3 Best and 2 Worst Years for the Lexus RX350

Good and Bad

The Lexus RX has long been one of the most popular luxury crossovers on the market, and for good reason. After all, it combines Lexus' tremendous reputation for quality and reliability with its perchance for luxury and attention to detail, all in a reasonably priced package. However, as is the case with any vehicle, the RX350 - specifically - has plenty of pros and cons, which prompted Four Wheel Trends to take a deeper dive into the best and worst years for that particular model recently. 

Photos: Lexus

Best: 2011

The third-generation RX debuted in 2008, ushering in an entirely new look for the luxurious crossover. Aside from its more modern styling, the third-gen RX also touted far more in terms of tech and safety features than the outgoing model but experienced a few teething issues at first. However, later third-gen models like the 2011 RX350 are a safer bet, as Lexus had apparently sorted everything out prior to the arrival of a refresh in 2012.

Photos: Lexus

Best: 2015

The same is true of the 2015 RX - it's the last model year for that aforementioned refresh, and as such, it's one that's been sorted quite well, as well as accompanied by more modern tech features and styling. It's also worth noting that the 2015 and up RX is far more capable at towing than its predecessors, offering up to 3,500 pounds of max capacity versus a mere 1,500. 

Photos: Lexus

Best: 2018

Regardless, the very best year for the RX350 is 2018, for a number of reasons. For starters, it was awarded a perfect five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, coupled with its rock-solid reliability, modern styling, and a bevy of modern features inside the cabin. Throw in the fact that the 2018 RX is a solid value on the used vehicle market, and it's clearly a great target for those wanting the most for their money in that regard. 

Photos: Lexus

Worst: 2007

On the flip side of the coin, there are a couple of model years for the RX350 that one may want to avoid, starting with 2007, which also just so happens to be its first year of production. The 2007 RX350 has a few known issues such as dashboards that tend to crack, engines that leak oil, and leaky steering systems, all of which can be pricey problems to rectify. 

Photos: Lexus

Worst: 2008

The same goes for the 2008 RX350, which also has issues with cracking dashes and leaky components, albeit not quite as prevalent. Owners also complained of poor fuel economy, to boot. However, this doesn't mean that one should completely avoid 2007 and 2008 RX350s, but at the very least, you'll want to perform some due diligence before plunking down the cash required to bring one home. 

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus RX right here at ClubLexus.com.

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