2019 Lexus RX 350

Outright performance isn't the name of the RX 350's game, even when it is in the F Sport trim. But when it comes to merging on a highway or overtaking slower traffic, the smooth and powerful V6 engine gets the job done. Accelerating to 60 mph takes 7.9 seconds, which isn't as quick as most competitors but is still plenty adequate. More aggressive drivers will want to opt for the all-wheel drive for its superior traction.

Body roll is lessened with the F Sport, but handling isn't really improved. The tires are the main letdown, but the Lexus can still confidently handle a twisty road. The brakes provide easy and smooth stopping power. And though the transmission is a little too eager to shift to a higher gear, it does its work almost transparently.

The only real negative, and it could be a deal-breaker, comes with the F Sport trim. In the attempt to achieve sportier handling characteristics, it throws any semblance of a relaxing ride right out the window. Moderately chewed-up roads will bounce and jitter occupants about in a very un-Lexus-like manner, and larger potholes can cause be jarring. We'd recommend steering clear of this trim.

Even though the base of the windshield looks to be pretty far away, the dashboard and all major controls fall easily to hand. The buttons are on the large side, clearly labeled and easy to press, and most everything you touch feels well engineered and well considered. All passengers will appreciate the large square door openings, and there's plenty of room for tall people in the front and the back. Even the panoramic sunroof doesn't take away much headroom.

But Lexus' use of the joystick for infotainment controls frustrates us to no end. Even with improved feedback and weighting, it demands too much concentration to use as fluidly as the ones in a BMW or a Mercedes.

Thanks to its two-row configuration, there's always a good amount of storage — 18.4 cubic feet — in the trunk of the RX 350. That's not as big as some other midsize SUVs, but it's decent. And with 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, this luxury SUV has flexibility to carry an assortment of goods. It's even rated to tow 3,500 pounds, which, though far from class-leading, is still enough for a small trailer with a motorcycle or two.

Passengers get a fair amount of well-thought-out storage for personal items, even including a cupholder whose depth can be adjusted for taller mugs. Child seats will also have ample room for attachment thanks to the large door openings and plenty of rear legroom.

Opting for the Mark Levinson sound system can go a long way to alleviating the frustrations with the RX 350's infotainment system. The lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is chief among them. The navigation system, though quick-acting, is looking a bit dated. And despite good resolution, it can be hard to read because of somewhat cluttered graphics. The joystick control is a bit of a nuisance.

Thanks to the abundance of well-labeled buttons, the somewhat formal and command-heavy voice control system is often sidestepped. Driver aids are well calibrated, and we didn't have any false alarms or overreactions, though we would like the adaptive cruise control to be a bit more responsive to traffic flow.