2017
New 2020 2019
Used 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Lexus RX Change Vehicle

Despite hordes of imitators, the Lexus RX crossover lineup has continued to win the loyalty of its buyers by delivering a driving experience that accentuates comfort, tranquility, and luxury, topped off with superb reliability. The RX has long been Lexus' top-seller, and the redesigned model faithfully carries the torch, even with its new, slightly menacing grill and exterior styling.
Alerts
There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.
2017
New 2020 2019
Used 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Lexus RX

Reliability
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Owner Satisfaction
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Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver Good
IIHS Side Crash Good
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit,
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS and side air bags standard. ESC standard from 2001. Head protection air bags standard from 2004.
Road Test

Despite hordes of imitators, the Lexus RX crossover lineup has continued to win the loyalty of its buyers by delivering a driving experience that accentuates comfort, tranquility, and luxury, topped off with superb reliability. The RX has long been Lexus' top-seller, and the redesigned model faithfully carries the torch, even with its new, slightly menacing grill and exterior styling.

The 3.5-liter V6 in the RX 350, coupled with an eight-speed automatic, has the smooth and ample power delivery that you expect in a premium SUV. The hybrid version offers added boost and better fuel economy, as it combines the one-two punch of the gas engine and electric drive.

Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
AWD , Front
Warranty

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
4-door SUV
Transmissions Available
  • 8-speed Automatic
  • CVT
Engines Available
  • 3.5-liter V6 (295 hp)
  • 3.5-liter V6 hybrid (308 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2017 Lexus RX owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Display screen freezes up

“Display screen would become unresponsive to remote touch and voice control. Sometimes it would appear to restart and then be OK. Other time restarting the vehicle was the only way to restore correct operation. Display screen also intermittently had a loud rattle”

Anonymous, TX (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)
External music device interface (e.g., smart phone, MP3 player)

“It plays when it wants... and stops playing when it wants. It only happens on this Lexus RX, not on our other vehicles”

Paul T., WI (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)
In-dash navigation system (GPS)

“The saved destinations (eDestinations) fail and I have to restart the computer”

Anonymous, TX (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)

“System shut off while driving”

Arnold W., NJ (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

“I had to get a replacement iPhone, and upgraded from an iPhone 6 to iPhone 7. The iPhone 7 won't pair with the Lexus... but it pairs with our other vehicles”

Paul T., WI (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)
Voice control commands

“does not understand voice---ALSO extreme difficulty in registering systems to my iphone7”

Anonymous, GA (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)

“Voice recognition is very poor when searching for a business. I expected higher quality ina Lexus. My Garmin handheld auto GPS has much better voice recognition than the Lexus in-car system”

Anonymous, TX (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)

“Voice control commands produce erratic, unpredictable results. Works better for my husband”

Anonymous, AZ (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)
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Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Air or water leaks

“Major significant wind noise on passenger side. Technicians verified air leaks in windows. OKC Eskridge Dealership refuses to acknowledge problem so went to TN. TN verified the problem. Now working with Field Rep. Lexus doesn't want to fix problem because no one else has complained about a wind noise problem. To date, the problem has no been fixed. Wind noise so loud I have to turn up radio just to hear over the noise. At lease the Chattanooga dealership is willing to fix it”

Sheri W., OK (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)

“Sunroof leaks water at carwash”

Anonymous, TX (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)
Wind noise

“Major significant wind noise on passenger side. Technicians verified air leaks in windows. OKC Eskridge Dealership refuses to acknowledge problem so went to TN. TN verified the problem. Now working with Field Rep. Lexus doesn't want to fix problem because no one else has complained about a wind noise problem. To date, the problem has no been fixed. Wind noise so loud I have to turn up radio just to hear over the noise. At lease the Chattanooga dealership is willing to fix it”

Sheri W., OK (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

Heated or cooled seats

“Heated seats do not get hot and cooled seats do not cool much car is a big disappointment”

Brian L., NY (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)
Keyless entry

“Locks have a mind of their own rear hatch doesn't always open doors don't auto lock. Can't open hatch if door is locked. Car is very confusing as what works one day does not work following day”

Brian L., NY (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.

What Owners Say

Transmission rebuild or replacement

“Check engine light, traction light, abs light. Took to dealer. They found metal in the transmission's oil pan. R&R transmission. Offered loaner, but did not need”

John B., TX (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

What Owners Say

Battery (not hybrid or electric)

“Battery died during the first week of ownership. Complete shutdown while on the road. Battery replaced by dealer at no charge. Everything fine since”

Ralph C., GA (2017 Lexus RX F Sport 3.5-L V6)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Driveline vibration

“Seems to vibrate at slow acceleration. Makes a growling noise”

Anonymous, MI (2017 Lexus RX 350 3.5-L V6)

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

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