and convenience with advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a pre-collision system.

4. Comfort and Practicality

There’s plenty of room for people and/or cargo, and the RX 350’s cabin is thoughtfully designed with families in mind. Rear occupants have plenty of legroom, and the cargo area is large enough to accommodate most everyday needs or an off-the-cuff road trip. Lexus has made sure the ride is comfortable enough, even on less-than-ideal surfaces, with a suspension that soaks up bumps well.

Trim Levels & Available Options

The 2025 Lexus RX 350 is offered in a few different trims, each with its own specialty to cater to your specific wants and needs. This lets buyers go for a model that meshes with their lifestyle, be that in premium, performance, or extra tech.

Trims:

RX 350 Base

• Standard 3.5L V6 engine
• 8-speed automatic transmission
• Leatherette upholstery and cloth accents
• Basic infotainment with an 8-inch screen
• Traditional safety items such as Lexus Safety System+ 2.0

Perfect for those wishing to enjoy a competent, well-appointed luxury crossover without too many extra doo-dads.

RX 350 Premium

• Real leather, yes, that’s right, genuine leather interior materials, not your ol’ cheap leatherette” either
• 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Enhanced ambient lighting
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Optional panoramic sunroof

This trim adds a nice jolt of comfort and tech that makes long drives and daily commutes a bit more pleasant.

RX 350 F Sport

• Sport suspension for a sportier driving experience
• Exclusive F Sport design aspects, such as a more aggressive sports grille and unique available wheel designs
• Performance-focused interior accents
• Optional upgraded brakes and adaptive suspension settings

The F Sport trim is for those who desire the luxury of the RX 350 with a smidge of an edge and a sportier tone behind the wheel.

Interesting Options:

• Mark Levinson Premium Audio System: For those who want concert-quality sound in the cabin.
• Navigation Package: Larger, intuitive navigation screen readout
• Advanced Driver Assistance Package:  Extending the range of sensors and safety features
• Your Personal Color Pallet: You will be able to select the finish of your luxury finishes
• Panoramic Sunroof: Makes the cabin feel open and airy, and lights up the interior with the sun

Competitors: The Challengers in the Luxury Crossover Market

The 2025 Lexus RX 350 competes directly against a handful of other models that also promise luxury, performance, and practicality. Let’s do a quick comparison with some of its top mid-tier luxury SUV competition.

1. Acura MDX

• Engine: 3.5L V6 engine producing around 290 hp
• Interior:  Rides roomy and packed with modern tech
• Pros:  Dependable, seven-seat capacity, and balanced ride
• Cons:  Less upscale inside than RX350

The MDX is a good crossover, especially for families that need extra seats, although it may be a step short when it comes to luxury.

2. BMW X3

• Engine:  Several powertrain options, with a 2.0L turbo four or a 3.0L inline-six
• Interior: Sporty and driver-centric with premium materials
• Pros:  Exciting driving dynamics and luxurious interior
• Cons:  Priced higher out of the gate, and it may feel more cramped in the back seat

The X3 is a solid choice for those who value performance and handling, and except for its relatively diminutive size, it likely will not disappoint those who think small.

3. Mercedes-Benz GLC

• Engine: 2.0L turbo 4 cyl or a more powerful AMG version
• Interior: Modern, luxurious, and tech-forward
• Pros:  Cool design, technology, fun to drive, and stylish interior
• Cons:  Can get pricier with options and may not have as much cargo space as the RX 350

The GLC is known for its posh interior and comfortable ride, but its higher cost and restricted space may turn off some shoppers.

4. Volvo XC60

• Engine:  Has several choices, including a turbocharged and supercharged inline-4 and a plug-in hybrid model
• Interior: Scandinavian design with an emphasis on safety and comfort
• Pros:  Top-notch safety scores, upscale but refined cabin, and cutting-edge tech features
• Cons: Rear seat space is a bit tight for families with more than a few kids, and the ride is a little firm

The XC60 is a good overall contender, particularly if safety and design are especially important to you, although it may not offer as much overall room and comfort as the RX 350.

What Could Be Better? Our Concerns and Wishes

The 2025 Lexus RX 350 has, over the years, emerged as a top contender in the luxury crossover SUV segment due to its powerful V6 engine, optional hybrid powertrain, performance, and interior quality. It offers a quiet, sophisticated ride and plenty of tech and premium materials. But I feel like there are a couple of places it could use a little more tender loving care:

• Engine Power:  The 290 horsepower is fine for daily driving, but a little more punch — a turbocharged model would suffice — would give the Accord a bit more excitement that’s needed when merging onto the highway.
• Infotainment System:  The existing system is okay, but rivals put an emphasis on larger, more responsive screens and a more intuitive interface. There needs to be a little bit more finesse here to make the overall experience.
• Interior Personalization: While the interior is classy, a few additional options for customization, such as more unique trim materials or color choices, would allow buyers to make the RX 350 feel even more personal.
• Cargo Capacity:  This is where the RX350 can hold its own, but it’s also where rivals such as the Acura MDX feature more dynamic seating arrangements and cargo accommodations that can make a difference to families.
• Price Sensitive: Although the RX 350 offers a pretty good value for money proposition, the addition of a few more luxury features as standard kit could make it that much more appealing in a segment where it’s often the small things that make one vehicle win over another.

These issues don’t outweigh what the RX 350 does right, but it’s areas where even a great vehicle could be better.

Is the 2025 Lexus RX 350 the One for You?

The 2025 Lexus RX 350 remains one of the top players in the mid-size luxury crossover class, providing an inviting combo of comfort, technology, and style that’s perfect for urban commutes and long-distance cruises. It stands apart for its well-rounded ride and quality, even if its materials and advances in safety and tech features make it pragmatic for families and careerists.

And while its rivals — from the Acura MDX to the Mercedes GLC — all have their own assets, the RX 350 comports itself with sustained performance and a savory dash of understated but impressive refinement. There’s still room for improvement (not least in power and infotainment), but the whole is pretty compelling for anyone who values luxury without the showiness.

The RX350 from Lexus is a vehicle that knows its place in the market very well by providing a combination of rock-steady Toyota-backed reliability along with upmarket features that make it a sensible yet desirable option. It’s the ultimate car for someone who wants to stand out without being flashy, combining grace with the more day-to-day aspects of modern life.

How do you feel about the 2025 Lexus RX 350? Leave a comment below and we’ll have a dialogue!