2022 Lexus RX Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2022 Lexus RX is available in base 350, F Sport, and L trim levels for its gas powertrain. A hybrid model also exists with the RX 450h distinction. The RX 350 and F Sport offer seating for five while L signifies the three-row, 7-passenger option. Having received a revised grille and other exterior flourishes for its 2020 model-year facelift, the 2022 Lexus RX design continues to be modern and sporty. Amongst its key competitors in the midsize luxury crossover segment (e.g, Audi Q5, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, Mercedes-Benz GLE), the RX offers the most aggressive styling.

The character lines are distinctively razor sharp. And throughout the RX exterior, particularly in the front and rear, angular features reminiscent of a boomerang stop just short of what we’d call excessive. This careful restraint results in a satisfying yet eye-catching design language—even in a paint as innocuous as Nebula Gray Pearl, like our RX 350 F Sport test vehicle. Speaking of paint, the standard RX color palette adds Cloudburst Gray and Iridium for 2022, while F Sport models welcome Grecian Water. In all, there are seven flattering paint options for all trims.

Now, as its name suggests, the F Sport trim is the performance-oriented option and also the most athletic in appearance. The base and L varieties of the gas and hybrid RX models feature 18-inch wheels, bi-LED headlights, integrated LED turn signals, a rear spoiler, and LED daytime running lights and brake lights. But opt for the F Sport and the vehicle is upgraded to 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, dark window trimming, F Sport badging, and a unique front fascia that includes larger air intakes. Both front and rear bumpers of RX F Sport models also differ from the base and L variants. All RX models offer a high-fashion exterior appeal, but F Sport trims offer just enough subtle sportiness to look that much cooler.

The interior of the RX is presented in the same way. Regardless of trim, the Lexus RX cabin offers the same luxury appeal with F Sport models adding that Sporty Spice vibe. There are nearly a dozen color combinations available for RX 350 and 450h models with the F Sport trim as the exception. To keep things sporty, the RX F Sport features model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum for the trim, pedals, and footrest, paired with NuLuxe synthetic leather in either black or dark red. Non-F Sport models can be optioned with a mix-and-match of NuLuxe or semi-aniline leather seats with a selection of metal and wood trim pairings.

There are plenty of soft-touch surfaces and a high-quality feel to the hard plastics like knobs and buttons. The center stack does feel a bit dated, though. Maybe it’s due to the abundance of buttons? Hard to say but the RX hasn’t been redesigned going on seven years now. The 2020 refresh did add then-new infotainment touchscreens but they are positioned atop the center stack which wasn’t changed at all.

In terms of comfort, we found the NuLuxe seats for the RX F Sport to be less than pleasant. Almost as if the driver’s seat had been manufactured without a cushioned layer. Lumbar support was also disappointing in that there was no height adjustment. Also, in spite of the fact that the seats and steering wheel column are power-adjustable, it took us several behind-the-wheel sessions to find an ideal driving position. Even then, we invariably always felt as though we were sitting too close to the steering wheel.

For those who prefer high-end looks over handling ability, the 2022 Lexus RX is available in the limited-edition Black Line trim level. Only 2,500 units will be offered in North America with a split of 2,100 gas models and 400 hybrid ones. Outfitted in either Eminent White Pearl or Caviar exterior colors, Black Line Special Edition vehicles start as RX 350 or 450h models with a Premium Package and then add black-colored exclusivities to the signature grille, outside mirror housing, lower front bumper, wood interior trim, NuLuxe seats, and badging. To elevate the premium look, contrast gray stitching is utilized throughout the cabin.

The Lexus RX 350 is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h adds two high-torque electric motors to the V6 for a combined output of 308 hp. Regardless of powertrain, all RX models feature an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on the RX 350, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available. For the hybrid RX, AWD is the only option.

But for all the performance prowess the Lexus RX exudes on the surface, in real-world ability, the vehicle is a phony. In spite of F Sport designation of our test vehicle, sadly, it didn’t have a sporty bone in its body. And we’re not sure whether to feel anger or disappointment at the deception.

The engine note sounds closer to a turbocharged four-cylinder than a V6. It hums rather than growls. To be honest, there were times we’d have preferred something closer to silence. Acceleration was just as unimpressive. The Lexus RX tends to dawdle as if rudely awakened from a Sunday afternoon nap. And if fully alert, its driving mannerisms offer hesitance rather than confidence.

With the F Sport, front and rear performance dampers are standard. An additional F Sport Handling package, which our test vehicle had, adds tuning bits like an adaptive variable suspension borrowed from the LC500 sports car as well as a sound generator, sport steering, and a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. Also, F Sport models add a Sport+ drive mode to the standard choices of Eco, Normal, and Sport. Hybrid models get an EV mode.

Drive modes change throttle response, gearing, and steering. If you’re not in a hurry and don’t mind adjustments to your climate control settings, select Eco. Sport and Sport+ are supposed to mean tighter steering and stiffer dynamics. But in switching between Normal and Sport/Sport +, we couldn’t decipher significant changes in the driving manner or handling.

The vehicle does behave noticeably differently between Eco and Normal. Sport and Sport+, however, appear to be more of a Lexus aspiration than an actuality, even with the paddle shifters. Normal mode became our standard drive setting, which the vehicle defaults to anyway whenever the engine is started.

Where the Lexus RX performs as expected is in driving comfort and cabin quietness. Perhaps engineers knew you’d take a while getting anywhere, along the journey, the RX absorbs up rough patches like a dried-out sponge that you think every road was recently repaved. And in spite of the uninspiring engine sound, the overall cabin offers a bit of serenity. Road noise is isolated and with such a compliant ride, the RX isn’t a bad companion on long drives.

According to EPA estimates, the 2022 RX 350 returns 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 combined. Add AWD or opt for the three-row L model and all figures drop 1 mpg. A 350L AWD is the least efficient of the Lexus RX family with an estimated 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. The RX hybrid, of course, leapfrogs these figures. The RX 450h has a fuel efficiency rating of 30 mpg combined, getting 31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The 450L maintains the highway figure but sees a minimal one-mpg drop with a combined mpg of 30 due to a 29-mpg city estimate.

The standard, two-row Lexus RX has 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume and can fit four adults comfortably. There is room for five but it may be a snug fit in the rear with the middle seat being a short-trip option. Headroom for the front seats is 39.4 inches and 39.1 for the rear. Measuring 44.1 inches, legroom up front is plentiful for the long-legged with 38.0 inches available to those in the back seat.

Note that three-row L models sit on the same length wheelbase as the two-version, which means a tight squeeze for anything but groceries. The Lexus RX 350L comes in a standard 2/3/2 seating configuration with an option for second-row captain’s chairs (standard on the 450h L).

The cargo space behind the second row in a standard 2022 RX is 16.0 cubic feet or 32.6 cubic feet with the second row folded down. In those with a third row, with all seats upright, only 7.45 cubic feet is available. With the third row down, that figure increases to 23.03 cubic feet or up to 58.48 cubic feet of cargo capacity with both back rows down. Keep in mind that the rear seats, regardless of configuration, do not fold completely flat. Also, although the power liftgate offers a wide opening, the load-in height for the cargo area is high thanks to the large, sporty-styled bumper.

But the Lexus RX does have thoughtful built-in interior features like a dedicated smartphone slot within the center console, an adjustable-height cup holder, a dedicated quick-access head-up display button, and a flat-bottomed cargo net to help keep items in place.

Standard infotainment in the Lexus RX comes in the form of an 8-inch touchscreen display with a 12.3-inch version available as an option for all trims. According to Lexus, the touchscreens were moved 5.5 inches toward the driver as part of the 2020 model-year refresh but we still found the positing to be ergonomically unfriendly.

Both infotainment units sit within a cove on top of the center stack. This design structure, although architecturally attractive, creates a lip in front of the screen and, thus, adds a couple of access issues. For some, this mini mountain partially blocks icons positioned along the bottom of the main menu page. Also, and completely dependent on your hand size and fingernail length, the obstruction forces you to tap downward on the touchscreen rather than place your fingers flat. This leads to frustration when repeatedly hitting the wrong setting.

Should you manage to select the correct menu icon, the touchscreen display is quick and responsive. Otherwise, the alternatives are voice commands and a touchpad. The former requires specific commands to be helpful; the latter is so frustrating to use that it should be considered a hate crime. As in Lexus hates you so much, it created the most manically hypersensitive and unintuitive infotainment access gimmick that is difficult to operate regardless of whether you are parked or driving.

If only there were a way to deactivate the Lexus touchpad. This might make it more useable. For instance, it could be a place to hold snacks or loose change.

Also, the drive mode selector is placed right next to it on the center console, so we kept mistaking the knob as a controller for the infotainment system. You know, like most control knobs in that position are in other luxury and non-luxury models.

This isn’t to say the Lexus RX is barren of any useful in-car technology and amenities. No, there is a long list of quality tech features available such as six USB ports; Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration; wireless charging; Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot; dual- and tri-zone smog-sensing climate control; nine-, 12-, and 15-speaker premium audio systems; navigation with cloud-based updates; heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats; and more. For more connectivity, there is the Lexus App that allows for added personalization such as remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The Lexus Safety System 2.0+ is standard equipment on the 2022 Lexus RX. This suite of advanced driver assistance systems includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist and lane-tracing assist, a pre-collision system with cyclist- and pedestrian detection, and intelligent high beams.

Additional standard safety features are blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect, which offers GPS vehicle tracking in case of an accident or stolen vehicle. With the Lexus app, there is the added benefit of Collision Assistance to help with documenting and filing accident reports.

The 2022 Lexus RX has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but only if equipped with the optional triple-beam LED headlights. In fact, the RX misses out on the IIHS’ top-tier “plus” designation because of its headlights rating. Likewise, the Lexus RX missed the cut with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), scoring four stars overall out of the agency’s available five stars. The Lexus RX obtained a 5-star rating in side crash tests but garnered four in both frontal crashes and rollover resistance. Considering the Lexus RX hasn’t been significantly updated in nearly a decade, its overall safety is still competitive against more recently redesigned vehicles.

Pricing also is where the Lexus RX has a competitive edge. While its starting MSRP is not the lowest in the segment, its low-to-high range has a smaller window than competitors, especially those with German roots.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 FWD starts at $47,720 or $49,070 for AWD models. Pricing includes the $1,075 destination fee. For context, the RX 450h starts at $50,420. The $1,350 difference between the RX 350 AWD and RX 450h is a relatively small hike for a vehicle that offers 11 extra horsepower and 30 percent better fuel economy. And if you want the aggressive features of either the Black Line or F Sport variants, you can opt for those, too.

Although not the most updated vehicle in the midsize luxury SUV or crossover segment, the Lexus RX remains one of the flashiest, scoring major points for its strong design. Even if its performance doesn’t match its athletic styling, the RX offers customers the things that probably lured them to the Lexus brand to begin with: comfort, quality, and reliability. The Lexus RX also has options others don’t offer, like a third row and a hybrid drivetrain. Those looking for a more dynamic driving experience, however, should shop elsewhere.