Used 2017 Lexus RX 350 F SPORT SUV Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Lexus RX 350 F SPORT SUV.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Good overall combination.
Don, Nashville, TN, 01/12/2017
2017 Lexus RX 350 F SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
I had two Toyota Highlanders before this Lexus RX350 FSPORT. The latest Highlander was an 08 Sport model. I got an FSPORT for the tighter suspension because the regular RX350 is supposed to be a little squishy for handling. I also test drove an Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Macan, Acura MDX and RDX, BMW X5 and X3 and a Highlander hybrid. Every one is a good SUV, but as a total package … including reliability, I liked the Lexus. I have 5,500 miles on it right now. I have pushed it hard on a very curvy road to the neighborhood and it handles very well. There is just a hint of wanting to break loose when pushed to the limit, but body lean and steering are as good as it gets for an SUV. A Porsche might beat it, but not by much. The seating is comfortable, but my right knee wants to bump the underside of the dash or the center console when driving (I'm 6'1"). The seat and wheel move out of the way to enter and exit - nice touch. Mark Levinson sound system is very good and road and wind noise are hushed. Tons of safety features on my vehicle...radar cruise control is nice but ...more later, blind spot monitoring works very well, lane keeping assist is nice but can be annoying because it makes many small corrections, triple beam lights are very good, auto hi beams pretty good at detecting other cars but just a bit slow to respond at times, Acceleration is great but "Eco" mode constantly shifts back and forth at lower rpm's in lower gears. Visibility is good except out the rear sides where the C pillar blocks the view badly (backup camera makes up for that to some degree). Some of the safety features are tricky and at times annoying - they are not as refined as I would like. Examples: Radar cruise control resets based on the last set speed, not your current speed, unless you brake or cancel the setting and nothing tells you this; so if you set it at 35 and then accelerate to 55 and reset it, it will go to 34, not 55...not good for the cars behind you! Radar cruise will also bring the car to a near stop behind someone turning off to the right - so much so that a vehicle behind you may not expect it. Radar cruise will automatically trail and stop behind a car in front, but when you approach a car stopped at a red light, it is like a game of chicken - the car will stop, but it is too quick for comfort. When you reset radar cruise to a lower speed , it sometimes slows the car down by braking and other times it downshifts - unpredictability is not what I paid for. With a bike rack in a trailer hitch mount behind the car, you have to disable multiple safety features in order to be able to back up. You can override it temporarily by keeping your foot on the gas, but it is a tricky maneuver. The manual doesn't tell you this happens, so you get to call Lexus to ask how to make the car back up. The navigation display quit working as did the left side dash info screen for no apparent reason...restarted the car and it was okay. Nav system will take you on little back roads to save you 30 seconds rather than weighing time/distance with better roads - you will get there, but in a suboptimal way ... always check a map too. The A.C. system is anemic in cooling the car when it has been sitting in the sun - needs the fan to rev up more temporarily. Styling is a love it or hate it proposition and I am still undecided about that. You cannot get roof cross bars from Lexus if you have the panoramic roof - you must go to the aftermarket. Lexus says you have to modify the rear suspension on the FSport if you add their trailer hitch - but not if you buy a Curt hitch from etrailer! So, read all the footnotes for every option which is where this info is hidden. Given the price, reliability, handling, comfort, safety features, and interior space, this is a good bang for the buck, but disappointing in several annoying ways. I bought mine through Costco's auto buying program from a dealer 225 miles away and his price was $1,700 below invoice (not MSRP) with a few BS add ons to get $600 of profit back. I thought it was a good deal since it gave up all the regular margin and his 2% hold back. MSRP with options and delivery was $61,000.
A let down
AStrom, Sharon, MA, 06/14/2018
2017 Lexus RX 350 F SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
Bad transmission hesitation issue at low speeds. Engine whining and droning. Slow from the start. No power uphill. No luxury feel to it in city driving.
Terrible for a Lexus -- can't wait to sell it.
Unhappy Lexus Owner, Independence, OH, 01/02/2018
2017 Lexus RX 350 F SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
I was coming out of an Acura MDX into the Lexus RX 350 Fsport. I am very disappointed in the vehicle and with Lexus. 1.) The cars with headsup display come with a windshield that causes headlights and streetlights to be duplicated (like being cross eyed). After taking pictures and getting a Lexus service tech to ride in the car in darker weather, they agreed there was a problem. At … first Lexus (corporate) said it was defective glass and replaced the windshield. When the problem still existed they found an engineer that knew that there was different glass for cars with HUD. Their solution was to put the glass from non-HUD equipped vehicles into my car. This glass then made the HUD blurry and duplicated and rendered it useless. I eventually got my money back for the HUD since it's now useless. During this experience, I found that using polarized glasses eliminated the problem. I shared with Lexus dealer and corporate and received the response "we trust our engineers to solve the problem." So I found a solution that costs about $100 -- a clear, polarized window film would solve the problem. Instead they want to break the factory seal on the windshield and put in a $1500 windshield rendering the HUD useless. 2.) I have less than 15K miles on the car and have rattles in the drivers door and the roof. Of course the dealer cannot reproduce the issue. 3.) Rear hatch struts weren't lubricated correctly and squeal loudly. 4.) Entertainment software usability is very poor and not intuitive. It doesn't remember your last media setting and turns off when using bluetooth connections. 5.) Mouse is too sensitive and creates a safety issue to use when driving (even after adjustment). 6.) The overall fit and finish of the car feels cheap. When shutting doors it sounds like hollow metal slamming. I've had lower end cars that don't sound like that. 7.) No remote start without a paid subscription. For a 2017 luxury car, how can this not be a standard feature? 8.) The Mark Levinson stereo is definitely not worth the money. It is NOT surround sound, not tuned to be balanced for different music types, and sounds like the rear speakers don't work. The base stereo sounded better. There are some nice features on this car, but it is significantly lacking overall quality in many areas putting it below low end car makers like Kia and Hyundai. The biggest issue is how I've been treated by Corporate Lexus when dealing with the HUD windshield issue, but combined with everything else this car is a huge waste of money.
Amazing vehicle
Love my Lexus, Danville, KY, 02/03/2023
2017 Lexus RX 350 F SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
I traded in my 2010 RX 350 for a 2017 in mint condition. It’s my 3rd RX 350. This one is every bit as reliable and solid as my others but has so many more features and updated design. The F Sport offers even more safety features and fun extra technology. Unlike many luxury vehicles the Lexus is made to last without much maintenance. If you get regular oil changes and service, these cars … can last 20 plus years. They aren’t high/expensive maintenance vehicles. They are built to last. You’ll save money in the long run and time because they are low maintenance. Plus, it’s a beautiful and solid vehicle with enough power to move quickly. I’m sure eventually I’ll get yet another one because if you can only have one car- this is THE one to buy.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2017 Lexus RX 350 F SPORT SUV
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Impeccable cabin finished with top-quality materials and construction
- Pro:Ride quality makes almost any road feel smooth
- Pro:Advanced safety features come standard
- Pro:Wide cargo bay makes it easy to load luggage and groceries
- Con:Less overall cargo capacity than competitors and no third-row seat
- Con:Acceleration is merely average
- Con:Optional tech interface is clever but distracting to use while driving
Which RX 350 does Edmunds recommend?
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. Though the Remote Touch interface is far from great, chances are you'll end up with it anyway to get some of the RX's other bundled feature extras.
Full Edmunds Review: 2017 Lexus RX 350 SUV
byDan Frio
Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Driving
4.0The 3.5-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic make a great team. The RX 350 chassis also steers, handles and brakes with poise and balance, unless you drive it like some kind of Porsche and push it quite hard. It's engaging enough feel for most people but stops short of being a sporty SUV.
Comfort
4.5It'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.
Interior
4.5This 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).
Utility
4.0Bold 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 touch.
Technology
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.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2017 Lexus RX 350 in California is:
not availableLegal