I have driven many luxury SUVs in my life. But the Lexus RX is the one you see everywhere. It is in every school pickup line and every grocery store parking lot. Why is it so popular? I decided to test the new 2026 Lexus RX to find out. I wanted to see if it is really as good as people say.
This review is for normal people who want a nice car. I will explain everything in simple words. I wont use big technical terms unless I have to.
Quick Spec Table
Here is the data for the car guys who like numbers.
| Feature | Specification |
| Engine (Base) | 2.4L Turbo 4-Cylinder |
| Horsepower | 275 hp |
| Torque | 317 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD or AWD |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.2 – 7.6 seconds (Base model) |
| MPG (Base) | 22 City / 29 Hwy |
| Cargo Space | 29.6 cu ft (seats up) |
| Screen Size | 9.8″ or 14″ Touchscreen |
| Base Price | ~$52,000 |
What is the 2026 Lexus RX?
The Lexus RX is a mid-size luxury SUV. It has two rows of seats and fits five people. It is famous for being very comfortable and very reliable. It is the car you buy when you want luxury but you don’t want to worry about repairs.
For 2026, Lexus made some small changes. The biggest change is that a wireless phone charger is now standard on every model. Before, you had to pay extra for it on some trims. There is also a new “Black Line” style appearance package for the F SPORT models. It makes the car look sportier with black wheels and trim.
Exterior Design: It Looks Sharp
The old Lexus RX looked a little bit weird. It had too many sharp lines. The new 2026 model looks much better. It is smoother but still looks strong.
The front grill is interesting. It fades into the body color at the top. Some people like it, some people hate it. I think it looks modern. The headlights are sharp and have the “L” shape light inside them. It looks very expensive at night.
From the side, it looks long and low. The back part of the roof looks like it is floating. This is a classic Lexus design trick. The wheels are big. Most models come with 19-inch wheels, but the expensive ones have huge 21-inch wheels. They look great but they can make the ride a little bumpy.
At the back, there is a light bar that goes all the way across. It looks very cool when you unlock the car at night. It says “LEXUS” in big letters across the trunk. It does not have the “L” logo on the back anymore.
Interior: A Very Nice Place to Sit
When you open the door, you see why people buy this car. The interior is beautiful. Everything you touch feels soft and high quality. The seats are amazing. Lexus makes the best seats in the business. They are soft but supportive. You can drive for hours and your back will not hurt.
The dashboard is simple. There are not many buttons. Most things are on the big screen. The base model has a 9.8-inch screen. But most people will get the bigger 14-inch screen. It is huge! It looks like a tv in your dashboard. The colors are bright and the maps look great.
There is one thing I did not like. The steering wheel buttons are touch-sensitive. When you put your finger on them, it shows up on the heads-up display on the windshield. It is a little confusing at first. Sometimes I pressed the wrong button by mistake. I prefer normal buttons.
Space and Cargo
The front seats have lots of room. The back seats are also very good. I sat in the back and I had plenty of legroom. The floor is almost flat, so the person in the middle seat is not too uncomfortable.
The trunk is okay, but not the biggest. It has about 29.6 cubic feet of space. You can fit a week of groceries easily. But if you try to fit big boxes from Ikea, it might be tight. The floor of the trunk is a bit high because of the spare tire and hybrid batteries.
Also Read My Honest Review of the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla: A Rally Car You Can Drive to Walmart
Engines: Four Different Choices
This is where it gets a little complicated. Lexus sells the RX with four different engines.
- RX 350: This is the standard engine. It is a 2.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder. It has 275 horsepower. It uses an 8-speed automatic transmission. It is fast enough for most people.
- RX 350h: This is the hybrid. It has a 2.5-liter engine plus electric motors. It has 246 horsepower. It is slower than the gas model, but it gets amazing gas mileage. It uses a CVT transmission, which is very smooth.
- RX 450h+: This is the Plug-in Hybrid. You can plug it into a wall outlet. It can drive about 37 miles on just electricity. After that, it works like a normal hybrid. It has 304 horsepower and feels very strong.
- RX 500h: This is the fast one. It is called the “F SPORT Performance”. It uses the turbo engine plus electric motors. It has 366 horsepower! It is very fast and fun, but it is expensive.
Driving Impressions: Smooth as Butter
I drove the RX 350 Premium trim. This is the one most people will buy.
The first thing you notice is how quiet it is. Lexus uses special glass to block noise. You can barely hear the wind or the tires. It is like being in a library. It is very relaxing after a long day at work.
The suspension is soft. It soaks up bumps very well. If you hit a pothole, you hear a “thump” but you don’t feel it much. It is not a sports car. If you turn the steering wheel fast, the car leans a little bit. That is okay. This car is built for comfort, not for racing.
The engine power is good. When you step on the gas to pass a truck on the highway, the turbo kicks in and you move. The 8-speed transmission shifts smoothly. You almost don’t feel it shifting.
However, I also drove the F SPORT model with the big 21-inch wheels. It was a little stiffer. You could feel the bumps more. If you live in a place with bad roads, stick to the smaller wheels.
Technology and Safety
The tech in this car is very good. It has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This means your phone connects to the screen without a cable. It worked perfectly every time I got in the car.
The voice control is funny. You say “Hey Lexus” and the car listens. You can tell it to change the temperature or change the radio station. It works better than I expected.
Lexus is very safe. The 2026 RX comes with “Lexus Safety System+ 3.0”. That is a fancy name for a lot of safety features.
- Automatic Braking: If a car stops in front of you, the RX will stop itself.
- Lane Keep Assist: It helps you stay in your lane on the highway.
- Adaptive Cruise Control: It slows down when the car in front of you slows down.
One feature I loved is the “Digital Latch”. To open the door from the inside, you don’t pull a handle. You just push a button on the door handle. It feels very futuristic. It also has a safety feature. If a bicycle is coming up behind you, the door will not open. This prevents you from hitting a cyclist. That is very smart.
Gas Mileage: Hybrid is King
If you care about gas prices, you should get the hybrid.
- The normal RX 350 gets about 24 MPG combined. That is average for a luxury SUV.
- The RX 350h Hybrid gets about 36 MPG. That is amazing for a car this big!
- The RX 450h+ Plug-in is the best if you have a short commute. You might never use gas during the week.
I drove the gas model and I got about 22 MPG in the city. On the highway, I saw 28 MPG.
Trim Levels and Pricing
The 2026 Lexus RX has many trim levels. It can be confusing. Here is a simple breakdown.
- Standard: The base model. It has fake leather (NuLuxe) and heated front seats. It is still very nice. Price starts around $52,000.
- Premium: This adds a sunroof, ventilated seats (keeps your back cool), and parking sensors. This is the best value. Price is around $54,000.
- Premium+: This adds the big 14-inch screen and real leather seats. It also has nicer ambient lighting.
- Luxury: This has everything. Sem-aniline leather (very soft), heads-up display, and bigger wheels. Price is over $60,000.
- F SPORT Handling: This looks sporty and has special suspension.
- F SPORT Performance: Only for the RX 500h engine. Very fast and very expensive.
Pros and Cons Summary
Pros:
- Ride quality is super smooth and comfortable.
- Interior materials are top notch.
- Hybrid models save a lot of gas money.
- Very high resale value.
- Safety features are standard.
Cons:
- Steering wheel touch buttons are annoying.
- Cargo space is smaller than some rivals like the BMW X5.
- Driver attention monitor beeps at you too much.
- F Sport ride can be a bit harsh.
Final Verdict
So, is the 2026 Lexus RX worth it?
Yes.
If you want a car that is exciting and loud, go buy a BMW or a Porsche. The Lexus RX is not about excitement. It is about peace.
It is the car you drive when you want to forget about the traffic. It is quiet, soft, and easy to drive. It isolates you from the outside world. The new tech updates for 2026 make it even better. The wireless charger is a small thing, but it is nice to have.
The hybrid RX 350h is the one I would buy. It costs a little more than the base model, but the gas savings are worth it. Plus, it is smoother in city traffic.
Lexus knows exactly what their customers want. They want luxury without the headache. And the 2026 RX delivers that perfectly. It is not the fastest SUV, but it is probably the easiest one to live with.
If you are looking for a family car that feels like a spa on wheels, go test drive the Lexus RX. You won’t be dissapointed.
