Being Peaceful in the 2023 Lexus RX 350 - DM Review | Test Drive

The right car in the wrong spec: the 2023 Lexus RX 350 AWD.
Become a DM Member and get access to special content including custom sound tests and vehicle requests!
/ @dailymotor
Speeding ticket? Use Off the Record to get your ticket dropped! Code "Daily Motor" to support the channel! off-the-record...
Want wireless CarPlay? Buy here and support Daily Motor! carplaysmartbo...
More of this car: www.youtube.co...
Sound test: • 2023 Lexus RX - 12-spe...
Check out DM Sound for audio reviews: / @dailymotorsound
Check out our website for written reviews and content: thedailymotor.com
Music and graphics by Skyler Benn.
This video was filmed with in-ear, binaural microphones, so if you listen with headphones, it will sound like you're sitting in the driver's seat!
#lexusrx #lexus #cars #luxury

[@rightlanehog3151]

Charlie, It is time for people who value COMFORT in their vehicles to stand up and be counted.🖐🖐🖐🖐 In my RX, I would want the added 'luxury' of the 35+ mpg provided by the 350h. Speaking as a Canadian/Ontarian taxpayer, we sunk a lot of money into the plant that builds the RX. I will borrow a clear and concise message from a famous southern California news anchorman: STAY CLASSY LEXUS!!🤩🤩

[@roborme696]

As an RX owner, you're right, the RX350H (hybrid) is the way to go. And I didn't look twice at the Sport trims. But did go for the Mark Levinson. The first 15 seconds of two songs from each sound system sold the upgraded system to me. Hope you can do a review of the Mark Levinson system in this RX some time. Great video as always. Thanks.

[@roborme696]

And yes you can get upgraded seats in the top trim (here in Canada it is the exec trim) which has thigh extent ions and 4 way lumbar on both front seats. Heated and cooled seats in the rear as well

[@william6765]

As a NX350h owner, the RX350h is the way to go.

[@blu_is500]

I completely understand where you're coming from, but I think variety is the spice of life! 🙂 I've spoken to a few Lexus insiders and they hoped the more powerful engines would attract younger buyers. Instead, the reality is it's the husbands who buy the RX500h for their wives; so when they're in the car, they will have something fun to drive. Otherwise, their wives will leave it in normal mode 100% of the time. But hey...this SUV is a best seller for many reasons and I think variety is the main one. Thanks for posting!

[@panzer_TZ]

I completely agree about all these sport packages on comfort vehicles and I'd even add off-road packages to that, but the fact is that buyers like these packages for the looks and not because they actually plan to go off-road or drive sporty. For me personally, I've always been an elegant sleeper fan - I think it looks tacky adding sporty designs and parts on a vehicle that isn't sporty. The example I always use is that I'd much rather have an XLE V6 Camry over the tacky looking TRD Camry(Even the XSE models push it for me). Just because I have extra power does not mean I want my car to look like a fast n' furious movie.

[@richardmahoney9415]

I drive a Navigator everyone ask me why didn’t you get something sportier like the Audi or BMW X5 or X7 then they ride in the navigator with the perfect position seats and they all say the same thing now everyday I leave work stressed like most of us and by the time I get home after my hour commute in the navigator I’m 100% relaxed and refreshed that’s luxury to me at least

[@whero2770]

there's a higher seat option ~ semi aniline leather / seat length adjustment / 4 way lumbar support

[@micheltran7115]

My 2023 RX has 4-way lumbar. I did get the Executive package though.

[@sueddo2634]

I have the 2023 RX 350 F Sport. Literally the only reason I bought it is because the seats fit me better and I like the F Sport trim look more. I never put it in sports mode and could not care about the adaptive suspension. Considering the number of units sold of this thing I guess variation doesn't hurt.

[@brotherdubious]

True story: I had a deposit on a '23 RX350 Luxury earlier this year, but ended up cancelling it for a few reasons: 1) $66K sticker was a really tough pill to swallow for something with a 4-cylinder and less than 300hp, and it was near the top of my price range. 2) I liked the way it drove and how isolated it was on the highway, but the sound of the engine was really hard to ignore when not on the highway. In city driving, if you had blindfolded me and told me I was in a Kia Sportage based on the engine noise alone, I would believe you. 3) The inventory shortage made the wait period WAY too long for something like this, and not being able to configure it the way I wanted left me at the mercy of whatever Lexus was building at the time. I ended up with a nearly fully-loaded '23 BMW X5 PHEV, because with the tax credit and dealership discount (which Lexus wasn't doing btw), it ended up being nearly the same price. On top of that, it's more powerful, more efficient, more luxurious, and I think nicer to look at. On top of that, I was able to configure it exactly how I wanted it and it arrived in about 5 weeks. Overall, it is much more deserving of the price I paid for it. Lexus really messed up with the engine choices and some of the packaging on this car.

[@Wasabi9111]

Totally agree. Me and my 70s parents want the ultimate isolation/relaxation vehicle. They had anew 2010 RX for 11 yrs. Was recently in a brand new RX hybrid Uber in hilly Montreal traffic and the 4 cyl struggled and whined going up the hills. It was so unpleasant. We have gone full ev and it’s so quiet and the electric motors are so effortless.

[@mervinprone]

@@Wasabi9111The 350h is underpowered. You wouldn’t want that model unless you only care about fuel economy.

[@JrDumptruck]

I traded my lc500h for an rx500h. To answer your questions; I don’t even keep it in sport for extended periods, but for passing and nice open straights or corners with no traffic, I switch into sport. Comparing to our rx450h, the new rx is much quicker and smoother, but gets about 10% worse fuel economy. I drove the lc in the same way. It’s not about just fuel savings, that will never be recouped for the price. It’s about the savings on brakes, fuel, engine wear and the smoothness and quietness. The reliability is a major factor after owning multiple bmw m products. Never had to do anything more than oil, fluids, brakes in a Lexus.

[@MyThemeParkFanatic]

Latter-Day Saint parking lot 😜 awesome review! 👍

[@richardmahoney9415]

I love my Navigator for that reason it ain’t got a sporty bone in its body it’s quick you could say effortlessly powerful the motor has a nice growl the sound system is great the seats are great and I get out feeling better then when my drive started and living in Michigan it feels safe and stable and comfortable in 6-8 inch’s of snow or on a 89 degree summer day. Why do vehicles need to be sporty lots of us want luxury nothing else

[@xbwxxy]

Charlie, great review! Regarding the 450h mentioned in the video, did you actually mean the 350H? Thank you!

[@artieartya]

The adaptive suspension is awesome! Your get super comfortable while it soaks up all the bumps rough roads. Also tightens up and gives you confidence when going on those twisties. Are families not allowed to indulge in a sporty spirited drive??

[@DailyMotor]

Sure, but a base X5 is still going to be sportier than this.

[@artieartya]

@@DailyMotor ya when it’s not in the shop being repaired.

[@Adamlllllllllllljjjljljjjjj]

I’m guessing that’s why the sport mode is hidden in a menu, because it’s more comfort orientated. whereas BMW has the button permanently on display

[@giofromtexas2679]

Lexus is starting to cut corners and cheapen their cars. A Mark Levinson sound system, 12+ way power adjustable seats, heated rear seats and automatic start that doesn’t turn off when you open the door should be standard at this point.

[@Adamlllllllllllljjjljljjjjj]

I was so confused to what that bronze car is on the right at 15:55. It’s a hydrogen Hyundai. Pretty cool

[@officialyasir]

I agree with you, F Sport does not make any sense in the RX. My friend's friend bought one few years, my friend advised them against it but they didn't listen. My friend told me it rode like crap without actually being sporty. So why would they buy it? Simply because they thought it looked cool. These people are just the usual posers. No actual concept of sports cars but wanna play pretend.

[@sueddo2634]

If someone buys it because it looks cool makes them a poser? That doesn't make sense.

[@officialyasir]

@@sueddo2634 In this context, "looks cool" means it looks sporty, has F Sport badge, but it doesn't have the driving dynamics to back up its looks.

[@sueddo2634]

@@officialyasir I see your point. However, this applies to almost all major automotive companies now a days. You have the Sport Prestige Package from Genesis, TRD trim from Toyota, M Sport package with BMW (even with M Sport badges), AMG appearance package with Mercedes (even with AMG badges), the list goes on. While many of these cars have a better driving dynamic baseline compared to Lexus, they are all inherently "looks cool" but doesn't back the sporty design with performance (or in certain instances additional performance). Labeling all these individuals that add the appearance packages onto their cars as posers wouldn't technically be a good use of the term. At the end of the day it's all a marketing gimmick and I would prefer Lexus to rebrand the "F Sport Handling" to "F Sport Appearance" like they did with the IS350 line but honestly no one cares except the select few on KZbin and automotive journalists.

[@officialyasir]

@@sueddo2634 Just because others are doing it doesn't make it okay. And at least others have RWD platforms with better weight distribution and better dynamics, the RX is a FWD platform made to be AWD, it's a nice, comfy, reliable crossover for the family, no point in pretending to be sporty because it's simply not, poser term suits the RX FSport really well, much more than others.

[@sueddo2634]

@@officialyasir interesting, what is your take on the RX500H if I may ask?

[@toddolson7273]

Love my 24 RX 350 Prem + AWD so far. I looked at some of the competition before purchasing. BMW X5 - much more expensive and didn’t want the long term maintenance costs or depreciation. Genesis GVxx - much more expensive and could not find their base model anywhere. They had plenty of inventory. All starting at $79k. Acura MDX - I’ve had 2 of them but felt like the tech was behind. Still no touch screen. Mazda CX - too noisy and ride was not comfortable. Wheel and road noise excessive. Bumps reverberate through the body. Audi - looks outdated overall. What really sold me was the quality, comfort, quietness, tech, looks, reliability and ride. The 2.4 turbo works great and is quiet with good torque for passing and around town driving.

[@kyle223cat]

Genesis GV70 starts at $43k and goes up to $69k. Not sure what you’re talking about.

[@toddolson7273]

Can’t find them in Phoenix. Where are u seeing them? I don’t get all my info on the internet. I go out and look.

[@iproapple7494]

Lot of road noise?

[@DailyMotor]

No, it's very quiet.

[@marcm8473]

Honestly, some of those quality issues especially on build quality would have people raging on any other brand. I expect that shoddy build quality from Buick, or some other pseudo luxury brand, not Lexus

[@joengret]

Lexus has taken a steep drop in quality control and value over the last 5-10 years.

[@giofromtexas2679]

Yep! I just commented about this… a lot of features are missing at this price point that you can get on a Kia/Hyundai that’s much cheaper.

[@JohnCillian]

People like to complain for anything. For years toyota has been getting crap for being a "boring" company but now that they try with their Fsport trims people don’t like it either? Can’t please everyone I guess

[@ayushmalpeddi2793]

The Fsport doesn’t making it more fun and entertaining to drive. It’s purely about looks. Even the 500H version is not thrilling to drive. A base X5 is still quicker, faster, handles better, better driving dynamics/steering, etc. Plus the B58 sounds better and is pretty damn efficient. People love Toyotas actual sporty cars like the GR lineup and the real F models. The Fsport is too bias towards luxury and comfort. It still appeals to plenty of people just no car enthusiast like on YT and online.

[@markovwms]

They need to figure out how Volvo got their 4 cylinders to sound like a 6-cylinder

[@Wasabi9111]

The 4 cyl in the Volvos are just as unrefined and underpowered.

[@welcomesongs4437]

i wont pay 1$for this car ,its sad to see the legend Rx became like this in 2023 ,back in days rx was something, today i have to say you buying a bunch of plastic withe a larger screen

[@richardmahoney9415]

🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️

[@RightAboutRichTV]

Even as a journalist you still sound afraid to say negatives about the car.

[@DailyMotor]

Part of that is because I don't want to come across as not liking the car in general. I think it's a great buy. I just didn't like some of the choices Lexus made

[@RightAboutRichTV]

@@DailyMotor you didn’t come across as not liking it to me at all, I’m sure to many people as well. Then again I get how fine the line is between being negative and opinionated it is on the internet.

[@waldowallace9749]

X5 lookin better

[@naveenthemachine]

You all know exactly what I’m going to say about the RX. And it’s not good😂 I don’t even have to explain what’s wrong with the car. Spoiler: everything is wrong with it

[@naveenthemachine]

So you’re all still saying Lexus has the best build quality? 😂 Teslas don’t have this issue. Nor does any other brand in existence