Everyone seems to have a crossover SUV these days, even on the luxury side of things. One luxury automaker that is far from new to this segment is Lexus, and I recently spent some time driving the latest version of its crossover -- the 2014 Lexus RX 350.
I’m back with a full report on its performance and to let you know if it lives up to the Lexus name and reputation.

LOOKS
This is a beautiful machine; like most Lexus vehicles. You get the distinctive Lexus grille up front, and a very slick-looking vehicle design all around.
Inside, you get a decent amount of room for a small SUV; not the best I’ve seen, but still respectable and comfortable. And of course, being a Lexus, there are lots of luxurious touches to live up to the brand name (wood trim, etc.). You definitely feel like you’re driving a high-quality vehicle just based on your surroundings, even before you hit the button and turn on the engine.
There is not as much storage room in the center console area as I would have liked, but there are some little features (like an extra cup holder to the left of the dashboard) that help..
One thing you won’t get here is an option for a third row, like some crossover competitors do offer.

ENGINE, HANDLING, OVERALL RIDE QUALITY
The RX350 features a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine with 270 horsepower; not the most powerful vehicle on the road but definitely no slouch.
It was a smooth drive overall and responsive in terms of handling; definitely a vehicle I looked forward to driving.
You get a 6-speed automatic transmission with “snow mode” -- a boost for folks in climates like we have in Michigan.
Front-wheel drive is standard, but you can also upgrade to all-wheel drive.

MPG
I averaged about 20 mpg while driving the Lexus RX350. Official numbers are 18 city/24 highway/20 combined, so I was right on target. This isn’t the best you’ll find in this category, but the numbers are still pretty impressive.

TECH
One unique feature you’ll notice right off the bat is that the screen is not a touchscreen. Instead, you control the vehicle’s Lexus Enform system via a mousepad-like device in the center console
Honestly, this is one of the weaker points of the vehicle. I got used to it, but the controls were a bit too touchy sometimes and the cursor goes past where you want to go too often. .
Thankfully there are also voice controls that work pretty well, but if you have to delve in with the manual controls it can be a bit of a chore.
On the plus side, the RX350 comes with a 90-day trial of Sirius/XM satellite radio (which I highly recommend renewing; I’m pretty much allergic to terrestrial radio and all its commercials after getting spoiled by satellite).
You get dual-zone climate controls, a helpful multi-informational display that tells you all you need to know about what’s going on with the car, MPG, etc.; plus keyless entry and ignition.
My vehicle had an upgrade to the 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound package, which is among the most impressive options in car audio that I’ve heard.
Bluetooth connectivity (allowing you to join your phone to your car) and heated seats are standard, but navigation is not.

SAFETY, OTHER FEATURES
You get a full 10-pack of airbags on the RX350 (front/rear/side/knee, etc.); ABS with brake assist, and the Safety Connect package (which includes automatic collision notification, emergency assist button, roadside assistance).
You can upgrade and get some very handy features like blind-spot monitoring, a rearview camera (which I think should be mandatory on all cars as it’s a critical safety tool); and adaptive cruise control (anticipates what those in front of you are doing and reacts).

PRICE
The version of the RX350 that I tested starts out at $41,160.
It also came with:
-- The $1,340 comfort package (Xenon HID headlamps, rain-sensing wipers and heated/cooled front seats (3 levels each of heat/cooling offered, which is nice);
-- A hefty $5,020 for the luxury package (including a leather upgrade, moonroof; folding mirrors that are also heated; blind spot monitor (very helpful for safety and peace of mind); heated wood and leather steering wheel (classy look, like the car in general); and memory settings for the driver’s seat/steering wheel/mirror’
-- $995 for the Mark Levinson sound system (with CD/DVD player, HD Radio, 15 speakers)
-- $2,775 for the Navigation with Voice package, backup camera and Lexus Enform
All in all, fully decked-out version I drove came in at $53,104.
It all comes down to another version of the overall question: Do I want to spend this much on a vehicle?
Once you’ve decided to stay in the luxury realm, you must ask: Do I want to spend this much on features?

BOTTOM LINE
As it has been since it’s arrival more than a decade ago, the Lexus RX350 remains a thoroughly enjoyable and capable vehicle to drive that’s as sharp-looking as any crossover SUV on the road, and you’ll feel very comfortable and very happy with your choice if you take home a 2014 Lexus RX 350; but its price will obviously limit who can even consider picking one up, and the size of the vehicle for the money you’re spending may push some away.
In the $40K to $50K range, there are plenty of larger vehicles available, so be certain this is the right size and model for you before taking the plunge. And it’s worth checking out the competition from luxury competitors like Acura and Infiniti, who also have quality offerings in this segment.