Lexus RX 350:- The Lexus RX 350 has always built its reputation on one idea: make luxury feel effortless. The 2025 model sticks to that script with a squared-off, modern face, a tidy rear, and proportions that still look elegant in the hotel porch as well as in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Step in and the cabin feels hushed in that Lexus way—soft touchpoints, crisp screens, and switches that don’t scream for attention. It’s luxury that whispers. For buyers cross-shopping German badges, the Lexus RX 350 pitches serenity rather than shock value, and it works.
Design
Up front, the grille design now blends into the body with a smoother frame, flanked by sharp lamps and clean DRLs. The surfacing is more athletic than shouty. Inside, the “Tazuna” cockpit orients controls toward the driver while keeping sightlines clear.
The big story is the screen: a standard 9.8-inch unit is fine, but the available 14-inch touchscreen is the one you’ll want—it pulls your maps, camera views and audio into a single, quick UI that behaves like a high-end tablet. Add the Mark Levinson system and the Lexus RX 350 turns late-night drives into a private lounge.
Powertrains
Mechanically, the RX family offers four flavors. The Lexus RX 350 uses a 2.4-liter turbo four with 8-speed automatic for the classic smooth-petrol feel. The RX 350h is the sweet-spot hybrid with real-world savings and the same relaxed vibe. The RX 500h goes sporty with a performance-hybrid setup that adds serious punch while maintaining Lexus polish.
And in some markets you’ll also see the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid, which swaps fuel stops for wall-socket top-ups and delivers a sky-high MPGe figure when your commute fits its EV range. Numbers vary by trim, but the spread is broad enough that anyone—from calm commuters to weekend hustlers—finds a match.
The “45 MPG” question—what the official ratings say
You’ve probably seen headlines shouting “45 MPG.” Here’s the straight answer: official EPA guides for the 2025 RX list the RX 350h hybrid at ~36 mpg combined (37 city/34 highway), while the non-hybrid Lexus RX 350 sits around 24 mpg combined. Dealers and Lexus research pages consistently repeat the 37/34/36 pattern for 350h, and independent reviews echo the same. That’s excellent for a midsize luxury SUV—but it isn’t 45 mpg.
Some blogs have floated the bigger number, yet it doesn’t appear in EPA or Lexus materials. If stellar efficiency is your top priority, pick the RX 350h; if you want silent EV commutes, the 450h+ PHEV (where offered) can deliver a very high MPGe when driven mostly on battery.
Cabin experience
What makes the Lexus RX 350 addictive isn’t a spec; it’s the way the cabin removes friction. Seat comfort is cushy without being floaty. The steering weight is light in parking and neat on the highway. The way the suspension shrugs off broken patches adds that signature Lexus “glide.” With the 14-inch screen, wireless phone integration and a digital driver display, daily chores—calls, maps, playlists—take fewer taps.
And when you add the Mark Levinson audio, the soundstage turns long drives into therapy. India-spec pages call out the 14-inch unit and connected features clearly, underlining how central the tech is to the experience.
Safety and assistance
Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 brings pre-collision support with pedestrian detection, lane tracing, adaptive cruise, road sign assist, proactive driving assist and auto high beams, among others.
The crucial bit is how the Lexus RX 350 surfaces this info on screen—clean graphics, quick prompts, and minimal menu diving. It feels like a bodyguard who actually anticipates your next move rather than nagging you for every lane marker.
Infotainment and connectivity
SYDNEY to Saket, the recipe is the same: plug in wirelessly, set your route, and forget your phone. The Lexus Interface is snappy on the 14-inch display and supports over-the-air updates. The 360° camera pack is worth it if you do tight parking.
Multiple USB-C ports keep everyone charged. It’s a dashboard designed for actual life—school runs, airport pickups, mall spirals—not a spec sheet.
Ride and handling
The Lexus RX 350 isn’t trying to be a canyon-carver; it aims to be consistently calm. Steering is precise enough to make city slicing easy, highway stability is confident, and the chassis tuning damps expansion joints with that single, well-controlled “thump” you expect from Lexus.
Hybrid versions add a touch of EV smoothness off the line; the RX 500h adds punch without turning crashy. For most families, this is exactly the balance they want.
Pricing and value
In the US, 2025 models typically hover around the $50–56k zone for well-equipped Lexus RX 350 trims, stepping higher with luxury and performance grades; 2026 stickers start from $51,075, which helps frame expectations.
In India, the RX is hybrid-only and sits in the ₹96 lakh–₹1.20 crore bracket depending on model and audio package. If your priority is maximum value, a RX 350h Premium/Premium+ with the 14-inch screen is the sweet spot; if you want the sharpest driving feel, sample the RX 500h.
Features that matter every single day
Beyond the big screen and safety suite, the Lexus RX 350 scores on the little courtesies: easy-to-clean materials that don’t smudge at the first kid snack, seat ventilation that actually cools in a Delhi summer, and storage that fits real bags, bottles and cables.
The two-row layout keeps the second row generous, and the boot is a neat rectangle—no weird intrusions—so suitcases sit flat.
Should you upgrade from an older RX?
If you’re in a pre-2023 RX, the leap to the 2025 Lexus RX 350 feels modern in three ways: the infotainment is years ahead, the ride/noise isolation is better, and the hybrid’s efficiency is meaningfully higher. You also gain the latest Safety System+ 3.0 logic with cleaner graphics and wider function. For many owners, those three reasons alone justify the swap.
Early verdict
The Lexus RX 350 remains the segment’s “no-stress” choice. It isn’t the loudest in a spec war; it’s the one you’ll enjoy living with day after day. The hybrid RX 350h is the mileage hero (officially ~36 mpg combined), the RX 500h is the power move, and the RX 350 petrol stays the familiar comfort play.
Call the “45 mpg” chatter what it is—wishful thinking—then test drive the hybrid and see how close you get in your routine. For most buyers, that’s the number that matters.
FAQs: Lexus RX 350 2025
Is the 2025 Lexus RX 350 really a “45 MPG” SUV?
No. Official guidance for the 2025 RX puts the RX 350h hybrid at about 36 mpg combined (37 city/34 highway), and the non-hybrid Lexus RX 350 around 24 combined. Still excellent for a luxury midsize SUV, but not 45.
What screen size should I pick—9.8-inch or 14-inch?
Go for the 14-inch if budget allows. It makes navigation, camera views and media simpler at a glance and is highlighted across market materials, including India-spec listings.
Does the RX 350 get the same safety tech as the hybrids?
Yes. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 is the theme across the range, bundling pre-collision assist, lane tracing, adaptive cruise and more with clean, readable prompts.
How do prices compare in India vs the US?
India sells the RX as hybrids only: RX 350h Luxury from ₹96.13 lakh and RX 500h F SPORT+ from ₹1.18 crore (higher with Mark Levinson). In the US, 2025/2026 RX stickers start just over $50k before options.
Which RX should I buy if I drive mostly in the city?
The RX 350h hybrid. It’s smooth in stop-go traffic, returns the best real-world economy, and keeps the refined Lexus RX 350 feel intact. EPA ratings back the efficiency claim.
Is the Mark Levinson audio worth it?
If you care about sound, yes. It elevates the already quiet cabin, and India price sheets specifically call out the Mark Levinson variants.
What’s special about the RX 500h?
It’s the performance-hybrid with 366 hp and a more urgent character while staying comfortable—ideal if you like quick merges and confident highway passes without sacrificing refinement.
Does the RX offer a plug-in hybrid?
Yes, the RX 450h+ in select markets. It pairs usable EV range with luxury calm and posts very high MPGe numbers when you charge often. Check local availability.
How “luxury” is the interior compared to rivals?
The Lexus RX 350 trades outright flash for craftsmanship—quiet cabin, supple seats, clean tech. If you value serenity and durability over wow-factor gimmicks, it’s a strong pick.
Bottom line
Ignore the noise; look at how you live. If you want a midsize luxury SUV that is easy to drive, easy to own, and easy to recommend, the Lexus RX 350 family—especially the RX 350h—delivers the kind of calm, connected experience that makes every commute feel shorter.