2023 Lexus RX350 Premium Review

When the term luxury crossover is mentioned, the Lexus RX is often the first vehicle that comes to mind since it practically kickstarted the genre.

Decades after its launch, the RX brand is still as popular as ever as it has always been capable and sophisticated.

Now, an all-new generation of the Lexus RX is out. Its Premium model has been the talk of the town, so the following is its review.

Features

The 2023 Lexus RX350 showcases the all-new fifth generation of Lexus’s iconic premium mid-size SUV.

As expected, the new car has been redesigned from the ground up. It offers five trim levels and a single powertrain option, with the hybrid model being sold separately.

The Premium trim level is just above the entry-level model, and you can expect it to have convenient and safety features.

Powertrain and Numbers

The RX250 2023 has a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder turbo that makes 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet. It’s mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to all four wheels.

Motor Trend described the transmission as “responsive and smooth,”.

As a result, the 2023 RX350 Premium can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 7 seconds. It can tow up to 3,494 pounds and haul up to 1,399.

The EPA says that the Lexus RX350 AWD models can deliver up to 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. These are improved numbers from the outgoing model.

But if you still want more, you can always go for the 2023 RX Hybrid, and get up to 37 mpg in the city; 34 on the highway.

Interior and Technology

Inside you are treated to an aesthetic cabin that’s built well. You are treated to the finest materials in the class.

US News has described the new RX cabin as ”a suave, upscale interior with mostly high-end materials.” Car and Driver called it even more “modern and striking than” the outgoing model.

In terms of storage, you get 30 cubic feet of space, which can be increased to 46.2 cubes with the rear seats folded. Kelly Blue Book said that it’s “right on par with” its rivals.

The trunk is designed with user-friendliness and practicality in mind.

The Drive praised this, saying that “loading and unloading cargo was a breeze thanks to the trunk’s high floor and lack of a hatch lip.”

The RX350 Premium comes with ash bamboo interior and black open-pore wood trims. You get a leather-trimmed steering wheel and NuLuxe upholstery.

The tech includes multi-zone climate control, push-button ignition, remote start, a powered moonroof and rear door, and ambient mood lighting.

The front seats are 8-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated. The driver’s seat gets memory settings as well.

For infotainment, there’s a 9.8-inch touchscreen, a 12-speaker stereo, Wifi hotspot capabilities, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports and power outlets.

The 2023 RX Premium offers a whole suite of standard safety features.

There’s automated emergency braking (w/pedestrian and cyclist detection), lane-departure warning (w/lane-keeping), adaptive cruise control (w/lane-centering), parking sensors, etc.

Features such as a 14-inch touchscreen, a 360-degree camera, traffic jam assist, and a kick sensor on the rear liftgate are also available.

Exterior and Driving

While the new RX350 Premium is an astonishingly attractive vehicle, it is made even more so by its Bi-LED headlamps and DRLs, LED fog lamps, and LED blade tail lamp.

You also get heated outside mirrors, with the driver’s-side having an auto-dimming feature. Also included are rain-sensing windshield wipers, a powered moonroof and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The 2023 RX350 Premium is offered in Caviar, Nightfall Mica, Nebula Gray Pearl, Nori Green Pearl, Matador Red Mica, Iridium, and Eminent White Pearl exterior colors.

With the new RX Premium, Lexus aims to provide a vehicle that’s quick, yet simple to drive, and provides unmatched comfort and serenity to its occupants.

Edmunds praised the all-new setup under the hood, calling it even “more responsive and punchier than the outgoing V6,” and Cars.com liked the “connected driving feel,”.

According to US News, it “provides outstanding ride comfort” while Kelly Blue Book said that it “is easy to drive and a downright pleasant way to make your way in the world.”

US News also praised the ride quality, stating that it “impresses with its smooth and well-cushioned ride,”.

Forbes had the same thing to say as its testers loved how in the new RX models, “potholes and bumps in the road are mostly shrugged off with barely any recognition.”

Verdict

The 2023 Lexus RX350 Premium is a masterpiece and is certainly worthy of carrying the RX nameplate. It offers decent acceleration and towing capabilities, along with stellar comfort levels.

The looks are very sharp, and they help this car stand out on any road you drive it on. The same can be said about the looks of its interior.

Despite this being just second-last on the trim hierarchy, the cabin is adorned with high-end and aesthetic materials, and you get a long list of standard convenience and safety features.

The reliability ratings are also solid and so are the consumer reviews. Lexus is also one of the very few in the industry to offer complimentary maintenance for a limited period.

To get a 2023 Lexus RX350 Premium in Mason, Morrow, and Loveland, check out Performance Lexus here.