2020 Lexus RX Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Lexus refreshed the RX for the 2020 model year, giving it upgrades inside and out. These aren’t just small changes. Styling changes to the RX allow it to shine in an increasingly crowded field. There's no doubt that this RX, aging as it is, is still a stylish step ahead of anything with a Toyota logo on it.

The exterior of the 2020 RX now features standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights. The company’s triple-beam LED headlamps are available as an option. The SUV’s grille has been altered to look more like the face on Lexus cars and a new paint colour is available: Moonbeam Beige Metallic.

A new shape takes hold as the dual exhaust, rear diffuser, and updated reflectors work together to create a fresh backside. Lexus also gave the SUV an available hands-free tailgate.

The cabin of the Lexus RX continues to be well-appointed. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated exterior mirrors are standard features on all models. A number of interior colours and material combinations are available with leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel being standard. Wood and satin-brushed aluminum trim are available as part of equipment packages.

Opting for one of the two performance-focused F Sport appearance packages adds features such as a unique steering wheel and shift knob, aluminum pedals, bumpers, grille, badges, front seats, aluminum ornamentation, and 20-inch wheels.

Leather-wrapped surfaces feel premium to the touch and look luxe. With the RX, Lexus hasn’t busied itself with overly ornate interior-fascia pieces—like what you’ll find in their flagship LS sedan—so the SUV appears hardy enough to also take the wear and tear of family life.

The look of the centre stack, which contains the climate controls, is dated. Though completely functional, it’s aging quickly as the industry moves forward toward more stylish appointments and fewer buttons.

All RX 350 models are powered by the same 3.5-litre V6 engine, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and, in Canada, standard all-wheel drive. It achieves 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque running on premium 91 octane or higher fuel. Three-row Lexus RX 350 L models use the same drivetrain but are limited to 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The 8-speed automatic is smooth in operation.

A hybrid version of the RX—the Lexus RX 450h—is also available. It pairs the RX 350’s V6 with an electric motor to achieve 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. It is recommended that the RX 450 be filled with premium fuel.

The elongated version of the 450h, the RX 450h L, uses the same engine setup with the same total output. It achieves 165 horsepower from its electric motor that works in tandem with a 37-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Both models have their powertrains completed by an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Each RX hybrid model sold in Canada has one motor that helps drive the front wheels and another motor on the rear axle to power those wheels and add 67 horsepower to the car. A third electric motor works as a generator, engine starter, and transmission-control device.

The RX is no athlete. It takes most of the models 7.9 seconds to get from zero to 60 mph—a tick longer for the RX 450h L. Still, drivers will rarely find themselves wishing for more power, especially after the performance enhancements the RX received for this model year.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 achieves a Natural Resources Canada estimated 10.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined (12.2 city, 9.0 highway). The RX 350 L is rated at 11.1 L/100 km combined (13.1 city, 9.4 hwy). Fuel efficiency is the hybrid powertrain’s strong suit. The RX 450h uses 7.9 L/100 km combined (7.5 city, 8.4 hwy), and the RX 450h L is rated at 8.1 L/100 km combined (8.1 city, 8.4 hwy).

RX F Sport models get standard adaptive variable suspension and 20-inch wheels, which are designed to sharpen the car’s agility.

Drivers can switch their RX into a variety of drive modes. Normal, Eco, and Sport are the standard modes. Hybrid RXs get EV mode as well, which allows for emissions-free driving over short distances. Opting for an F Sport package gets drivers the option of Sport S+ mode, which activates a firmer suspension setting. Customize is also an option for F Sport owners.

As tested, the RX 350 delivers the type of drive experience Lexus owners are used to. Throttle response and shifting are smooth. With standard AWD, the SUV keeps its four wheels sticking to the ground in most driving situations but without the torque-vectoring technology available on the related Toyota Highlander.

On the highway and dry rural roads, the RX proves easily maneuverable, delivering a connected drive experience. The car’s insulation and structure keep the cabin quiet. Braking is smooth and appropriately strong.

The Lexus RX interior isn’t as minimalist or stylish as its German luxury SUV competition, but it does the job well. Four adults can fit comfortably in the two-row RX model but in the three-row RX-L, the third row is best reserved only for small children or the family dog, and only when necessary. They’re a tight squeeze for many tweens, teens, and adults.

The cabin is suitably wide and tall in its two-row configuration (as tested) where it’s technically a five-seater. The front seats are comfortable for extended periods of time and provide easy ingress/egress. Their seating position is good, providing decent outward visibility. However, like many SUVs, the A-pillar impedes the driver’s ability to easily see curbs and corners.

The cargo area of the RX 350 and 450h are smaller than what is offered by the SUV’s rivals. The RX has a high load floor, which compromises the amount of space. Its 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat folds easily.

The RX 350 L and 450h L also have less cargo space than the competition. Compared to the three-row Lincoln Aviator, the Lexus models have about 560 litres less rear storage area. A hands-free liftgate is available on RX 350, 450h, and 350 L models, and standard on long-wheelbase 450h L.

Though the Lexus infotainment system is consistently derided as one of the worst in the business, the company has taken steps with the 2020 model to make it more accommodating to user requests. Part of this is moving the standard 8.0-inch display and available 12.3-inch touchscreen 14 cm closer to the driver.

As tested with the 12.3-inch touchscreen, the infotainment system continues to be difficult to navigate. It’s not easy to make the screen look the way you want it to appear by making certain modules bigger or smaller, and the appearance of the navigation system isn’t conducive to it being used easily unless directions were being given verbally by a passenger who is looking at the screen as reference in tandem.

But, there’s a solution. All RXs come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as well as Bluetooth. Plugging in an iPhone and activating CarPlay solved most of the RX’s operating system issues by putting them out of sight and out of mind.

There are other ways around this too. The SUV comes with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Spotify, Pandora, Google Maps, Waze, Apple Music, Apple Maps, SiriusXM satellite radio, and WhatsApp compatibility, which allow for integrated functionality, so you don’t rely on the Lexus-branded merchandise.

The physical control of the infotainment system has gotten much easier over the last few years thanks to it becoming a touchscreen rather than a display screen. Though still not anywhere close to perfect, the centre console touchpad system is much easier to manage thanks to improved responsiveness and a more natural cursor feel.

For 2020, Lexus added two additional USB ports to the RX bringing the total up to six.

The car's standard 12-speaker audio system is perfectly fine for most buyers. A 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system is available in the 450h L, and a CD player is standard—something Lexus insists that audiophiles request despite industry trends that see them going extinct.

Every Lexus comes with a good roster of standard safety features called Lexus Safety System+ 2.0. Among that roster of technology is adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and a backup camera are standard.

As part of its 2020 enhancement, the RX gets daytime bicyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist standard as well. As tested, road-sign assist and lane-tracing assist worked as advertised without nannying tendencies.

Lexus has also given every RX a three-year subscription to Lexus Enform Safety Connect and a 10-year subscription to Enform Service Connect. Enform Safety Connect utilizes the company’s OnStar-like services however, when needed, it can’t always be counted on. During testing, the system took several tries to connect and did not stay connected despite being in an area lacking tree cover, though it was snowing heavily. In the end, utilizing cell service and email proved to be the most effective means of communication.

The RX has received good safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as the result of crash tests. Though the ratings aren’t as good as models with brand-new generations coming to market, they’re on par with vehicles deep into their generational model run.

Pricing for the 2021 Lexus RX 350 starts at $56,650 Canadian. The extra space of the RX 350 L will set a buyer back at least $59,700. The RX 450h starts at $59,400, and the RX 450h L will set you back at least $76,700.

F Sport packages are available on the short wheelbase models with the F Sport Series 2 package priced at $9,000 and the F Sport Series 3 package—which includes the same features plus the premium sound system, power-folding rear seats, a kick-sensing liftgate, overhead-view camera, head-up display, panoramic moonroof, and other features—adding $14,050. A Luxury package and Executive package are also available on some models.

Those prices make the Lexus a very competitive new vehicle. It sits comfortably in the range carved out by the Volvo XC60, Infiniti QX50, and Cadillac XT5. Its hybrid technology doesn’t up the cost too much more while also giving the model a power boost. Like any SUV on the market, buyers can option their RX to several thousand dollars over the MSRP listed.

If you don’t require the curve carving capability (and price tag) of a BMW, Mercedes, or Audi SUV but still want luxury-level appointments and comfort, the Lexus RX is worth taking a look at. But, there’s a reason it gets frequently cross-shopped with the top-line variant of the Nissan Murano and other luxe mass-market models targeted at empty nesters. If you’re not in it for the hybrid technology or specifically looking at Lexus vehicles, you may want to see what less money can get you.

Note: Images show a US model.