2025 Lexus RX 350h review: Nice, but lacks vice

A bland crossover SUV, the luxurious Lexus RX is perfect for those who seek careful transportation

2025 Lexus RX 350h review by The Road Beat

Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman

Competency does not always equate to character. Of course, character is entirely subjective, as is the case with the dreamy Mr. Darcy—a classic, swoon-worthy romantic interest, but I doubt he could tell a good joke. The Lexus RX dates back nearly three decades, and while the 2025 RX 350h sees no changes from last year’s model, it continues to show its strengths through its well-rounded and competent nature as a luxury vehicle. If you’re looking for solid, cosseting transport in a crossover, you’re in luck. But if you’re craving character, you’ll want to widen your search.

Picks

You’ll likely notice the singular lowercase “h” tacked onto the name, signaling this Lexus is a hybrid. Under the hood lies a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with two small electric motors, delivering a combined 246 horsepower. Unlike some cheaper Toyota hybrids, like the Corolla, this four-banger produces smoother pulses and sounds. The real treat is how seamless the hybrid system feels, especially when transitioning from fully electric at parking-lot speeds to combined combustion and electrons while coasting. Observed gas mileage hit 34 MPG during a week of mixed driving—an excellent metric that bests countless smaller cars by a wide margin.

At first, the RX’s sheet metal wasn’t my cup of Austen tea, but a year on, the sharp bodywork has grown on me. The bit of body that waterfalls into the grille still feels odd, but this is a perfectly fine-looking car—and a fine-looking Lexus. The sharp creases play especially well with darker colors.

Lexus has fooled me before, and it’s no surprise that the NuLuxe seating surfaces outshine real leather in cheaper applications. I genuinely thought these were cowhide, but the spec sheet doesn’t lie. Though the RX shares a lot mechanically with lesser Toyota models like the Highlander, it comes across as a ground-up Lexus, and it shows inside with a myriad of thoughtfully soft, comforting materials that exude assured solidity. Controls feel confident, and the RX nails its luxury vehicle mission. It’s also whisper-quiet on the road, paired with a cushioned yet controlled ride on most surfaces.

Space is plentiful for most, with rear seats that are decently comfortable and offer ample legroom. Cargo volume takes a hit due to the sloping roof and liftgate design, but you still get nearly 30 cubic feet of storage in the back. It’s less than a RAV4, but the tradeoff is a perfectly serviceable back seat for family, friends—and your Dalmatian.

Nicks

No new vehicle is perfect, and even if the above compliments check your boxes, some negatives keep the RX 350h from earning a glowing review in The Road Beat.

Despite the economical four-cylinder hybrid, it often feels overstressed, struggling to motivate this much mass with just 246 horsepower. You’ll need plenty of revs for forward progress, and outright acceleration is noticeably absent. This is the base hybrid engine for the RX, and it’s worth avoiding for this reason alone, as it lacks the performance of modern alternatives. Sure, it’s a better four-cylinder than past Toyota and Lexus offerings, but it’s still a weak contender when you mash the pedal.

I like the interior push-button door releases, but the exterior handles are pointlessly bulbous and clunky despite being fixed in place. Instead of pulling like a normal door handle, they sense your hand to unlock electronically. It never feels intuitive, and if Lexus is ditching traditional handles, they should make them sleek and retractable rather than tacking on these oversized grab bars that scream gimmicky, early-2000s futurism.

Comfort scores high, but the RX drives like a Regency-era carriage on a racetrack. The steering is decent, but there’s no verve or eagerness in any direction. The ride can falter on rough roads, with excessive oscillation from the dampers grappling with the hybrid system’s added weight. The real letdown comes when you turn the wheel into a corner a bit quicker than planned. Where rivals bite and bolt through turns, the RX takes a lazy approach, suffering from body roll and tire protests at even modest speeds. Handling gets sloppy through a sequence of bends, and a glance at the Monroney reveals the F Sport package does nothing for the chassis—just spruces up the visuals. Competitors like Genesis or Acura can be fun to drive, but the RX disappoints on challenging roads.

Missing character

This is a nice car, but sometimes a nice car could use a dash of vice in its persona. You’re left with a luxurious, comfortable crossover that’s—let’s be honest—pretty boring. If you want transportation that lets you quietly turn your brain off from A to B, it’s great. But I like my cars with an edge. With how much time we spend driving, it should at least be fun. The fuel economy is stellar and will win over many on that merit alone, but if you want a luxurious crossover that’s also a blast to drive, you’d do best to look elsewhere.

2025 Lexus RX 350h AWD

As-tested price: $60,230

2025 Lexus RX 350h Basic Specifications

• Powertrain:

  • 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine + two electric motors (hybrid)

  • Total system output: 246 horsepower

  • Torque: 233 lb-ft

  • Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

  • Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (AWD)

• Fuel Economy:

  • 37 MPG city

  • 34 MPG highway

  • 36 MPG combined

• Performance:

  • 0-60 mph: ~7.4 seconds

• Dimensions:

  • Wheelbase: 112.2 inches

  • Length: ~192.5 inches

  • Width: ~75.6 inches

  • Height: ~67.3 inches

  • Curb Weight: ~4,133 lbs

• Interior Space:

  • Passenger Capacity: 5

  • Front Headroom: 39.5 inches

  • Front Legroom: 41.1 inches

  • Second-Row Headroom: 38.6 inches

  • Second-Row Legroom: 37.4 inches

  • Cargo Volume (behind rear seats): 29.6 cubic feet

  • Maximum Cargo Volume: 46.2 cubic feet

• Infotainment and Technology:

  • Standard Display: 9.8-inch touchscreen (14-inch available)

  • Connectivity: Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa

  • Audio: 12-speaker Lexus premium sound system (Mark Levinson® option available)

  • Additional Features: Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assistant, Safety Connect (up to 10-year trial), Wi-Fi Connect (up to 30-day/3GB trial)

• Safety Features:

  • Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control)

  • Blind-spot monitors, automatic emergency braking with cyclist/pedestrian detection

  • Available: Surround-view camera, Advanced Park, Traffic Jam Assist

• Starting MSRP:

  • ~$52,775 (including destination charge, varies by trim)

• Warranty:

  • Bumper-to-bumper: 4 years/50,000 miles

  • Powertrain: 6 years/70,000 miles

Thank you for reading The Road Beat's 2025 Lexus RX 350h review. All images by Mitchell Weitzman and mitchellweitzmanphoto.com. Please subscribe for more new vehicle reviews and image galleries.