• 2022 Lexus RX ($45,320 – $55,790)
• Top Safety Pick – IIHS
• Best Luxury Mid-size SUV/Crossover for 2019 – Kelley Blue Book
• Pro: The 2022 Lexus RX soldiers on with an exceptional build quality, a serene driving experience, and a fuel-efficient hybrid trim level.
• Con: Looks are subjective, but the RX can be a little harsh on some eyes.

If you’re in the market for a luxury SUV, then the 2022 Lexus RX is a safe and excellent choice. Now in its fourth generation, the Lexus RX continues to provide buyers with an outstanding value compared to German competitors like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, in addition to quirky rivals like the Volvo XC90 and Genesis GV80. Believe it or not, with a base price of around $45,000, the 2022 RX actually undercuts all of those competitors by a large margin while maintaining exceptional build quality and a robust roster of features.

Which Lexus RX trim level is right for you?

For the 2022 model year, the Lexus RX comes in 10 different trim levels, so there should be one that works for you. Here is a breakdown:

• RX 350 – $45,320 (FWD), $46,720 (AWD)
• RX 350 F Sport – $48,800 (FWD), $50,200 (AWD)
• RX 350L – $48,150 (FWD), $49,550 (AWD)

• RX 450h AWD – $48,020 
• RX 450h F Sport AWD – $51,500
• RX 450h L (AWD) – $51,410

• RX 350 Black Line – $49,450 (FWD), $50,850 (AWD)
• RX 350L Black Line – $52,805 (FWD), $53,930 (AWD)
• RX 450h AWD Black Line – $52,425
• RX 450hL AWD Black Line – $55,790

That’s a lot of trim levels, however, it’s worth noting that the RX 350 models are gas-powered while the 450h models denote the hybrid variants. Also, the Black Line models are special edition variants that come “murdered-out” with a black grille, front splitter, rear diffuser, black leather interior, and black 20-inch wheels.

My test car for the week was a 2022 Lexus RX 450h F Sport painted in Grecian Water with a black leather interior. That bright blue paint job is only available on the F Sport models, however, there are seven other colors in the RX’s palette to choose from.

The Lexus RX’s styling hasn’t changed since 2016

In case the 2022 Lexus RX looks familiar, don’t worry, you’re not seeing things. What you’re looking at is the same body style that’s been around since 2016, so it’s safe to say that the RX’s exterior is getting a little long in the tooth. However, Lexus doesn’t seem to mind as it’s the type of automaker that seems to operate on the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mantra. It’s even safer to say that it works.

The Lexus RX has the same polarizing looks that consist of a collection of sharp angles, body creases, and an overall soft silhouette. It’s not ugly, but admittedly, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, its creative design should withstand the test of time, just as it has for the past six years.

Is the Lexus RX comfortable?

If I only had two words to describe the Lexus RX’s interior, it would be “pillow-soft.” The supple leather seating provides an upscale feel and the whole layout oozes comfort. That being said, the RX’s interior could still use an update. German competitors nowadays have digital driver displays and augmented reality infotainment systems, but the Lexus RX stays true to its older roots by utilizing a standard 8-inch touchscreen that sits in the center of the dash and is controlled by a remote touchpad.

There are no complaints about the RX’s interior space and cargo volume, though, as the SUV can fit up to five passengers comfortably. If you need to fit up to seven passengers in an RX, then you can opt for the “L” models, which come with a power-folding third row and second-row captain’s chairs.

The Lexus RX comes with all of the standard and available features you need

The RX wouldn’t be a Lexus if it didn’t come with a wealth of features. As such, the most notable standard features on the base RX 350 include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, heated side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone auto climate control, and power tailgate.

As stated before, there’s a standard eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes Apple Carplay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Bluetooth, and a nine-speaker sound system.

Some of the notable options that are available on the RX include heated and ventilated front seats, real leather seating surfaces, a wood and leather steering wheel, a 360-degree camera system, 20-inch alloy wheels, navigation, a wireless phone charger, a hands-free tailgate, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a premium Mark Levinson sound system.

Those looking for a sportier RX experience can find it in the F Sport trim levels. Those models are equipped with an F Sport-tuned adaptive suspension, a heated steering wheel, F Sport electronic steering, in addition to various drive modes.

How does the Lexus RX handle?

No matter which Lexus RX trim level you choose, you’ll be treated to one of the most comfortable SUVs on the market. At slower city speeds, the cabin feels like a serene cocoon that blocks the world outside, while the car’s supple ride soaks up any bumps and road imperfections with ease.

At highway speeds, the ride feels largely the same with only a little more tire and wind noise coming through. When the roads get curvy, the RX can handle the turns better than you might expect, especially when it’s equipped with the F Sport handling package.

Otherwise, driving the Lexus RX is a pleasant and stress-free experience whether you’re embarking on a long road trip or just going to the grocery store down the street.

The Lexus RX has two different engine setups

For the 2022 model year, the Lexus RX can come equipped with two different engine setups. There’s a gas engine for the RX 350 and 350L models, while the 450h and 450hL variants come with a hybrid powertrain. In standard form, the Lexus RX sends its power to front wheels, although an all-wheel drive configuration is available. Additionally, an eight-speed automatic transmission shifts the gears in the gas-engine models.

The hybrid models add three motors to the 3.5-liter V6, reports Kelley Blue Book. There’s one located between the rear axle to drive the rear wheels, while another is mated to the gas engine up front to power the wheels upfront. Together, the combination yields an electronic all-wheel drive setup. Lastly, a third motor acts as a generator and handles the start/stop function.

Here is a breakdown of each powertrain:

• 3.5-liter V6 (RX 350, RX 350 F Sport)
  295 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
  267 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
  EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg (FWD), 19/26 mpg (AWD)
• 3.5-liter V6 (RX 350L, RX 350L F Sport)
  290 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
  267 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
  EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 mpg (FWD), 18/25 mpg (AWD)
• 3.5-liter V6/three permanent magnet synchronous electric motors (RX 450h, RX 450hL)
  259 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm (gasoline engine only)
  Total system horsepower: 308
  247 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm (gasoline engine only)
  EPA city/highway fuel economy: 30/28 mpg (RX 450h), 29/28 mpg (RX 450hL)

In my real-world mixed driving situations over the course of a week, I achieved an average of 31 mpg in the RX 450h test car that I drove. I found that the power came on smoothly with a seamless transition between the electric motor and gas engine. However, the cabin got a little noisy whenever the engine would kick on to recharge the battery at certain times.

Is the Lexus RX safe?

Every Lexus RX is equipped with plenty of active and passive features to keep you and your occupants as safe as possible. In addition to 10 airbags, the RX comes standard with a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring alert. Other safety features include a lane departure alert with steering assist as well as intelligent high beams.

In addition to those safety features, the Lexus RX was also given a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It also received a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Is the RX expensive to maintain?

According to the Edmunds “True Cost to Own” breakdown, the Lexus RX is relatively cheap to maintain considering its price point. The projected maintenance costs during the first five years of ownership add up to an average of $7,497. As for repairs, RX owners could pay an average of $1,194 for the first five years.

Fortunately, Lexus RX owners won’t need to worry too much about some repairs during the first few years of ownership as every RX is covered by a 48-month/50,000-mile basic warranty. The powertrain is covered by a 6-year/72,000-mile warranty and for hybrid models, the hybrid system is covered for up to 8-years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

The 2022 Lexus RX remains a formidable rival in a competitive segment

The 2022 Lexus RX sits in an upscale competitive segment that’s filled with some formidable competitors. However, with its comfortable interior, pillowy ride quality, and strongly efficient powertrains, the Lexus RX holds its place well among them. And if the Lexus RX isn’t on your shortlist, then it deserves a spot on there too. You won’t be disappointed.

MotorBiscuit gives the 2022 Lexus RX an expert rating of 8.0 out of 10

The editors at MotorBiscuit gave the 2022 Lexus RX an overall rating of 8.0 out of 10. The Lexus RX is a staple in the luxury SUV category and it’s hard not to recommend it to anyone in the market for a plush SUV that can fit up to seven. Additionally, the RX provides an exceptional value compared to its rivals and we expect that it should remain in the marketplace for many years to come.