2012 Lexus RX 350

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$39,075

starting MSRP

2012 Lexus RX 350

Key specs

Base trim shown

SUV

Body style

21

Combined MPG

5

Seating capacity

187.8” x 67.7”

Dimensions

Front-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

The good:

  • Overall refinement
  • Seat comfort
  • Optional Pre-Collision System
  • Optional dual-screen entertainment system

The bad:

  • Road noise
  • Leather seats not standard
  • Joystick-operated navigation system

1 trim

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2012 Lexus RX 350 trim comparison will help you decide.

See also: Find the best SUVs for 2023

Notable features

  • 10 airbags
  • FWD or AWD
  • Optional wide-view side monitor
  • Optional head-up display
  • RX now takes regular gas

2012 Lexus RX 350 review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

Lexus’ popular five-seat RX crossover shares a lot of components with the Toyota Venza crossover. All-wheel drive is optional. Rivals include the Acura MDX, Buick Enclave and Lincoln MKX.

The RX comes as a gas-powered RX 350 or gas-electric hybrid RX 450h. The latter model is covered separately in the Cars.com Research section.

New for 2012
The RX 350’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine is now rated for regular gas, and a new Appearance Package features 19-inch seven-spoke wheels and darker headlight housings.

Exterior
The RX 350 has a downright wagonlike stance. In back are frosted taillight effects. Exterior features include:

  • Standard 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Optional 19-inch wheels
  • Water-repellant front door glass
  • Automatic on/off headlights


Interior
The RX’s interior has swooping panels and futuristic controls. Chief among them is Lexus’ Remote Touch system, which uses a knob to navigate menus with a mouselike cursor on the dashboard screen. Other features include voice-recognition software that Lexus says will pick up conversational prompts rather than formal, specific commands.

High-tech options include a head-up display with LED lighting that’s purportedly bright enough to read even on a sunny day. Interior features include:

  • Cloth seats are standard; leather is optional
  • Real wood interior trim
  • 10-way power front seats


Under the Hood
A 275-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 is standard; it works with a six-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds, a rating the MKX can match and the MDX and Enclave can beat. Mechanical features include:

  • Standard front-wheel drive
  • Optional all-wheel drive
  • Automatic transmission features clutchless-manual mode


Safety
Ten standard airbags include four in front — the two required chest airbags plus two knee airbags — as well as seat-mounted side-impact airbags for both rows of seats. Head-protecting side curtain airbags cover both rows, too.

Lexus’ Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system, which better integrates the electronic stability system with various other systems, is optional. So is a radar-based Pre-Collision System that can cinch the seat belts and prime the brakes for maximum response should it detect an imminent impact. An optional side-mirror-mounted camera system gives drivers a wide view of the adjacent lane. Additional standard safety features include:

  • Active front head restraints
  • All-disc antilock brakes
  • Traction control
  • Electronic stability system

 

Consumer reviews

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.9
  • Interior 4.8
  • Performance 4.8
  • Value 4.7
  • Exterior 4.7
  • Reliability 4.9

Most recent consumer reviews

5.0

Quality and comfort

On the last I use to love honda cars but now I bought this Lexus and I really feel in love with this luxury and comfortable car, really love it

5.0

Quality and reliability

This is my 5th Toyota built vehicle. All have been reliable, dependable and economical with high quality and that touch of the luxurious. My 2001 Highlander lasted 14 years and 300,000 miles before trade in for RX330.

4.0

it is one of two excellent autos for reliability,

The car has two faults for me. It is too sensitive to steering wheel. I believe this is the result of two features. #1 is length of wheel base, #2 is the immediate initiation of power steering when the steering wheel is initially moved, or possible the result of both. The gas tank is too small, in some driving situations the range is less than 300 mi. The steering is a safety issue.

See all 74 consumer reviews

Warranty

New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
48 months/50,000 miles
Corrosion
72 months/unlimited distance
Powertrain
72 months/70,000 miles
Roadside assistance
48 months/unlimited distance

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