2022 Lexus RX 350L

The 2022 Lexus RX 350L is available in only one trim which comes with different packages. Major packages available are luxury package and Premium packages. The base Lexus RX 350L starting at $49,500 comes with a plethora of standard features such as 18-inch wheels, a power rear gate, Three-zone climate control, Power tilt-and-telescopic steering column, NuLuxe interior trim, nine-speaker sound system, HD radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio. 

In the safety department, Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 adds features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Adding the Premium or Luxury package further adds to the exclusiveness and the premium feel of the RX 350L with a host of exclusive customizable features. The luxury package is available with an FWD and an AWD drivetrain option and comes with the same powertrain unit and other mechanical components.

The luxury package costs $6,000 and adds Perforated semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior, Gray Sapele wood with Aluminum trim, LED ambient illumination and LED-illuminated door sills, 20-inch split-10-spoke alloy wheels with Super Chrome machined finish, Manual rear-door sunshades, Power moonroof, and aluminum roof rails, Heated wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel, and Heated and ventilated front seats and heated second-row outboard seats. The Premium package costs $1,580 and includes Driver-seat memory settings and interior wood trim. 

Which Trim should you buy?

The Base version is more than what you would require in a 2022 RX 350L's caliber. However, if you wanna increase your overall experience then say yes to Luxury Package.

2022 Lexus RX 350L Release date:

Lexus RX 350L is open for bookings.

While the other cars in the segment come with turbocharged powertrain units, the 2022 Lexus RX 350L comes with a 3.5 L naturally aspirated V6 engine unit. This provides you with a linear torque and power delivery as opposed to all of the torque being available at lower rpm which helps the RX 350L provide enough grunt and torque throughout the rev range without any lag or confusion. The engine produces 290 horsepower and 263 lb-ft. of torque making it one of the most powerful engine units in the segment.

The engine comes mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission unit that offers smooth and accurate gear changes without any confusion and the paddle shifters provide you with a manual shifting experience when you need it. The RX 350L comes in both FWD and AWD drivetrain options, and the AWD unit is the one to go for as it would get you out of any off-road terrains easily if you confront any. The RX 350L isn’t the quickest SUV in its class but it isn’t the slowest either. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds and can cover a quarter-mile distance from a standstill in 15.5 seconds. Its top speed is limited to 135 mph.

SUVs like the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 seem to be quicker than the RX 350L from 0-60 mph and are cheaper comparatively as well. But this may be due to the fact that the RX 350L is one of the heaviest SUVs in its class and hence despite having more power output, it seems slower than some of its rivals.

When equipped with AWD, the 2022 RX 350L offers a combined fuel economy of 21 MPG and offers 18 and 25 MPG in the city and highway driving conditions respectively. However, if FWD is chosen, all mpg figures will rise by one. It does get a decently large fuel tank with 19.2-gallons capacity but it is not enough to compete with few rivals. The RX 350L gives a combined range of.

All the rivals of the RX 350L are able to offer better fuel economy and range except the rival from Cadillac which returns the same fuel economy as the RX 350L. The Volvo XC90 tops the segment in fuel economy but has the smallest fuel tank. Meanwhile, the biggest fuel tank belongs to the opponent from the Audi which provides the highest combined range in the competition.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350L has some of the most premium and high-quality interior design layouts and materials inside the cabin. The interior layout has a signature Lexus touch to it with the distinctive steering wheel design, the use of wood as trim inserts, and the leather upholstery. The dashboard layout is ergonomically designed for the driver’s ease of use. The culmination of metal and wood trim inserts along with simulated leather upholstery on the inside is a work of art and Lexus has managed to give attention to detail in a better way than some of the RX 350L’s rivals. The front bucket seats come with an 8-way power-adjustability and NuLuxe upholstery as standard which can be upgraded to Semi-aniline leather upholstery. A heated leather-trimmed steering wheel is optional. 

The RX 350L offers the best in class front row space as well as interior features and creature comforts that include a heated leather steering wheel and armrest with concealed storage bin. The second-row reclining seats come with a 40-20-40 split-bench configuration while the third row has a 50-50 split ratio. The third row doesn’t seem to have enough space for two adults and would rather fit two kids. You can also avail the optional captain chair for the second row. Dual-zone climate control comes with filtration whereas three-zone climate control does not have a filtration system. Auto-dimming rearview mirror, paddle shifters, and power tilt-and-telescopic steering column are some standard creature comforts. 

The RX 350L does have an adequate amount of space in its front row, but its second-row feels cramped and certainly offers less room than what most of its rivals have on offer, especially the legroom. The Cadillac XT6 has the most spacious cabin of all while it is the opposite for the concerned car of this article. The 2022 Lexus RX 350L also has the least trunk capacity against the rivals. Some of the standout interior features include:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control with filtration
• Semi-aniline Leather upholstery (optional)
• Dual-tone interior with optional metal and wood trim inserts
• Heated leather steering wheel (optional)
• Heated and ventilated front seats (optional)
• Power tilt and telescopic steering column
• Second-row captain’s chairs (optional)
• Rear armrest storage compartment (optional)

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The standard variant gets the Enform infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen which can be upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a navigation system under the navigation package which costs $2,285 and also adds Lexus Enform destination assist and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System. 

A 9-speaker premium audio system is standard but you can also opt for the Mark Levinson surround-sound system unit with 15 speakers. The RX 350L comes with a host of standard connectivity features that include SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa Compatibility, 6 USB ports, HD radio, and wifi. Some of the standout infotainment features include:

• 8-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Amazon Alexa Compatibility
• Remote Touchpad (optional)
• Lexus Enform dynamic navigation system (optional)
• Wireless charging (optional)
• Head-up display (optional)
• Mark Levinson surround sound system with 15 speakers (optional)
• 12.3-inch touchscreen (optional)

The 2022 Lexus RX 350L does seem to strike a debate between enthusiasts when it comes to its looks as it displays the Lexus’ design DNA throughout its exterior. Its exterior styling demands attention everywhere it goes with its signature Lexus style chrome grille and sharp LED headlamps and tail lamps. The body lines are sharp and aggressiv. 

The 18-in split-five-spoke alloy wheels and tall stance of the Lexus RX 350L make it look sporty and the concealed exhaust along a finely crafted rear door makes it look more exquisite. Power-folding, auto-dimming outside mirrors, Rain-sensing windshield wipers, Aluminum roof rails, and Power rear door are some standard exterior features. That said, Power Rear Door with Kick Sensor, Power moonroof, and LED foglamps and cornering lamps are optional features. 

The RX 350 has the smallest wheelbase in the segment which does make it agile and provides maneuverability easy in tight spaces, but the interior space and cargo capacity becomes comparatively lesser. As for the rivals, the biggest wheelbase is offered on the Audi Q7. The Cadillac XT6 has the least ground clearance whereas the opponent from Volvo has the highest one. Some of the standard exterior features include:

• 18-in split-five-spoke alloy wheels
• 20-in split-10-spoke alloy wheels (optional)
• Premium Triple-Beam LED head lamps (optional)
• Windshield wiper de-icer (optional)
• Power moonroof (optional)
• Power rear door
• Aluminum roof rails

The 2022 Lexus RX 350L hasn’t been rated by agencies like the NHTSA or IIHS for safety yet, but the 2021 version has received an overall safety rating of 4 stars from the NHTSA. The IIHS has given ‘Good’ ratings to the 2021 Lexus RX in all crash tests. One of the pros of owning a Lexus RX 350L is the fact that it comes with a plethora of safety features as standard. Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 is a standard safety suite that includes lane tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with steering assist, road sign assist, and blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. Some of the notable safety features include:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Intelligent high beams
• Lane tracing assist
• Road sign assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Panoramic view monitor (optional)
• Intuitive parking assist with auto braking (optional)
• Rear cross-traffic braking (optional)

2022 Lexus RX 350L vs. 2021 Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum

The Lexus RX 350L has a higher engine output than the Volvo XC90 but in terms of acceleration, XC90 has the edge. RX 350 is also thirty for fuel whereas its counterpart has the leading fuel efficiency. The first and second-row are roomier in the RX 350L but the row is spacious in the XC90. RX 350L has a slightly bigger fuel tank but XC90 tried to overcome this disadvantage with better cargo space. 

2022 Lexus RX 350L vs. 2021 Audi Q7 Premium 45 Quattro

On the highway, RX 350L consumes less fuel as compared to the Audi Q7 but when both cars are in the city, Audi Q7 holds a slight edge. The story does not end here, not only does Audi Q7 have a larger fuel tank capacity but also a more spacious cabin as compared to the Audi Q7. With a clear advantage in nearly all aspects, RX 350L fails to pull odds in its favor. 

2022 Lexus RX 350L vs. 2021 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury

The Cadillac XT6 has the edge when it comes to performance and cargo capacity. Both cars share the same fuel economy figures but XT6 has a better range as compared to the RX 350L. That said, the 2022 Lexus RX 350L has a crampy cabin and shorter wheelbase than the Cadillac XT6 but offers better ground clearance. 

If you are looking for a fun, premium, and reliable SUV with the striking exterior styling, then the new Lexus RX 350L might be the right fit for you provided you want to save a few thousand bucks. But the Lexus’ major drawbacks seem to be fuel economy, interior room, and cargo capacity which are removed in the rivals that come at the higher price tag. Therefore, the Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury is the best alternative you can go for.