2017 Lexus RX 350 Review

Even if you're not interested in a sporty crossover, we think the F Sport is the way to go. Its improved handling doesn't come at the expense of ride comfort thanks to its adaptive suspension, and its styling enhancements give the RX a bit more flair. As for options, it's largely up to you. Thou...

The fantastic eight-speed transmission delivers smooth and predictable shifts yet will still readily downshift as needed in response to throttle inputs. That's an increasingly rare trait — the competition holds on to top gear for dear life.

The strong 3.5-liter V6 doesn't waste any time when you merge onto the highway or pass on a two-lane road, and the eight-speed automatic transmission is a willing partner. It sprinted to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds at our test track, a second slower than an Acura MDX and a BMW X5.

The brakes give a reassuring and secure vibe in daily use, with steady response and consistent feel. But we did observe more nosedive and pull than expected in our 60-0 mph panic-stop tests, which ranged from a distance of 123 to 129 feet.

The RX responds accurately to inputs, with steering effort that's neither too high nor too low. It nicely isolates road vibrations, too. But it can also feel vague, lacking some of the feedback that helps you judge how much to turn the wheel.

You'll feel stable and secure in the RX 350, even when hustled on mountain roads. Body roll is gradual and smooth, and there isn't that much of it until you push it hard. It's not a sports car, but it's certainly no marshmallow that will upset sensitive tummies.

The fantastic eight-speed transmission delivers smooth and predictable shifts yet will still readily downshift as needed in response to throttle inputs. That's an increasingly rare trait — the competition holds on to top gear for dear life.

It's easy to see the RX 350 as a pleasant place to spend a long road trip. It has comfy seats with available intelligent heating and cooling, the cabin is quiet and serene, and the ride is mostly smooth. We say "mostly" because this current-generation RX favors control over pillowy softness.

We never tired of the sumptuous leather seats, which offer many adjustments and feature excellent heating and cooling with a unique automatic setting. The usual RX seat side bolsters are less prominent than with the F Sport seats.

The base RX ride is generally smooth and well damped unless the surface is uneven, at which point body movement can get busy (possibly because of the optional 20-inch wheels). The F Sport's adaptive suspension adds control without a comfort penalty.

You won't find much in the way of wind rush or road noise, and the engine sound is refined. It's not that there's no noise at all; it's more a case of fairly low levels that are balanced with one another so no single source of noise stands out.

This easy-to-master cockpit is a spacious and comfy place to pass the miles. Overall it's excellent, but the huge rear entertainment screens should give you pause, and the cargo area isn't as versatile as those of rivals, many of which also offer three rows of seats (of admittedly debatable use).

The seating position is great, and the controls are easy to use. A nice mix of knobs and buttons. The massive 12.3-inch navigation screen is easy to read, and though the tech interface's Remote Touch joystick has been improved, it's still not an ideal interface.

Neither too tall nor too low, the seat height of the RX is about optimal. Wide-opening doors provide easy access, and the door sills are cut in fairly close to the seats. The power-memory steering wheel swings away to provide more clearance.

There's plenty of room up front, even with the panoramic sunroof present. The rear offers copious headroom and elbow room, but knee and toe space can be tight behind a tall driver. The optional rear headrest screens significantly reduce personal space.

The view forward and to the sides is unobstructed, and the rear three-quarter blind spot is moderate. Nicely sized outside rearview mirrors. The excellent (and optional) 360-degree camera system even has a perimeter scan feature.

Although Lexus isn't immune from quality-control gaffes, the Japanese brand is so incredibly consistent with overall quality, fit and finish and detail that you'll be impressed with how well it holds together, even with extensive miles on the clock.

Bold styling comes with a cost: reduced cargo capacity. Bulkier items are less likely to fit, and the 40/20/40-split folding seatback doesn't fold totally flat. Unless you're looking for max cargo and max luxury, don't consider it a deal-breaker. The optional hands-free power liftgate is a nice touc...

The slanted roofline reduces cargo space for bulky items. It's really just a big trunk with an easy access height. The RX 350 holds 18.4 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats, less than most competitors. The 40/20/40 backrest can be folded for long items while keeping two seats in place.

The RX 350 is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds, about on par with the rest of the class.

Befitting a luxury crossover, the RX 350 offers a generous set of standard safety and convenience tech. A robust list of options also covers a wide range of priorities, including a glorious panoramic sunroof, audiophile sound quality, heated surfaces, and decadent interior trim and upholstery.

Nice standard nine-speaker audio system comes with a CD player, USB, Bluetooth and an 8-inch display. Twelve- and 15-speaker upgrades and the optional navigation system come with an excellent 12.3-inch display but also the clumsy Remote Touch mouse-like controller.

The Lexus Enform App suite includes now-common apps and services such as Pandora, Slacker and iHeartRadio, Yelp, OpenTable and Facebook Places. Other services include fuel station/price search and real-time traffic, sports and stock information.

Includes a nice complement of standard safety tech and driver aids such as a rearview camera, forward collision warning with automatic braking, and lane departure/keeping assist. Helpful upgrades include surround-camera view, blind-spot monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors.