Versatility and reliability remain a top priority for those who are looking to buy into the current SUV market. There are more than enough options that meet these requirements as of 2025, but Lexus appears to be the brand that knows how to find the perfect balance, without having to sacrifice overall comfort and luxury levels. Within its comprehensive SUV catalog, the 2026 Lexus RX stands out as the best option you can consider if you truly want something that offers outstanding reliability and versatility.
- Base Trim Engine
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2.5L I4 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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2-speed CVT
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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183 HP @6000 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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233 lb.-ft. @ 4300 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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37/34/36 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Nickel metal hydride (NiMH)
- Make
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Lexus
- Model
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RX
For several years, the Lexus RX has consistently been the most popular luxury SUV option in the U.S. Versatility and reliability are some of its most noteworthy drawing cards, but existing and previous owners also sing its praises for delivering upstanding interior quality levels and no shortage of standard features. By merging Toyota’s reliable drivetrains with additional attention to detail, the RX separates itself from the luxury SUV pack as an option that you can keep for years without having to worry about costly maintenance.
The Lexus RX’s Outstanding Reliability Reputation
The Lexus RX is undeniably the best SUV you can consider if you value reliability above everything else. The range achieves impressive ratings across all of its testing thanks to its well-balanced drivetrain and interior design. J.D. Power issues the model with an 85/100 overall score, which consists of 85/100 for quality and reliability, 82/100 for the driving experience, 84/100 for resale, and 87/100 for the dealership experience. iSeeCars backs this with an 8.3/10 overall score, including 8.6/10 for reliability, 8.2/10 for retained value, and 8.0/10 for safety. The publication also indicates that you can expect the RX 350 to last you 14.7 years or 170,975 miles before you encounter any noteworthy mechanical issues, with a 31.7-percent probability of reaching 200,000 miles.
Impressive Value Retention Rates Bolsters Appeal
iSeeCars also highlights that the RX 350 will lose $22,409 or 43.8 percent of its value after five years or 60,000 miles, which is more than 10 percent better than what its main rivals struggle with. According to CarEdge, the Lexus RX Hybrid will cost you $57,867 over five years and 60,000 miles. This includes $25,704 on depreciation, $12,910 on insurance, $6,415 on fuel, $10,246 on financing, and $2,592 on maintenance.
In terms of ownership costs, Edmunds suggests that the base 350’s drivetrain is likely to set you back by $73,142 over five years and 60,000 miles, consisting of $10,501 towards maintenance, $1,310 to repairs, $21,121 to depreciation, and $16,024 to fuel.
The Lexus RX reached strong success in the U.S. because it creates a smooth blend of comfort, refinement, and everyday usability that American buyers value since the Japanese brand introduced it. It delivers quiet rides, reliable build quality, and easy ownership, which encourages long-term loyalty and strong word of mouth. It also offers controlled handling, efficient powertrains, and a cabin that feels upscale without overwhelming controls. Families appreciate its practical size and generous cargo space, and buyers trust its strong reliability record. Lexus dealers back it with consistent service experience, which reinforces confidence and keeps demand steady across multiple generations.
What Makes The Lexus RX The Most Dependable Luxury SUV Of The Decade?
In a world of flashy launches, high-tech wizardry, and prestige wars, the RX aims for something else: a guarantee. And for many buyers, that is luxury
Competitive Pricing For A Luxury SUV
Pricing for the Lexus RX 350 range starts at $51,175 for the base model, which includes ambient interior lighting, multi-zone climate control, NuLuxe leather upholstery, eight-way electrically adjustable front seats with heating, and Black Cascade interior trimmings. Additional features include a 12.3-inch digital information display, a 9.8-inch central infotainment system, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Lexus premium sound system.
On the exterior front, you get bi-LED headlights and LED taillights, heated door mirrors with auto tilt-down reverse and an auto-dimmer for the driver’s side, 19-inch Dark Gray Metallic alloy wheels, and a power tailgate. Upgrading to the Premium derivative increases the starting price to $53,350, and adds features including heated wood and leather-upholstered multifunction steering wheel, front seat ventilation, memory functions for the driver’s seat, black open-pore wood and Ash Bamboo interior trimmings, an electronically operated sunroof, and a wireless smartphone charger.
The RX’s Optional Package Structure
If you’re looking to make your RX ownership experience a bit more comprehensive, there are three specific packages that you can add. The first is the $1,670 Convenience Package, which adds a panoramic view monitor, traffic jam assist, and advanced park.
The Technology Package costs $350 on the base, $1,375 on the Premium+, and $475 on the rest of the range. This adds a wireless charger to the base model, a smartphone-powered digital key to all models, a 10-inch head-up display to the Premium+, and a digital rearview mirror to all models. The final package is the Kick Sensor With Tow Package for $870. This adds a power rear door with a kick sensor and a tow hitch receiver.
More Value From The Higher Trims
For $53,350, you can opt for the Premium+ trim, which adds thematic ambient illumination, a smog-sensing automatic recirculator for the climate control, perforated leather upholstery, 20-inch alloy wheels, a larger 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and the option to specify the panoramic sunroof.
The Luxury is the flagship trim of the range, with a $61,895 MSRP. For this, you get the panoramic sunroof as standard, a premium metallic finish for the 20-inch wheels, triple-beam LED headlights with cornering lamps, and a head-up display. The $55,680 F-Sport mimics the Premium trim, but with some specifically sporty interior and exterior trimmings.
The Lexus RX offers reasonably generous interior space for a midsize SUV. Up front, you get about 41.1 inches of legroom and 39.5 inches of headroom, while in the rear, it’s 37.4 inches of legroom and 38.6 inches of headroom. Cargo-wise, with the rear seats raised, the RX provides 29.6 cubic feet of storage; fold the rear seats down, and that expands to 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space.
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The Flagship 500h F-Sport Performance
For $64,800, you can get the top-of-the-range 500h F-Sport Performance, which includes all the Luxury’s features and F-Sport’s exterior trimmings, together with a substantial bump in power and suspension upgrades. The Black Line package adds a host of darkened exterior and interior trimmings for a more stealthy look, increasing the MSRP to $68,750.
Impressively Balancing Performance And Refinement
The base Lexus RX 350 features the brand’s turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine to your choice of the front or all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The system produces 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet, resulting in a 7.6-second 0-60 MPH time for the front-wheel drive and 7.4 seconds for the all-wheel drive model.
The RX 350h Hybrid features the Toyota Group’s naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and three permanent-magnet motors. This sends a combined 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet to all four wheels using a direct-drive eCVT. You can expect this model to cover a zero to 60 MPH acceleration sprint in 7.4 seconds before hitting a 124 MPH limited top speed.
The 500h F-Sport Performance adds the turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and one electric motor. A six-speed automatic transmission sends a combined 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet to all four wheels, which gets you from zero to 60 MPH in 5.9 seconds with a 130 MPH top speed limit. Both models will tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The Best-Selling Luxury SUV Of 2025 (So Far)
The luxury SUV market is swelling and the competition is hot, but this luxurious Lexus SUV is currently by far the best-selling model of 2025.
Appealing Fuel Consumption Returns
The RX 350 will consume 22/29/25 MPG and cover 445 miles on a single tank. You’ll find yourself spending $4,000 more on gasoline every five years compared to the average car, spending $2,450 on gas every year, and $4.07 to drive 25 miles. Both drivetrains feature a 17.8-gallon tank, which costs about $72 to fill.
The Lexus RX 350h doesn’t benefit from the best EPA-estimated figures within its segment, with the agency indicating that it will consume 37/34/36 on the city/highway/combined cycle and cover 619 miles on a single tank of gas. You won’t benefit from any fuel cost savings over five years, as you’ll spend $1,700 on gas every year and $2.81 to drive 25 miles.
The RX 500h will consume 27/28/27 MPG and cover 465 miles on a single tank. You’ll find yourself spending $2,750 more on gasoline every five years compared to the average car, spending $2,250 on gas every year, and $3.75 to drive 25 miles. Both hybrid models feature a 17.2-gallon tank, which costs about $70 to fill.
Source: J.D. Power, iSeeCars, Edmunds, CarEdge, and the EPA