Lexus RX 2025: Is It Worth the Hype? Why It’s the Best Choice!

 2025 Lexus RX

For five generations, Lexus has established the RX as a solid, five-passenger, compact luxury SUV, with a smooth ride, excellent build quality, and comfortable seats. Available as either a gasoline-only or hybrid vehicle, the base model Lexus RX350 offers 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. This is fine for those who prefer a quiet and tame driving experience, but if you're looking for something sportier and more powerful, consider rivals like the Porsche Macan or Maserati Grecale. The RX does an excellent job of providing luxury amenities, but the Genesis GV70 offers more modern features and refinement. Lexus fans won't be disappointed by the latest iteration of this reliable SUV, though.

What's New for 2025?

For 2025, the RX has seven trim levels available, including three that begin with F Sport: Handling, Performance, and Design. The RX F Sport Performance model has leather seats, while the other two use synthetic material from the brand. The F Sport Performance comes standard with a larger touchscreen and panoramic glass roof. The F Sport Handling has beefier six-piston front calipers, instead of the dual-piston setup found on the Performance and Design models.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The starting price for the 2025 Lexus RX is $50,325, and it can go up to $72,610, depending on the trim level and options. We think most buyers of the RX350 will be happy with the Premium Plus trim, which adds luxuries like a larger 14-inch infotainment display, leather upholstery, and a head-up display as an option.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2025 RX350 comes equipped with a standard 275-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available as an option. When Lexus redesigned the RX two years ago, it had the opportunity to redefine its driving experience, but the engineers decided not to improve the handling. The newest RX350 has the same soft suspension and focus on luxury as its predecessor, which will satisfy loyal customers but may not appeal to driving enthusiasts.

THE 2025 RX LINE

From thoughtful cabin appointments to the efficient plug-in electric hybrid powertrain, discover some of the driver-inspired features that make the RX line of luxury SUVs stand out.

F SPORT PERFORMANCE

Find more thrill with the RX F SPORT Performance. The responsive electrified and turbocharged powertrain offers an astonishing 366 combined horsepower and a 0-60 time of only 5.9 seconds.
The Adaptive Variable Suspension helps this SUV devour every corner, while the DIRECT4 all-wheel drive system optimizes traction at each wheel to enhance your sense of control.

THE RX PLUG-IN HYBRID

Plug into luxury as only Lexus can imagine. With a full charge, the RX 450h+ Plug-in Hybrid offers an EPA-estimated range of 37 miles in all-electric mode.*
And for those journeys that extend beyond the plug, the RX 450h+ seamlessly transitions to hybrid mode, with an EPA-estimated combined MPG of 35.*

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

More control, more confidence. The turbocharged RX models feature an all-wheel drive system that automatically sends up to 50% of the available power to the rear wheels when necessary. The electronic all-wheel-drive system in the RX Hybrid and RX Plug-in Hybrid models features a rear electric motor that provides instant torque to the rear wheels.

DESIGN

BOLD EXTERIOR

More than a concept, the 2025 RX is a statement of style, luxury, and performance. Its expressive grille, flanked by exquisite headlamps that resemble jewels, sets a bold tone for its appearance. Its elegant body shapes evoke a sense of power and grace, while the distinctive LED Blade Taillamp at the rear ensures that this luxurious SUV leaves a lasting impression.

CAPTIVATING CABIN

Experience a space designed just for you. The RX offers an open and welcoming cabin, decorated with the details and luxuries that you desire most. Customizable front seats allow you to create the perfect balance of comfort and support, while an ergonomically designed steering wheel and intuitive controls make it easy to drive.

RX F SPORT MODELS

The RX F SPORT models are dazzling in every detail. They feature distinctive exterior upgrades that add an edge to the elegance of this SUV. On the inside, the Handling and Performance models have enhancements focused on the driver. These include bolstered sports seats, a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, high-performance instrumentation, and aluminum accents.

AMBIENT ILLUMINATION

Adding intrigue to the interior, the available thematic ambient lighting can be tailored to suit your mood with 14 preset themes or a personalized selection. It can brighten or dim in a coordinated series, welcoming you into the RX. The soft lighting also illuminates the area around the vehicle as you approach, adding visibility and peace of mind.

POWER REAR DOOR WITH KICK SENSOR

The available Power Rear Door with Kick Sensor can be opened and closed using a button on the key fob, on the door lid, or next to the steering wheel. For added convenience, when your hands are busy, the integrated kick sensor allows you to open the door simply by kicking your foot under the rear bumper.

POWER-FOLDING REAR SEATS

Second row. First-class amenities. The RX offers heated and ventilated outboard rear seats for even more customized comfort. And when you need more cargo space*, these 40/20/40 split rear seats can be folded down to accommodate larger objects. With the available power-folding feature, you can raise or lower them through the Lexus interface touchscreen display or using controls in the rear cargo area.

0–60-MPH Times

On our first test drive, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine did not deliver notable performance. We estimate that the RX350 with front-wheel drive will reach 60 miles per hour (mph) in 7.0 seconds. Adding all-wheel drive may shave a little time off this time, but we still believe it will take 6.8 seconds for the vehicle to reach 60 mph.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the RX350 front-wheel-drive model earns ratings of 22 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel-drive RX350 model is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on highways. We will take the RX350 for a real-world fuel economy test on our 75 mph highway route as soon as possible and update this article with the results.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The RX is available exclusively as a two-row, five-seat SUV. This makes room for the three-row TX, which was introduced last year, above it. The RX has a more modern interior design than the previous generation model. There are textured fabric sections on the upper door panels, ambient lighting that looks rich, and open-pore wood trim. The cargo space behind the second row of seats is generous, so you can fit a lot of groceries or suitcases when going on a road trip.

Infotainment and Connectivity

A 9.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is located in the center of the redesigned RX dashboard. A larger 14-inch screen is available as an option. Like the NX SUV, the infotainment screen in the RX is angled slightly towards the driver and uses the latest Lexus software interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features, while navigation, a heads-up display, and the Mark Levinson audio system are available as options.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Lexus offers a range of standard driver assistance features on their new cars and SUVs, including the RX. The RX has an automated emergency braking system that can detect pedestrians and motorcyclists. All models also come with adaptive cruise control and lane centering.
For more information on the RX's safety features, you can visit the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Some key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.
- Standard lane departure warning with lane keeping assist.
- Adaptive cruise control with lane centering feature.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Lexus's limited warranty is comparable to that of most of its competitors in this segment, and its powertrain warranty exceeds that of many. However, the complimentary scheduled maintenance period is only one year, while the BMW X3 and Volvo XC60 offer longer terms.
- Limited warranty covers for four years or 50,000 miles.
- Powertrain warranty covers for six years or 70,000 miles.
- Complimentary maintenance is available for one year or 10,000 miles.