2022 Lexus RX Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2022 Lexus RX is available in the base 350 trim level with standard and long-wheelbase for its gas powertrain. A hybrid model also exists with the RX 450h distinction, also offered in both wheelbase lengths. The RX 350 offers seating for five while L signifies the three-row, 7-passenger option (6 seats in the 450h). Having received a revised grille and other exterior flourishes for its 2020 model-year facelift, the 2022 Lexus RX design continues to be modern and sporty. Amongst its key competitors in the midsize luxury crossover segment (e.g, Audi Q5, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, Mercedes-Benz GLE), the RX offers the most aggressive exterior styling.

The character lines are distinctively razor sharp. And throughout the RX exterior, particularly in the front and rear, angular features reminiscent of a boomerang stop just short of what we’d call excessive. This careful restraint results in a satisfying yet eye-catching design language—even in a paint as innocuous as Nebula Gray Pearl, like our Lexus RX 350 F Sport test vehicle. Speaking of paint, F Sport models welcome Grecian Water as a new colour for 2022. In all, there are nine flattering paint options for all trims.

Now, as its name suggests, the F Sport packages are performance-oriented and also the most athletic in appearance. Most RX models feature 18-inch wheels, bi-LED headlights, integrated LED turn signals, a rear spoiler, and LED daytime running lights and brake lights. But opt for the F Sport and the vehicle is upgraded to 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, dark window trimming, F Sport badging, and a unique front fascia that includes larger air intakes (most of these features are standard on the 450h L). Both front and rear bumpers of RX F Sport models also differ from the base variants. All RX models offer a high-fashion exterior appeal, but F Sport trims offer just enough subtle sportiness to look that much cooler.

The interior of the RX is presented in the same way. Regardless of trim, the Lexus RX cabin offers the same luxury appeal with F Sport models adding that Sporty Spice vibe. To keep things sporty, the RX F Sport features model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum for the trim, pedals, and footrest, paired with NuLuxe synthetic leather in either black or dark red. Non-F Sport models can be optioned with a mix-and-match of NuLuxe or semi-aniline leather seats with a selection of metal and wood trim pairings.

There are plenty of soft-touch surfaces and a high-quality feel to the hard plastics like knobs and buttons. The centre stack does feel a bit dated, though. Maybe it’s due to the abundance of buttons? Hard to say but the RX hasn’t been redesigned going on seven years now. The 2020 refresh did add then-new infotainment touchscreens, but they are positioned atop the centre stack which wasn’t changed at all.

In terms of comfort, we found the NuLuxe seats for the RX F Sport to be less than pleasant, almost as if the driver’s seat had been manufactured without a cushioned layer. Lumbar support was also disappointing in that there was no height adjustment. Also, in spite of the fact that the seats and steering wheel column are power-adjustable, it took us several behind-the-wheel sessions to find an ideal driving position. Even then, we invariably always felt as though we were sitting too close to the steering wheel.

The Lexus RX 350 is equipped with a standard 3.5-litre V6 engine that produces power specs of 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h adds two high-torque electric motors to the V6 for a combined output of 308 hp. Regardless of powertrain, all RX models feature an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is not offered in Canada; all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard in our market.

But for all the performance prowess the Lexus RX exudes on the surface, in real-world ability, the vehicle is a phony. In spite of F Sport designation of our test vehicle, sadly, it didn’t have a sporty bone in its body. And we’re not sure whether to feel anger or disappointment at the deception.

The engine note sounds closer to a turbocharged four-cylinder than a V6. It hums rather than growls. To be honest, there were times we’d have preferred something closer to silence. Acceleration was just as unimpressive. The Lexus RX tends to dawdle as if rudely awakened from a Sunday afternoon nap. And if fully alert, its driving mannerisms offer hesitance rather than confidence.

With the F Sport, front and rear performance dampers are standard, as is adaptive variable suspension borrowed from the LC500 sports car. Also, F Sport models add a Sport+ drive mode to the standard choices of Eco, Normal, and Sport. Hybrid models get an EV mode.

Drive modes change throttle response, gearing, and steering. If you’re not in a hurry and don’t mind adjustments to your climate control settings, select Eco. Sport and Sport+ are supposed to mean tighter steering and stiffer dynamics. But in switching between Normal and Sport/Sport +, we couldn’t decipher significant changes in the driving manner or handling.

The vehicle does behave noticeably differently between Eco and Normal. Sport and Sport+, however, appear to be more of a Lexus aspiration than an actuality, even with the paddle shifters. Normal mode became our standard drive setting, which the vehicle defaults to anyway whenever the engine is started.

Where the Lexus RX performs as expected is in driving comfort and cabin quietness. Perhaps engineers knew you’d take a while getting anywhere: along the journey, the RX absorbs up rough patches like a dried-out sponge so that you think every road was recently repaved. And in spite of the uninspiring engine sound, the overall cabin offers a bit of serenity. Road noise is isolated and with such a compliant ride, the RX isn’t a bad companion on long drives.

According to Natural Resources Canada estimates, the 2022 RX 350 uses 12.2 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 9.0 on the highway, and 10.8 combined. Opt for the three-row L model and those figures go up to 13.1 city, 9.4 highway, and 11.1 combined. The RX hybrid, of course, lowers these figures. The RX 450h has a fuel consumption rating of 7.9 L/100 km combined, using 7.5 in the city and 8.4 on the highway. The 450h L maintains the highway figure but sees a slight rise in its combined fuel efficiency estimate, going up to 8.1 L/100 km due to an 8.1 L/100 km city estimate.

The standard, two-row Lexus RX has 2,826 litres of passenger volume and can fit four adults comfortably. There is room for five but it may be a snug fit in the rear with the middle seat being a short-trip option. Headroom for the front seats is 1,001 millimetres and 993 mm for the rear (970 in the hybrid). Measuring 1,120 mm, legroom up front is plentiful for the long-legged with 964 mm available to those in the back seat.

Note that three-row L models sit on the same length wheelbase as the two-version, which means a tight squeeze for anything but groceries. The Lexus RX 350 L comes in a standard 2/3/2 seating configuration with an option for second-row captain’s chairs (standard on the 450h L).

The cargo space behind the second row in a standard 2022 RX is 453 litres or 923 litres with the second row folded down. In those with a third row, with all seats upright, only 210 litres is available. With the third row down, that figure increases to 651 litres or up to 1,657 litres of cargo capacity with both back rows down. Keep in mind that the rear seats, regardless of configuration, do not fold completely flat. Also, although the power liftgate offers a wide opening, the load-in height for the cargo area is high thanks to the large, sporty-styled bumper.

But the Lexus RX does have thoughtful built-in interior features like a dedicated smartphone slot within the centre console, an adjustable-height cup holder, a dedicated quick-access head-up display button, and a flat-bottomed cargo net to help keep items in place.

Standard infotainment in the Lexus RX comes in the form of an 8-inch touchscreen display with a 12.3-inch version available as standard for the 450h L and an option for all other trims. According to Lexus, the touchscreens were moved nearly 14 centimetres toward the driver as part of the 2020 model-year refresh but we still found the positioning to be ergonomically unfriendly.

Both infotainment units sit within a cover on top of the centre stack. This design structure, although architecturally attractive, creates a lip in front of the screen and, thus, adds a couple of access issues. For some, this mini mountain partially blocks icons positioned along the bottom of the main menu page. Also, and completely dependent on your hand size and fingernail length, the obstruction forces you to tap downward on the touchscreen rather than place your fingers flat. This leads to frustration when repeatedly hitting the wrong setting.

Should you manage to select the correct menu icon, the touchscreen display is quick and responsive. Otherwise, the alternatives are voice commands and a touchpad. The former requires specific commands to be helpful; the latter is incredibly frustrating to use. Lexus created the most manically hypersensitive and unintuitive infotainment access gimmick that is difficult to operate regardless of whether you are parked or driving.

If only there were a way to deactivate the Lexus touchpad. This might make it more useable. For instance, it could be a place to hold snacks or loose change.

Also, the drive mode selector is placed right next to it on the centre console, so we kept mistaking the knob as a controller for the infotainment system. You know, like most control knobs in that position are in other luxury and non-luxury models.

This isn’t to say the Lexus RX is barren of any useful in-car technology and amenities. No, there is a long list of quality tech features available such as six USB ports; Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration; Bluetooth; wireless charging; a WiFi hotspot; dual- and tri-zone smog-sensing climate control; nine- and 12-speaker or 15-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio systems; navigation with cloud-based updates; heated and ventilated first-row seats and heated second-row seats; and more. For more connectivity, there is the Lexus App that allows for added personalization such as remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The Lexus Safety System 2.0+ is standard equipment on the 2022 Lexus RX. This suite of advanced driver assistance systems includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist and lane-tracing assist, a pre-collision system with cyclist- and pedestrian detection, and intelligent high beams.

Additional standard safety features are blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and a three-year trial of Lexus Enform Safety Connect, which offers GPS vehicle tracking in case of an accident or stolen vehicle.

The 2022 Lexus RX has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but only if equipped with the optional triple-beam LED headlights. In fact, the RX misses out on the IIHS’ top-tier “plus” designation because of its headlights rating. Likewise, the Lexus RX missed the cut with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), scoring four stars overall out of the agency’s available five stars. The Lexus RX obtained a 5-star rating in side crash tests but garnered four in both frontal crashes and rollover resistance. Considering the Lexus RX hasn’t been significantly updated in nearly a decade, its overall safety is still competitive against more recently redesigned vehicles.

Pricing also is where the Lexus RX has a competitive edge. While its starting MSRP is not the lowest in the segment, its low-to-high range has a smaller window than competitors, especially those with German roots.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 AWD starts at $57,500, not including the $2,145 destination fee. For context, the Lexus RX 450h starts at $60,250. The $2,750 difference between the RX 350 and RX 450h is a relatively small hike for a vehicle that offers 11 extra horsepower and 30 percent better fuel economy.

Although not the most updated vehicle in the midsize luxury SUV or crossover segment, a new Lexus RX remains one of the flashiest, scoring major points for its strong design. Even if its performance doesn’t match its athletic styling, the RX offers customers the things that probably lured them to the Lexus brand to begin with: comfort, quality, and reliability. The Lexus RX also has options others don’t offer, like a third row and a hybrid drivetrain. Those looking for a more dynamic driving experience, however, should shop elsewhere.

Note: Images show a US model.