Skip advert
Advertisement

Lexus RX review (2016-2022) - Interior, design and technology

Looks great inside and out, and has loads of equipment on board

Interior, design and technology rating

4.0

How we review cars
RRP
£63,530 £85,040
Avg. savings
£5,191 off RRP*
Find your Lexus RX
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Lexus has made further updates to the RX’s exterior, with the car taking on similar  design cues to the new IS, NX and RC coupe,. The headlights are narrower and blended better with the bonnet, while the two air intakes either side of the vast (and tweaked) spindle grille are more pronounced. The exhaust pipe garnish has morphed seamlessly into the rear bumper, too. New ‘BladeScan’ LED headlights that are said to be significantly more reactive than earlier adaptive systems, are standard with F Sport and Takumi trims.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There are a range of aerodynamic upgrades compared to the old model, including a front under spoiler, a rear spoiler across the width of the tailgate and a diffuser beneath the rear bumper which reduces drag and increases stability. 

The larger exterior dimensions mean there's more headroom for those in the front and more legroom for rear-seat passengers, too. 

The RX L, with its longer and more upright rear end, is home to two additional seats, although they are small and probably best suited to children or short journeys for adult passengers. The rear cabin does include separate air conditioning controls. 

The interior feels well built and there are lots of high quality materials around the dashboard. Whether you'll like the old school ambience with its analogue clock and wood finish is a matter of taste, but the seats are comfortable and all the instruments are high quality.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

All models receive a 12.3-inch touchscreen that displays the car's infotainment system menus, music and sat-nav. This means you no longer have to deal with the old mouse-like controller, or the updated version’s (improved but still fiddly) supplementary trackpad. The sat-nav instructions could still be clearer, but the large screen looks slick.

There's also a large head-up display in front of the driver, which Lexus claims is the world's largest. This can display speed, directions, cruise control status, speed limits and even pre-crash safety warnings. It’s standard for Takumi variants and a cost option for the RX and F Sport.

All trim levels include a wireless phone charger in the centre console - this lets those with a compatible mobile keep it topped up without having to plug in a cable. If you do want to connect up to the infotainment system then there are USB and aux ports there too - and of course you can sync up with Bluetooth.

RX and F Sport versions include a 12-speaker Pioneer audio set-up, while those opting for the Takumi model will benefit from an upgraded 15-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound system.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    350h 2.5 Premium 5dr E-CVT
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £63,530
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    450h+ 2.5 Premium 5dr E-CVT
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £65,385
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    500h 2.4 Direct4 F-Sport 5dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £80,040
Select car

New & used car deals

Lexus RX

Lexus RX

RRP £62,140Avg. savings £5,191 off RRP*
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,540Avg. savings £3,974 off RRP*Used from £15,633
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,135Avg. savings £5,771 off RRP*Used from £13,571
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,155Avg. savings £1,844 off RRP*Used from £8,199
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027
Fiat Panda Cross - front static

The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027

Fiat will build a new city-sized Pandina based on the new 500 platform, bringing a proper, petrol powered A-segment city car to market as early as 202…
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it
Renault 5 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it

The reborn Renault 5 is one of the most feverishly anticipated cars in a long time, and at such a low price, our Deal of the Day for 8 February is a p…
News
8 Feb 2025