Summary

The 2026 Lexus RX 350 is a luxury midsize SUV that exemplifies Lexus’s dedication to blending refined comfort, advanced technology, and practical versatility in a premium package. Powered by a 275-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, it delivers smooth and efficient performance enhanced by innovative engineering features such as a center injection system and continuously variable capacity oil pump. The RX 350 competes strongly in the luxury crossover segment by offering a spacious interior, modern infotainment, and a comprehensive suite of standard safety technologies through Lexus Safety System+ 3.0.
This model year introduces a broad range of trim levels—Standard, Premium, Premium+, Luxury, and three F SPORT variants—allowing buyers to customize their experience from well-equipped base models to sportier, performance-oriented editions with exclusive styling and suspension tuning. Across trims, features such as wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, and an optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system cater to diverse preferences and elevate driving comfort. The trim lineup maintains consistent equipment across gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains, reflecting Lexus’s focus on flexibility and customer choice.
Despite largely incremental updates from the previous model year, the 2026 RX 350 has garnered positive reviews for its luxurious ride quality, advanced safety features, and balanced fuel efficiency, though experts emphasize the importance of careful trim selection to maximize value. Notable enhancements such as standard wireless charging and the addition of a Premium trim on certain hybrid variants respond to buyer demand for connectivity and convenience. Regional pricing and availability vary, with the vehicle positioned competitively starting around $60,000 MSRP depending on trim and powertrain choices.
While generally well-received, the RX 350 faces scrutiny typical of luxury SUVs regarding its pricing relative to competitors and the complexity of its trim hierarchy, which can challenge buyers navigating the options. Nevertheless, the 2026 Lexus RX 350 remains a compelling choice for consumers seeking a blend of dependable luxury, cutting-edge technology, and tailored performance in a versatile crossover.

Overview

The 2026 Lexus RX 350 embodies Lexus’s commitment to delivering luxury that is both effortless and refined, catering to buyers seeking a premium driving experience without sacrificing practicality or long-term dependability. The RX 350 is powered by a 275-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that generates 317 lb.-ft. of torque, featuring advanced technologies such as a center injection system for stable combustion, lightweight spherical lipless pistons for high-speed combustion, and a continuously variable capacity oil pump to optimize performance based on driving conditions. This model is available in over seven trim levels, including Standard, Premium, Premium+, Luxury, F SPORT Handling, F SPORT Performance, and F SPORT Design, allowing customers to tailor the vehicle to their preferences and needs. Dimensions remain consistent across trims, providing ample passenger space and practical cargo capacity. The 2026 RX 350 is equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 as a standard feature, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies such as forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, and emergency steering assist, enhancing both safety and driving confidence. Additional features include available amenities like a head-up display, which projects vital information such as speed, navigation, and driver-assist alerts directly in the driver’s line of sight on select trims, and the optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system, delivering high-fidelity audio tuned specifically for the RX cabin. These elements combine to make the 2026 Lexus RX 350 a versatile and luxurious choice for discerning SUV buyers.

Trim Levels

The 2026 Lexus RX 350 is offered in a diverse range of trim levels designed to suit various preferences and needs, with each trim delivering a consistent set of core features regardless of the chosen powertrain. The trims available include Standard, Premium, Premium+, Luxury, F SPORT Handling, F SPORT Performance, and F SPORT Design, providing buyers with numerous options to tailor their vehicle.
The entry-level Standard trim comes equipped with 19-inch wheels, synthetic NuLuxe leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power liftgate, ambient lighting, and a power tilt/telescoping steering column. Technology features include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker audio system. Safety is enhanced by the inclusion of Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 across all trims.
Moving up, the Premium trim builds on the Standard’s offerings by adding amenities such as a moonroof, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and windshield-wiper de-icers. It is available across several powertrains and offers an improved level of comfort and convenience. For those desiring a more luxurious interior, the Premium+ trim upgrades the seating with genuine leather upholstery and additional refined touches.
The Luxury trim represents a higher tier that maintains the same equipment consistency across all powertrains, including the RX 350, RX 350h, and RX 450h+. It offers more sophisticated interior materials and enhanced features, catering to buyers seeking a more premium experience.
For performance-oriented customers, Lexus offers three distinct F SPORT trims: Handling, Performance, and Design. These variants feature exclusive styling elements such as unique front and rear bumpers, aluminum-trimmed pedals, and a sport-tuned suspension. The cabins are adorned with sporty metal accents, exclusive steering wheels, and specialized instrument clusters. The F SPORT Performance trim is further distinguished by Michelin Pilot Sport tires and dark exterior accents.
Wireless phone charging is standard on all 2026 RX models, enhancing convenience for tech-savvy users. The infotainment system across the range includes a Lexus Interface powered touchscreen, with higher trims offering a larger 14-inch display, cloud navigation, an intelligent assistant, and an available Mark Levinson 21-speaker audio system.

Detailed Feature Comparison Across Trims

The 2026 Lexus RX 350 offers a range of trim levels designed to cater to varying preferences for luxury, technology, and performance. Understanding the distinctions between these trims is essential to ensure buyers select a model that aligns with their desired features without overpaying for extras they may not need.

Standard Trim

The entry-level Standard trim comes equipped with a robust set of features that establish a strong foundation for luxury and safety. It includes 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power tilt/telescoping steering column. Ambient lighting enhances the cabin ambiance, while the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 9.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system provide modern connectivity, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system consists of 12 speakers, delivering clear sound throughout the cabin.

Premium Trim

Building on the Standard, the Premium trim introduces several comfort and convenience enhancements. Key additions include a moonroof, heated steering wheel, windshield-wiper de-icers, and ventilated front seats. The steering wheel also receives a heated wood- and leather-trimmed upgrade, complemented by the Lexus Memory System for personalized driver settings. Interior materials upgrade to genuine leather, and thematic ambient illumination enriches the cabin atmosphere. Moreover, the center touchscreen expands to 14 inches, integrating Cloud Navigation and an Intelligent Assistant for a smarter driving experience.

Premium Plus and Luxury Trims

The Premium Plus trim extends the Premium’s features by adding wireless charging and a leather-trimmed interior, coupled with ambient illumination and a 14-inch touchscreen display for enhanced usability. The Luxury trim advances further, standardizing heated and ventilated power rear seats, triple-beam LED headlamps, and a panoramic glass roof that floods the interior with natural light. A head-up display is included, projecting vital driving information directly into the driver’s line of sight, which is optional on Premium+ models. This trim also supports advanced parking aids, such as automated parking and a 360-degree camera system, which is available on all trims except the Standard.

F Sport Handling and F Sport Performance Trims

The F Sport variants cater to enthusiasts seeking sportier dynamics and styling. Both trims include the head-up display as standard and offer the same advanced parking features as the Luxury trim. Performance-oriented tuning complements the 275-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. These trims balance refined power delivery with the Lexus hallmark of ride comfort and stability.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

Every 2026 RX 350 comes equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, which encompasses forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, emergency steering assist, oncoming vehicle detection, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors are also standard across all trims. Optional safety upgrades include a 360-degree camera system and automated parking on all trims aside from the Standard, while semi-autonomous driving technologies such as the Teammate Advanced Drive system are expected to be introduced in future RX models.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The infotainment experience evolves from the 9.8-inch touchscreen in the Standard and lower trims to a 14-inch display in Premium and above trims. Features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain standard, alongside Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, Wi-Fi Connect, and Drive Connect services with trial periods ranging from three to ten years depending on the system. Higher trims may also offer premium audio options such as the 21-speaker Mark Levinson® Surround Sound system, delivering immersive sound tailored to the RX’s interior.

Interior Space and Practicality

The RX 350 maintains a spacious cabin with generous legroom afforded by the GA-K platform, alongside practical cargo space that supports everyday activities. For those requiring additional passenger capacity, the RX 350L long-wheelbase variant introduces third-row seating and enhanced features such as wireless charging, a heated steering wheel, and intuitive park assist, elevating the overall driving experience.

Evolution of Trim Lineup

The Lexus RX lineup has seen a thoughtful evolution since its introduction, with trim offerings expanding and refining to meet diverse customer preferences. When the RX 400h was launched in 2005 as the first hybrid variant, it featured brushed aluminum interior accents rather than the wood trim found in the standard RX models. By 2006, the RX 400h incorporated Bird’s Eye Maple wood trim as an option, aligning its interior luxury with the non-hybrid RX 300, RX 330, and RX 350 series. Notably, the hybrid RX 400h/Harrier commanded a significant premium over its gasoline-powered counterparts, reflecting its advanced powertrain technology at the time.
Over the years, Lexus has maintained a largely consistent approach to trim content across different powertrains. For the 2026 model year, the RX trim levels remain similar whether buyers select the RX 350, 350h hybrid, or 450h+ plug-in hybrid variants. Entry-level Standard trims now include features such as 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power tilt/telescoping steering column. The integration of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto illustrates the brand’s commitment to modern technology across trims.
The introduction of hybrid variants has broadened the RX lineup, offering three types of hybrids for 2026: standard non-plug-in, performance non-plug-in, and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) models. This variety allows buyers to choose based on efficiency, performance, or electric-only driving capabilities. Lexus also offers distinctive F SPORT Design packages that build upon Premium trims by adding sportier exterior elements such as a unique front fascia, black roof rails, and 21-inch Gloss Black Metallic wheels, catering to customers seeking enhanced style and agility.
Despite incremental updates over the years, Lexus has carefully refined the RX trims without compromising the luxury, comfort, and craftsmanship that define the model. Minor 2026 changes include subtle technological enhancements and feature adjustments aimed at keeping the RX competitive in the luxury crossover segment while offering buyers a well-rounded range of trim options. This thoughtful evolution ensures that the RX remains accessible to a broad spectrum of buyers, from those seeking reliability and core luxury features to enthusiasts desiring sport-oriented performance and design.

Owner and Expert Feedback

The 2026 Lexus RX 350 has garnered a mixed but generally positive reception from both owners and automotive experts. Consumer reviews reveal a divided opinion, with about half of the owners rating the vehicle five out of five stars, indicating strong satisfaction particularly with its luxury design and comfort features. Owners have praised the RX for its comfortable ride quality, making it suitable for both long trips and everyday use, with many appreciating the standard all-wheel-drive on hybrid models as a valuable addition.
Experts highlight Lexus’s commitment to delivering a refined luxury experience that balances performance, practicality, and fuel efficiency. The RX 350 is noted for maintaining respectable fuel economy figures without compromising on power or driving smoothness, which aligns with Lexus’s philosophy of effortless luxury. Reviewers emphasize the importance of carefully selecting trims to ensure buyers get desired features without overpaying, as trim levels differ in available technology and comfort upgrades.
Several critiques and recommendations stem from professional assessments: the inclusion of wireless phone charging as a standard feature across all trims is seen as a positive step toward modern convenience, and the addition of advanced driver assistance systems such as the 360-degree camera and automated parking on higher trims enhances usability. The introduction of the Premium trim on the RX 450h+ and the availability of appearance packages for F SPORT grades offer more customization, which experts note as beneficial for buyers seeking a personalized luxury crossover.

Choosing the Appropriate Trim

When selecting the 2026 Lexus RX 350, it is crucial to carefully evaluate the available trims to ensure you obtain the features you desire without overpaying for extras you may not need. The RX 350 lineup consists of multiple trims that generally maintain consistent features across different powertrains, meaning the Luxury trim includes the same equipment whether it is on the RX 350, RX 350h, or RX 450h+.
The entry-level Standard trim offers a well-rounded set of features including 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power tilt/telescoping steering column. Inside, it includes ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker audio system. For those seeking additional comfort and convenience, the Premium trim adds amenities such as a moonroof, heated steering wheel, windshield-wiper de-icers, and ventilated front seats.
In 2026, wireless phone charging has become standard across all RX models, addressing a common buyer request. The 2026 RX lineup features seven grades: Standard, Premium, Premium+, Luxury, F SPORT Handling, F SPORT Performance, and F SPORT Design, with the new Premium grade introduced on the RX 450h+ model. Buyers aiming for a sportier experience can choose among the F SPORT trims, which now can be paired with the Appearance Package for enhanced styling.
Given the relatively minor changes from the 2025 to 2026 models — mainly the inclusion of wireless charging and the new Premium grade on certain variants — buyers should weigh their budget and feature preferences carefully. Utilizing tools such as Car and Driver’s Comparison Tool can simplify this process by allowing side-by-side evaluation of trims based on features, specifications, pricing, and performance. Ultimately, selecting the appropriate trim involves balancing desired luxury, technology, and performance features against budget considerations to

Pricing, Availability, and Regional Variations

The 2026 Lexus RX 350 offers a range of trim levels and powertrain options, with pricing reflecting these variations. Generally, the MSRP includes the base price, any factory-installed options, as well as delivery, processing, and handling fees, which are determined by Lexus’s overall pricing structure and the specific services provided. For buyers on a budget of around $60,000, the basic “Premium” trim is the most accessible, particularly for hybrid models. Hybrid Premium Plus trims tend to start closer to $63,000 MSRP, excluding taxes, title, and license fees.
Trim content across powertrains remains largely consistent, meaning the Luxury trim has similar features whether paired with the RX 350, RX 350h hybrid, or the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid. Entry-level trims include amenities such as 19-inch wheels, power liftgate, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium trim upgrades add features like a moonroof, heated steering wheel, windshield-wiper de-icers, and ventilated front seats, allowing buyers to tailor their choice according to desired features without significant price disparities between powertrain types.
While the 2026 model may offer subtle updates such as wireless phone charging, the overall differences from the 2025 model are minimal, which can influence purchasing decisions based on budget and feature priorities. It is advisable for prospective buyers to carefully evaluate trims to ensure they obtain desired features without overpaying for unwanted options.
Regional availability can vary depending on local dealership inventories and incentives. Buyers are encouraged to consult with dealerships to confirm eligibility for special offers and to verify precise pricing in their area. Additionally, some lease agreements may require participation from household members or previous leaseholders to qualify for specific leasing incentives on new Lexus vehicles.

The content is provided by Avery Redwood, Front Signals