2020 Lexus RX 350 Review

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 is a solid entry in the midsize SUV class, offering a roomy and comfortable cabin and typically excellent build quality. But we have been let down by this generation's anonymous driving experience and poorly thought-out infotainment system controller. Lexus hopes the improvements it made to this year's RX will rectify these shortcomings.

Lexus says it retuned the suspension and stiffened the body structure to give the RX a slightly sportier feel when driven around turns while still keeping ride comfort paramount. The F Sport's sport suspension — which previously resulted in a far harsher ride in exchange for minimal performance gains — has been modified as well.

Inside the cabin, Lexus has swapped out the mouse-like controller for a new trackpad. It's better but can still be overly distracting to use while driving. The display screen is also new. It's now a touchscreen, meaning you can avoid using the trackpad by touching the various menus and buttons. Lexus also repositioned the screen to be nearly 6 inches closer to the driver, so reaching the screen doesn't require a stretch. Finally, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also on board this year as standard equipment. These changes go a long way toward improving the RX 350's tech cred.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 is more competitive than ever, with drastic quality-of-life improvements that make it a more appealing buy than last year's model. Previously an also-ran in the midsize luxury crossover segment, the RX has graduated to become a respectable offering in the class.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 is available in base and F Sport versions. They both come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (295 horsepower, 267 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.