Search

Lexus RX road tests and consumer car reviews

Lexus RX

4.5 stars - average customer rating
Read all 8 reviews
Have your say!
Recent responses | Recent questions | Recent answers
Contract hire and leasing prices

The Lexus RX is a Hybrid SUV built for performance, offering 269bhp of fluid power and achieving 34.9mpg. Low emissions also mean lower tax costs. With its athletic build and streamlined shape the RX is a car to turn heads and prove that you can have efficiency without compromising performance.

Lexus RX consumer reviews by year of make:   2005  2006  2009 

Road tests

Lexus RX

450h SE-L Premium - If ever a car tried to be all things to all men (and women) then it’s the Lexus RX. Part family car, part exec cruiser, part estate and part 4x4 SUV, the new, much-modified RX450h is the third-generation RX and features second-generation full hybrid drive. On paper it’s got the lot, but is it almost [...]

Road Test Reports Says 4 star rating Full Report
An image of the Lexus RX 450h SE-L Premium
What Do You Say...?

Lexus RX consumer car reviews

Rick Harmon, Cheshire

Lexus RX 400h 2006

5 star review

Only owned this car for a couple of weeks so maybe I am a bit premature to comment but so far so good! I traded in a BMW 530d, an extremely powerful car, but its reliabilty had worn me down having spent over £6000 pounds on major repairs over 2 years. Also found it gave me back ache (long drives) and totally useless in snow and ice. I chose the Lexus because of comfort (wonderful) reliabilty from excellent reviews worldwide, however like all posts the fuel consumption isn’t brilliant having to fill up at 380 miles usage but the fuel tank at 65litres is very small for a large vehicle. There is no indicator letting you know how far you have left until you need to refuel but I have realised that there is usually 7-8litres left which is around 50 miles. I did push it running on red for 30 miles but not knowing the car enough got very nervous getting to the next garage! It is extremely comfortable front and back, the sat nav took a bit of getting used to but is very good as also the reversing camera but I would still like the sensors aswell. I think I well maybe a Lexus convert having owned German cars for many years, so all-in-all I am thrilled with my RX.

Submitted: 11/12/2010 22:18:31 | ID: 6640

Respond to this review | Have your say

Gerry McLucas, Yorkshire

Lexus RX RX450 SE-L Premier 2009

3 star review

We took delivery of our new RX450 SE-L Premier at the end of January 2010. Having carefully selected the model, we are deeply disappointed with the fuel return obtained from the vehicle. When choosing the vehicle we were influenced by the published fuel return figures of a combined return of 44.8 mpg. Unfortunately and despite every effort to drive as smooth as possible and use economy mode (which slows the vehicle take off speed dramatically), we are only achieving a maximum of 33mpg on long-haul "M1 motorway" runs and 30mpg local use. The vehicle has been back to the dealer for checking but they advise that they are aware of some problems on fuel return against published figures and they think Lexus are about to introduce driver skills to help assist on fuel return. The need to learn new driving skills is not mentioned in the advertising package! When discussing the matter with Lexus direct through the "contact us" web link, a return phone call ended with the suggestion that if I am not happy, we should advise the dealer who we purchased the vehicle from that we reject the vehicle. Although the dealer is most courteous and sympathetic, this is not a good start to owning a new car. I am now deciding whether to put-up with the poor fuel return or reject the vehicle and face what we feel will be a fight.

Submitted: 25/02/2010 21:13:54 | ID: 4707

Respond to this review | Have your say

Howard Mansfield, Berkshire

Lexus RX 450h 2009

3 star review

In the main I am very pleased with this car. The laser guided cruise control is simply awesome and I use it all the time. The USB ports for the iphone are in a place that is difficult to access. Not sure why they have done this. The seats in the 450h are much better than the 400h that I had previously. DAB is a real winner as is the USB when you can find it. The ride for me is much better than the 400h and the steering is much more responsive. (I found the 400h steering to be sluggish). I have two issues with this car. The MPG figures are simply lies. If you get 33mpg you are doing very well. Any notion of 40+ mpg is Mary Poppins. The RX450h article states that careful driving will yield 50mpg. Please do not believe this. I do long journeys and dont get 33mpg. I rarely go above 80mph. So please be very careful when believing these mileage figures. At time of writing this article the Sat Nav is returning some illogical routes. I have taken this matter to Lexus GB and they are looking into the matter, albeit very slowly. If you want good sat nav functionality then dont buy a Lexus. Get a lesser car and buy a tom tom or garmin sat nav. Their functionality and ease of use leaves the lexus for dead. If you want a luxury car in the shape of an SUV, and want to pay a small amount for road tax, but don’t care for Sat Nav, then I recommend this car. If you think you are going to get 35+ mpg from a 3.5 litre V6 engine then you are living in cloud cuckoo land. I accept that this car has two large electric motors but they are used more for power enhancement than only running on electric power. Finally, if you want to buy Lexus due to the fact that it is JD Power number 1 for customer satisfaction then again I would urge caution. This is my second Lexus and I am yet to witness any pursuit for perfection in terms of customer service. I have purchased from two main franchises and both have shown no regard for me as a customer once the sale is made. Lexus as the parent company have shown little more regard. So if customer service is not a big issue then I recommend this car.

Submitted: 21/01/2010 22:09:16 | ID: 4399

Respond to this review | Have your say

Iain Maclaren, Dumbartonshire

Lexus RX 400H 2006

5 star review

Owned since new, this is my second Lexus RX. My first, the 350 petrol, was bought second hand and was reliable, albeit with some problems with the air suspension which were fixed under warranty. The driving experience with the 400h is much better, although it is heavier, the centre of gravity is lower and the seamless auto box much more controllable. No problems at all with the 400h after 1.5 years - spacious, refined, well equipped, solidly built, good looking, economical (29-35mpg - not quite as good as manufacturer’s claim), deceptively fast, friendly efficient dealer (just as well since there’s limited choice).

Submitted: 16/01/2009 14:56:13 | ID: 2388

Respond to this review | Have your say

Alan Glibbery, England

Lexus RX RX 300 sel 2005

5 star review

I have just replaced my wife’s ML 270 Mercedes with the RX300 and I must say that it is in another class. The car was bought second hand with 23,000 miles on the clock. The levels of comfort and attention to detail put most other 4x4s to shame. I am a Lexus fan already with two previous LS 400s both of which gave impeccable service both reaching around 100,000 miles before I sold them. I would recommend the RX to anyone looking for a well thought out and driver friendly 4x4.

Submitted: 12/11/2008 10:09:03 | ID: 2145

Respond to this review | Have your say

Ros Dar, England

Lexus RX RX400h SE 2005

5 star review

Superb vehicle all round. Very reliable and comfortable long distance. Complicated/different from non-electric cars so basic things like brake fluid flush cannot be done in the usual manual way - need to go to a garage. Oil changes - standard. Nothing ever breaks on this car so apart from service items nothing spent so far. Some minor dash squeaks fixed under warranty about a year ago. All in all, my first but will not be my last Lexus. I wish Lexus would brand the Land Cruiser here as they do in the US and take it up a level in luxury.

Submitted: 12/11/2008 09:25:30 | ID: 2138

Respond to this review | Have your say

Abdulrhman Alsughayr, England

Lexus RX 2005

4 star review

The car is good, almost every thing RX330 is OK, the only concern is that the warranty of important parts in the car is only for 3 years. This really is a shame for a car that carries the Lexus name and quality level (other less quality cars e.g. Hyundai have a warranty of at least 4 years!)

Submitted: 30/07/2008 13:50:02 | ID: 1720

Respond to this review | Have your say

Richard Warner, Shropshire

Lexus RX 300 SE 5dr

5 star review

I personally feel the RX is a cut above other 4x4’s out there. Exceptionally roomy and comfortable and very enjoyable to drive. I admit I was a Lexus fan before owning this one and I can’t see that changing any time soon. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a 4x4 with a bit of class.

Submitted: 26/09/2007 10:19:02 | ID: 229

Respond to this review | Have your say

  Available on the App Store

Read real opinions: Thousands of consumer reviews on all major car and van models.
Make your voice heard: Submit your own consumer review about the car or van you drive.
Learn more

 Road Test Reports App screenshots

Submit your own review

Lease Buy

* Required

^ Back to Top

How does it compare?

Nissan X-Trail

3 stars - average customer rating
Average driver rating ( based on 55 reviews )

Ford Ranger

3 stars - average customer rating
Average driver rating ( based on 52 reviews )


Mitsubishi Shogun

3 stars - average customer rating
Average driver rating ( based on 51 reviews )

Vauxhall Antara

2.5 stars - average customer rating
Average driver rating ( based on 44 reviews )


Honda CR-V

3.5 stars - average customer rating
Average driver rating ( based on 40 reviews )

Nissan Pathfinder

3 stars - average customer rating
Average driver rating ( based on 35 reviews )


Volvo XC90

3 stars - average customer rating
Average driver rating ( based on 34 reviews )

Hyundai Terracan

4.5 stars - average customer rating
Average driver rating ( based on 32 reviews )


Land Rover Freelander

3.5 stars - average customer rating
Average driver rating ( based on 24 reviews )

Mitsubishi Shogun Sport

4 stars - average customer rating
Average driver rating ( based on 20 reviews )


More Lexus road tests

Latest 4x4s road tests