2011 Lexus RX 350 Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Lexus RX 350 review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 RX 350, and includes Lexus RX 350 safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

After a significant redesign in 2010, the Lexus RX 350 receives few changes for 2011. Lexus adds new Smart Stop technology that makes it virtually impossible to brake and accelerate at the same time, and two colors debut: Satin Cashmere Metallic and Stargazer Black.

The 2011 Lexus RX 350 comes with front- or all-wheel drive and includes a long list of standard features. Key among them are 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and front passenger, a sliding and reclining rear seat, genuine wood interior trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, Smart Access keyless entry and push-button ignition, and a premium audio system with a CD changer.

The options list is where you can customize your ride and many extra-cost features are grouped into five packages: Sport, Premium, Comfort, Luxury, and Navigation.

The Sport package adds 19-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system that ties traction and stability control systems together with the steering, brakes and throttle for maximum safety.

The Premium package includes additional leather trim throughout the interior, a power moonroof, memory for the driver’s seat and steering wheel settings, heated auto-dimming outside mirrors with memory, a power tailgate and USB audio input for iPod or compatible MP3 player.

The Comfort package offers heated and ventilated front seats, bi-Xenon headlamps, an adaptive front lighting system to help drivers see around corners at night, rain-sensing wipers and an upgraded 12-speaker audio system.

The Luxury package combines elements of the three previous packages with semi-aniline leather trim, power front seat cushion extenders, a wood/leather steering wheel and shift knob, a wide side-view monitoring system that helps with parking in close quarters, and LED-illuminated doorsills.

The Navigation package includes a hard disc drive navigation system with voice recognition, Lexus Enform telematics technology with destination assist and a free year of service, Lexus Insider, XM Navtraffic and Navweather service with a free 90-day trial subscription, a backup camera, and a remote touch controller on the center console. The Navigation package is also available with a rear seat entertainment system with dual rear screens, wireless headphones, audio and video input jacks, and a 120-volt power outlet.

Additional options include intuitive parking assist, a super-premium Mark Levinson surround sound audio system, Lexus Pre-Collision technology that automatically prepares the RX 350’s safety features for an imminent collision, a dynamic radar cruise control system, a heads up display, and even a glass breakage sensor to thwart thieves.

The 2011 Lexus RX 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 275 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard and buyers can opt for either all-wheel drive (AWD) or front-wheel drive (FWD).

The EPA predicts the Lexus RX 350 FWD will return 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the freeway for a combined average of 21 mpg. The AWD version loses one mile-per-gallon on the freeway, achieving 18/24 or a combined average of 20 mpg. Not surprisingly, that 20-mpg average is exactly what we achieved during our time behind the wheel. That’s better than average for its class.

The 2011 Lexus RX 350 comes standard with a wide range of safety features including no fewer than ten airbags. In addition to dual front airbags and side curtain airbags, the 2011 RX includes knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, and seat-mounted side airbags for the front and rear outboard passengers. Additionally, the RX is equipped with stability control, traction control, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist and brake override system, direct tire pressure monitoring at all four wheels, and a first aid kit.

In crash tests administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2011 RX 350 received 4 out of 5 Stars for the driver and passenger in the front-impact test, 5 Stars for the driver in the side-impact test, 4 Stars for rear passengers in a side-impact, 5 Stars in the side pole test, and 4 Stars for rollover resistance.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2011 RX 350 a Top Safety Pick because the crossover received the top score of Good in frontal-offset, side-, and rear-impact evaluations, as well as for the roof strength test.

Reliability ratings are positive. Consumer Reports predicts the 2011 Lexus RX 350 will perform above average in terms of reliability. J.D. Power and Associates predicts long-term dependability will be better than most crossovers in its class.

Smooth, comfortable and refined. These three words came to mind as we drove the 2011 Lexus RX 350. Our well-equipped test vehicle boasted nearly every option you could want in a family crossover. The Comfort package added driver and passenger heated and ventilated front seats plus rain-sensing wipers and more. The Luxury package boasted semi-aniline leather trim, wood and leather steering wheel and shift knob, and a wide-angle rearview camera. Our ears were delighted by the Mark Levinson Premium surround sound system that features an eight-disc DVD changer and 15 speakers. And when we lost our way on an unknown road, the navigation system with voice control was a reliable friend.

Add nearly $11,000 in options and destination fees to the base price and our test vehicle topped out above $50,000. Refined and comfortable, indeed. Expensive? Yes sir. But the average Lexus owner doesn’t seem to balk at the price because we see lots of RX 350s on Utah’s roads and throughout the Rocky Mountain area. We figure that’s because the combination of available all-wheel drive and luxury touches make this one tough luxury crossover for other vehicles to beat in a head-to-comparison.

We piloted the RX 350 onto a particularly twisty road to assess its sportiness and performance. You won’t mistake the RX 350 for a sports car. But acceleration and handling is quite acceptable for a luxury SUV. The Acura MDX boasts a few more horses under the hood, but we had no problem merging the RX with traffic or accelerating up hills. We had to hit the brakes hard on some tight turns as the Lexus leaned a bit, but it never felt out of control. In regular driving on the flat roads that most of us drive 90-percent of the time, the RX 350 was easy to maneuver and soaked up potholes easily.

The Lexus RX was the first luxury crossover SUV in its class when it was introduced in 1999. Twelve years later, the 2011 Lexus RX remains popular among today’s crossover buyers. Its designation as a Top Safety Pick creates peace of mind while better-than-average fuel economy ensures the RX 350 takes a relatively small piece of your paycheck each time you “fill ‘er up.” The proven dependability is also a real selling point.

Ultimately, this is a five-passenger vehicle that is tuned for comfort and utility in suburban settings. Other luxury crossovers like the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne may deliver a more engaging driving experience. But most drivers will be perfectly content with the performance and amenities of the RX 350, particularly if they’re already fans of the ride and comfort of Lexus luxury sedans.

By Alex Callister and Michael Waterman