2011 Lexus RX 350

Lexus does not divide the RX350 into any trims for the 2011 model year as well and offers the RX 350 with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive option and no choices with respect to transmission and drivetrain. Most of the convenience and creature comforts have been baked right into the car and one does not really feel the need to opt for optional features if budget is a matter of concern. 

We Recommend

Since there are no trims to choose from, there is nothing for us to recommend. That being said, the optional packages are expensive in nature, and opting for those results in hiking up the prices considerably and therefore needs to be considered before purchasing. 

The 2011 RSX350 is powered by a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine which is rated to produce a healthy 275 hp and 257 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission which powers the front wheels as standard but is also available with an AWD setup. With the standard powertrain, the RX350 manages a 0-60 mph run in respectable 7.4 seconds while covering the quarter-mile in 15.6 seconds.

The RX350 is also rated to tow a maximum of 4,400 lbs which is one of the best in the segment. In terms of ride quality, the pliant suspension setup and the well-insulated cabin keeps the occupants away from the road noise and undulations very well. The suspension might be softly sprung but the body movement is very well controlled and although opting for the Sports package stiffens the suspension a bit, it still doesn’t feel very sporty to drive. 

Not only is the Acura RDX far more affordable than the Lexus, but it is also about half a second quicker off the line. That being said, it really struggles in terms of tugging power which is the biggest asset for the Buick Enclave. It too is much more affordable than the Lexus but in spite of the higher engine output, the larger dimensions limit its acceleration performance. The Lincoln MKX on the other hand is the quickest of the lot and is also priced similar to the Lexus. 

Considering the dimensions and performance output of the RX350, the V6 engine under the hood returns pretty decent fuel efficiency figures. The EPA has rated the 2011 RX 350 for 21 mpg of combined city and highway driving which is pretty much on par with the segment standards. The sizable 19.2-gallon fuel tank offers a decent driving range of around 400 miles on a single tank of gas. 

Both the Acura RDX and the Lincoln MKX have very identical fuel efficiency ratings as that of the Lexus but the RX 350 boasts of the largest gas tank which aids it in offering the best driving range here. That being said, despite the lower fuel economy ratings of the Buick Enclave, the massive fuel tank capacity that it employs translates to a driving range that is longer than all other SUVs in this segment. 

Though the RX350 is an entry-level luxury crossover, the premium materials, and state-of-the-art technology on offer make the RX350’s cabin feel a lot more upscale and plush. The genuine wooden interior trims and the premium leather upholstery offer a sense of opulence to the SUV. The front offers multitudes of adjustments to offer a perfect seating position for drivers of all sizes while the reclining and sliding rear seat maintains the high comfort levels at the back.

Both the front and rear seat occupants enjoy plenty of legroom, and although the headroom is pretty decent upfront, the sloping roofline limits the headroom for rear-seat passengers. In terms of luggage space, there is abundant space to load up a family’s luggage for the weekend rather comfortably in its 40 cu-ft of trunk space, which can be further doubled up to about 80 cu-ft if needed by folding down the rear seats. 

The Acura RDX offers a spacious rear seat with similar headroom as that of the Lexus, but the smaller dimensions of the SUV mean the space at the front and the rear luggage space is both very limited. Buick Enclave offers similar first and second-row space as that of the Acura but with better headroom and an additional third row of seats. Lincoln has the most spacious rear seat but a tight front seat and the luggage compartment is quite smaller than the RX 350. 

• 10-way power front bucket seats with power lumbar, adjustable headrests
• Reclining/sliding rear 40/20/40 split fold-down seat
• Cloth seat trim
• Leather-wrapped power tilt/telescoping steering wheel
• Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) multi-information display
• SmartAccess remote entry system
• Automatic dual-zone climate control w/rear air conditioning vents
• Wood interior trim w/metallic accents and chrome inside door handles
• HomeLink programmable garage door opener

How intuitive is the 2011 Lexus RX 350 SUV’s infotainment unit?

The available touchscreen system needs shelling out additional sums of money but with the haptic feedback on offer, it is pretty easy to use while driving and is one of the most intuitive sets available today. The Mark Levinson audio system is also one of the best in the business and a treat for audiophiles. Inclusion of Bluetooth and satellite radio as standard increases the functionality even further. 

• Optional Remote touch infotainment system
• AM/FM stereo w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
• 9-speaker Mark Levinson audio system
• Bluetooth audio streaming
• SiriusXM satellite radio w/90 free trial subscription

The RX350 employs sleek crossover proportions and plays it safe in terms of design which does not really stand out or demand much attention. The design has become even more conservative after the recent 2010 redesign with its slightly more blunt-nosed, high-shouldered look. The sloping roofline and window line at the back adds a bit to the appeal of the car while the LED brake lights look modern and classy. 

The Lexus RX350 and Lincoln MKX both are similar in length but the Lincoln is wider and also has a longer wheelbase and hence even weighs a bit more. The Acura RDX is the most compact one here and hence is the lightest while the Buick Enclave with its third row of seats is the longest and heaviest of the lot. It also offers the highest ground clearance while the Acura has a much lower and sporty stance. 

• Automatic headlamps w/delay-off feature and integrated front fog lamps
• LED brake lamps
• Heated power mirrors w/integrated turn signals
• Acoustic noise-reducing windshield glass
• Rear spoiler
• 18-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels

There can be never a doubt regarding the safety of a Lexus SUV and that can be justified with the highly-rated RX350 as well. The NHTSA has rated it with a 4-star overall rating while the IIHS has chosen it as the “Top Safety Pick” for the 2011 model year. There is a long list of active and passive safety features available with the 2011 RX350 and most of them are available as standard, a highlight of which is listed below. 

• Traction control and vehicle stability control (VSC) w/cutoff switch
• Dual front advanced airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) w/crash severity & occupant detection sensors
• Front seat-mounted side-impact and dual front knee airbags
• Front/rear side-curtain airbags w/roll sensor
• Dual front seat active headrests w/whiplash protection
• Safety connect System
• Collapsible steering column & brake pedal
• Tire pressure monitoring system

The Lexus RX 350 might turn out to be an expensive affair even before adding on the optional features but what it offers in return is an ultra-premium cabin that is spacious, comfortable, and loaded with features. The powertrain is frugal and potent, both in terms of acceleration and tugging prowess. Overall, the 2011 Lexus RX 350 can be considered the epitome of practical understated luxury, and that’s all one needs in most scenarios.