2022 Lexus RX350L Sport Luxury review

Traditional, conservative, outdated, or anything else you’d like to call the Lexus RX probably won’t matter to a Lexus RX customer – it’s still the second-most popular Lexus model behind the now-replaced (and smaller RAV4 sibling) NX.

Both NX and RX topped the Lexus sales charts through 2020 and 2021 by quite a margin, with both towards the end of their lifespans. Of the total 9290 Lexus sales in 2021, some 1908 were for the RX and 3091 the NX. If nothing else, it proves their popularity among… er, Lexerati?

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And while the newer, smaller, and cheaper UX catches up (1744 units in 2021), the NX has just entered its second generation and a new RX is likely to arrive next year.

We know Lexus customers tend to prefer a plush, luxurious product and can be smart with their money about this. So what is it about the ageing RX large SUV, twin to the last-gen Toyota Kluger, that keeps Lexus customers coming in? As far as old-school, big atmo engine family cars go, the RX is still very much holding the fort.

Pricing and Features

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The specific variant we have here is the $103,836 2022 Lexus RX350L Sport Luxury, the largest and highest spec version of the RX before including a hybrid drivetrain. It goes up against the likes of the Audi Q7 45TDI, BMW X5 25d, or even (after a small price step up to $110,000) the base Mercedes-Benz GLE 300d. More obviously, the Genesis GV80 is a relative newcomer to the large luxury SUV category that lines up quite closely with the RX.

But a third row comes standard in the 350L, the L denoting the longer-bodied seven-seater. The Audi do too, but the pricier base GLE doesn’t have a third row as standard, nor does the X5.

The Q7 is the only of the Germans with a V6 (turbo-diesel), plus the GV80’s range-toppers come with petrol or diesel turbo sixes to stand up to the Lexus’ 3.5-litre petrol V6.

However, unlike the Audi, the RX350L Sport Luxury is no base model.

We know Lexus customers tend to prefer a plush, luxurious product, and can be smart with their money about this

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The list of features leaves little missing, with the Sport Luxury gaining additional gear over the already packed Luxury grade. Adaptive suspension, a 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, a partially leather-upholstered interior, fully adjustable front seats and seat heating in the second row, plus a specific set of 20-inch alloys and triple-LED adaptive headlights are just a handful of the highlights.

On top of that, carry-overs from the lower-spec Luxury spec include paddleshifters with drive mode select, the Lexus safety suite with Lane Trace Assist (LTA), road sign assist, pre-collision safety and braking. Blind-spot monitoring, radar cruise, a panoramic parking camera, ten airbags, and active corner assist are also included.

Comfort and Space

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From the driver’s seat, where you’re not always able to directly appreciate the safety suite or 20-inch wheels, there’s still plenty to enjoy. From the little things like a slot to hold your smartphone in place firmly (and importantly, out of use) to the more obvious such as heated and vented front seats, plus the heated steering wheel, the RX350L Sport Luxury exudes Big Spec Energy.

In our test car, the caramel leather provided a nice contrast to the dark, almost black laser-cut wood panelling that accents the centre console, though the coated wood trim on the steering wheel is a little more of a jarring textural change when steering.

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A wireless charging pad sits forward under the ventilation controls, all still relatively traditional buttons. Speaking of traditional, the next section up on the middle is the CD player. Lexus still includes these, even in its new models, and for its target audience, there’s always a chance the CD collection will come out when there’s no radio reception on a road trip.

Unfortunately, Lexus’ ageing infotainment system persists too, with the main control for it being the haptic touchpad by the gear selector. It’s a point of Lexus design that has bothered road testers for years as it’s quite fiddly to use, but opinion among owners is more divided as some get used to it… in a Stockholm syndrome kind of way, probably.

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The infotainment itself is acceptable, though a new system from Lexus is coming through in new models like the NX and it’s a major improvement. With the RX system, graphics are outdated and basic, navigation is frustrating to use and even the resolution of the reversing camera is sub-par given the crystal-clear image even budget cars provide these days.

On the other hand, the basic and old-school driver display and steering wheel controls are welcome, with uncomplicated visuals in the form of two analogue dials, a simple centre digital display, and large, well-placed buttons on the wheel.

Lexus’ ageing infotainment system persists too, but opinion among owners is divided as some get used to it … in a Stockholm syndrome kind of way

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The front seats, then, are comfortable and ergonomic, and the story doesn’t change much in the next row. Further back, passengers are treated to more caramel leather, heated on the outboard seats as mentioned, and enough adjustability to get comfortable no matter how you sit.

Getting further back into the final row isn’t a challenge, even for a six-foot adult, but sitting back there for any longer than a short trip is child’s play. As in, probably don’t do it unless you’re a kid.

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With all the rows up, there’s a relatively small 176 litres of boot space (Lexus measures this to the top of the seats) but with the third row down that increases to 432 litres to the seat tops, or 652 litres to the roof. Fold all the seats down, and a cavernous 1656 litres is all yours.

On the Road

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Much like its interior while stationary, the Lexus RX350L Sport Luxury feels luxurious in motion. While it’s getting on in years, the mechanical underpinnings of the RX remain true to the Toyota/Lexus ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach.

The 3.5-litre atmo V6 under the bonnet is a smooth, if thirsty, beast drinking up to 17.5 litres of the expensive stuff per 100km on our admittedly very unconventional test – standstill photography and spirited test driving do not make for frugality with more than 2.2 tonnes of Lexus and driver. Thankfully, when keeping things calm, the Lexus’ fuel economy reading sat far closer to the claimed 10.2L/100km. Expect yours to average in the low teens.

In terms of spirited driving, you might be surprised with the RX’s stability … body roll feels under control and the V6 doesn’t feel particularly sluggish

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In terms of that spirited driving, you might be a little surprised with the RX’s stability, given its size. Of course, careful hands are needed, but body roll feels under control and the V6 doesn’t feel particularly sluggish. The eight-speed auto, when pushed, will keep revs high enough and bump through the gears quickly, but smooth, gentle acceleration is of course where it’s most comfortable.

Around town, the RX excels at being calm and comfortable, with a plush ride thanks to adaptive dampers combining with the smooth drivetrain to ensure intrusions into the cabin are minimal.

The steering is well-weighted and the big steering wheel doesn’t require an intense amount of lock to get anything done, though corner too sharply and a little hint of understeer and body roll will quickly warn you to dial it back.

Ownership

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Lexus now offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty across its range, with 12-month/15,000km servicing intervals capped at $495 for the first three visits. Previous to 2021, Lexus’ warranty was only four years.

Lexus’ relatively new Encore program is also available to buyers, with discounts on fuel, discounted access to luxury accommodation and events, and the ability to borrow other Lexus models.

VERDICT

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While parts of the Lexus RX350L feel outdated when compared to some rivals, there’s a sense that, for the outlay, you’re really buying a luxury seven-seater, rather than dropping in at the start of the range as with the Germans. The spec and feature list is extensive and the driving experience feels properly premium, even with its big old atmo V6.

As alternatives, it's worth trying the Genesis GV80 on for size, to see if a little bit more of a modern interpretation of a big luxo SUV is your speed. The drivetrain options are more varied too, though don’t discount the hybrid RX450h as an option. It’s almost $10K pricier in Sport Luxury spec, but with more power and more efficiency.

But if the simplicity of six unassisted cylinders in a couple of tonnes of plush Japanese engineering appeals, the RX350L fits the bill perfectly. That is, unless you can wait for the incoming next-gen.

2022 Lexus RX350L Sport Luxury specifications