2020 Lexus RX 350: Bold, Cozy, Safe

Despite a slight dip in sales last year, the Lexus RX is still the most popular vehicle from Toyota’s luxury division and the best-selling premium midsize SUV in Canada.

It’s an extremely important product. In fact, Lexus built on the success of the RX by introducing a three-row variant in 2018. Two years later, a number of updates are in store, though all relatively minor.

• Also: 2020 Lexus RX: Minor Changes to Stay in the Game
• Also: Our Exclusive Look at the New 2020 Lexus RX

Following the world premiere (which we attended) and the media launch in Costa Rica (where we did a brief test drive in hot, sunny conditions), it was time for us to spend a full week with the 2020 Lexus RX back home in more inclement weather.

Everybody in, Quick!

We won’t waste your time with the exterior design, which barely changes for 2020 (those who own a copy of the outgoing model can rest easy). Only a keen eye will notice the revised bumpers, grille and lights or the new wheel designs, including the beautiful 20-inch alloys on our tester. Meanwhile, the available triple-beam LED headlights and illuminated door sill plates make for a cool signature.

For us, Canadians, the 2020 Lexus RX is best appreciated from the inside, especially on colder days. The vault-like doors close with a reassuring feeling and isolate you in a world of silence and cosiness, with plush materials on every contact surface and more.

The front seats deliver exceptional comfort (bonus points for the adjustable thigh support), they offer three-level heating and ventilation (with an automatic mode on top of that) and their settings can be memorized for three different drivers. The rear quarters are just as accommodating in terms of space and comfort, heated seat cushions included. There are even sunblinds in the door panels. Storage is fairly generous, but the 694-litre trunk is smaller than that of many competitors, due in part to the shape of the liftgate.

The Luxury Package ($7,900) adds desirable amenities such as premium leather upholstery with contrast stitching, a heated steering wheel finished in leather and fake wood, and dual-zone automatic climate control. You can further transform the interior with the Executive Package, which features all of the content from the Luxury Package plus a panoramic sunroof, head-up display, power-folding rear seats and more, but there’s a steep price to pay ($13,800). Same thing for the various F SPORT packages, by the way.

Lexus and Technology

The current generation of the Lexus RX dates back to 2016, so the interior layout is not the freshest or most attractive—just look at the dashboard and centre stack. However, the company did make some progress on the technology front for 2020.

Both the standard eight-inch and available 12.3-inch displays have larger button areas and improved voice command technology. They’re also touch-sensitive now, but still too far away from the driver’s seat to be user-friendly, which means the fight with the touch pad on the centre console continues.

Lexus’ infotainment system still leaves plenty of room for improvement, but the good news for 2020 is that Android Auto (with the Google Assistant) is now compatible along with Apple CarPlay. For many customers, this should make a significant difference. We also liked the six USB ports spread across the cabin. On the other hand, wireless charging for smartphones can only be had with the aforementioned Executive Package.

Incidentally, there’s a mobile app available for download through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Thanks to a feature called Enform Remote, you can lock and unlock the doors, start and stop the engine, check the status of windows and sunroof, check the fuel level, locate your vehicle and even monitor guest drivers. Furthermore, with Service Connect, you will receive maintenance alerts, recall notifications, vehicle health reports and more.

Ride Quality Still Prevails

Rather than jumping on the turbocharged four-cylinder bandwagon, the 2020 Lexus RX 350 retains its smooth and powerful 3.5-litre V6 that puts out 295 horsepower (290 in the RX L). Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the engine delivers adequate performance, but as we found out it prefers to operate at higher revs. Engaging Sport mode is a wise move if you want responsive acceleration.

The AWD system at work in the RX does a great job both on wet pavement and in the snow, so much so that stability control only kicked in twice during the entire week.

We did too many short commutes in frigid weather to make an accurate assessment of fuel consumption. However, you should know that the RX 350 is officially rated at 10.8 L/100 km combined and 11.1 L/100 km in the case of the RX 350L, which is commendable for a midsize SUV. For the record, the gas-electric RX 450h is more potent (308 horsepower) and more efficient (7.9 L/100 km).

In terms of driving dynamics, the RX delivers peace of mind thanks to a solid, quiet ride, even though it does not yet benefit from parent company Toyota’s new TNGA platform. On the flip side, it drives big, meaning handling is not that great and excitement behind the wheel is only a dream. The comfort-tuned suspension (even in Sport mode) creates body roll in corners that is amplified by the lack of lateral support from the seats. What’s more, the brakes don’t have quite enough bite for our liking.

Visibility is not really a problem and the standard Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 is a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features including Pre-collision Safety System with Pedestrian Detection in Low-Light and Daytime Bicycle Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, Blind Sport Monitoring. The available intelligent clearance sonar works actively with the rear cross traffic alert braking system to alert you of objects that could interfere with the RX as you reverse and apply the brakes if you don’t react quickly enough.

Verdict

Starting at $56,050, the 2020 Lexus RX 350 is a good purchase, for sure. Heck, U.S. magazine Consumer Reports recently named it among its Top 10 picks of 2020. This midsize luxury SUV is spacious, quiet, smooth, reliable, safe and well equipped, while offering hybrid and three-row variants.

Though relatively minor, the various updates are nice and could be a deal-clincher depending on your needs. They do help the RX stay in the game until Lexus arrives with a new generation (likely for 2022). But as far as we’re concerned, the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne are the best buys in the segment right now.