If you've been looking for luxury in all the wrong places, the 2012 Lexus RX 350 is right for you. Essentially unchanged from previous years, the RX 350 is an SUV with a smooth ride, dreamy interior and safety features comparable to many high-end, luxury sedans. All of this in a midsize, crossover SUV that has just been retooled to use regular unleaded gas. Be still my heart.

The 2012 Lexus RX 350 is offered in only one trim level, but it’s everything you could ever want in an SUV. There are three option packages available to make anyone happy. The Appearance package includes 19-inch alloy wheels and blacked-out headlight rings. The Sports package also includes 19-inch wheels but has the addition of a sporty tightened suspension and Lexus' Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. The Premium package includes a sunroof, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, leather seats, power rear liftgate, driver's-seat memory settings and a rear-seat armrest.

Lexus RX models are available with front- or all-wheel drive. The RX 350 has a 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and a spunky 6-speed automatic transmission. Mileage is what would be expected of a midsize SUV at 18 mpg city/25 highway. If you really want to get superior mileage, then you might want to feast your eyes on the RX 350’s sister, the RX 450h. Acceleration in the RX 350 is energetic and responsive at any speed. Hill-start assist is standard, and the RX 350 can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Its handling is agile for a midsize SUV, but for the best handling, the Sports package is recommended for sharper maneuvering and a firmer ride.

There are few vehicles in the RX 350’s class that have its exceptional ride quality and options. The interior is posh with real wood and thoughtful colors, and the ride is pleasantly quiet. The cargo space in the rear is ample, but because the rear seats do not fold completely flat and the roof is sloped, you may find fitting tall or bulky items difficult. However, the RX will haul its passengers in style and comfort. Back seat passengers have ample legroom and easy entry and exit, their own cupholders and reading lights – Power to the back seat! Lexus has also added pull handles, which makes it easy to fold down the back seats from the back of the car.

There is a navigation system available that's controlled by a console-mounted "Remote Touch" module, which is described as being intuitive and easy to use, much like a mouse. It also includes real-time traffic and weather alerts. An optional side-view monitor uses TV cameras to show a wide-angle passenger-side view of the vehicle on the navigation screen. Optional features include a dual-screen DVD entertainment system, hands-free parallel-parking system and adaptive cruise control.

The RX 350 comes standard with Lexus’ Pre-Collision System, which tightens the seatbelts and readies the braking power when sensors detect an imminent collision, thereby reducing damage. Other standard safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, front-side airbags, rear-side airbags, and front knee airbags, and Safety Connect, which calls for help if you can’t in the event of an accident. And to help you fend off any unwanted advances, Lexus offers a theft deterrent system that uses a rolling code to immobilize the engine until the correct smart access key is detected, thus disappointing potential thieves. Rain-sensing wipers are also available, however water repellent windows are standard. All of the RX models come with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that monitors and notifies the driver of a dangerously low tire. Love that.

The Lexus RX 350 is a sumptuous, well-appointed SUV that will carry you and your passengers in comfort and safety, and it's priced at or below the level of many premium cars on the market that won’t have the room many families need. Yes, the RX 350 is all that and a bag of chips.