2021 Lexus RX Test Drive Overview

If you’re looking to describe the modern design aesthetic of Lexus, look no further than the styling of the 2021 RX. It’s all there, from the large grille to angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof, to the sumptuous seating, perforated leather upholstery, and bland center console.

Lexus sells the RX in five variants: the RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid. The RX and RX Hybrid are the base models within their respective powertrain sets. The RX F Sport is the most performance-focused version of the car while the RXL and RXL Hybrid have extended bodies and a third row of seating.

Changes made to the body of the RX for the 2020 model year remain for 2021. For 2020, the car received more elongated headlights and a nose job designed to make the SUV’s front end look less like a fish with its mouth open, a look that was heavily criticized for when the current generation debuted.

Lexus equips the car with standard 18-inch aluminum wheels; LED headlights, daytime running lights, and brake lights; rear privacy glass; side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, and an integrated rear spoiler that conceals the windshield wiper mechanism.

Available exterior upgrades include 20-inch split five-spoke wheels with dark silver paint, triple-beam LED headlights, a windshield wiper de-icer, and heavy-duty heater.

The F Sport Appearance package includes 20-inch F Sport wheels, black outer mirrors, F Sport steering wheel, F Sport badging, F Sport meter, F Sport front and rear performance dampers, a perforated leather-wrapped shift knob, scored aluminum trim, and unique fascia.

The interior is nicely appointed, even in the base RX 350 model where buyers get standard carpeted floor mats, chrome inside door handles, coat hooks, a fabric-covered sun visor with illuminated vanity mirrors, a leather-trimmed three-spoke steering wheel and shift knob, NuLuxe-trimmed seats, power-adjustable front seats, a reclining second row, and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel.

Semi-aniline leather upholstery, captain’s chairs, front sport seats, a sport steering wheel, a heated steering wheel, aluminum pedals, heated and ventilated front seats, a power-folding and reclining third row, a second-row armrest, a power-folding second-row, heated second-row seats, driver’s seat memory settings, and second-row sunshades are available.

The biggest sore point in the entire SUV is the design of the center console. Much can be said about Lexus’ infotainment system setup, but there’s also the issue of it being perfectly functional though dated in its appearance. While other automakers have switched to piano black plastic surrounds with chrome accents or a multi-screen setup that foregoes traditional radio and climate control buttons, Lexus has stayed with a dated charcoal plastic look and traditionally illuminated buttons.