2017 Lexus RX: Best Luxury 2-Row SUV for the Money

2017 Lexus RX Is U.S. News & World Report’s Best Luxury 2-Row SUV for the Money

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, the U.S. News Best Car for the Money awards are a great place to start. These annual awards use industry data and experts’ opinions to establish which vehicles have the best combination of quality and value.

Even better, Best Car for the Money is awarded in nearly every category of passenger vehicle – 20 in all – so consumers can find a practical and reliable vehicle on any budget.

Read the following slides to find out why we selected the Lexus RX 350 as our Best Car for the Money winner in the luxury 2-row SUV category.

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Why the 2017 Lexus RX Won: Quality

The 2017 Lexus RX earns our 2017 Best Car for the Money award, in part, because it impresses critics with its comfortable, value-oriented approach to luxury, and automotive industry data supports reviewers’ opinions that it’s a high-quality vehicle. High safety scores make it a smart choice for a new family vehicle, and the RX’s thoughtful and spacious interior helps ensure that every occupant is comfortable. 

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Why the 2017 Lexus RX Won: Value

The 2017 Lexus RX is a great example of how a vehicle can make a name for itself by providing value-oriented luxury. This 2-row midsize SUV has a lower base price than many of the other models in its class, yet it comes with a lot more standard equipment than most buyers would expect.

We also considered the RX's five-year total cost of ownership as a factor in its overall value. According to industry data provided by Vincentric, LLC, the Lexus RX is a smart choice for buyers looking to keep costs low.

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Performance: Acceleration

Unlike many competitors in the luxury midsize SUV class, the 2017 Lexus RX comes with just one engine, a 295-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Lexus makes no pretense of the RX being a performance vehicle, and many of the other models in this category offer more powerful engines.

However, critics appreciate the RX’s performance nonetheless. They say the RX has plenty of acceleration for highway driving and like the smoothness of the transmission. 

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Performance: Handling

Handling is another area in which it’s made clear that the Lexus RX prioritizes comfort over performance. That said, critics say it handles reasonably well and provides a smooth ride.

Buyers who are interested in optimizing the RX’s handling do have options. The RX is offered with an adaptive variable suspension with drive modes for different road conditions, and the F Sport performance trim level features more athletic suspension and steering tuning. The RX comes standard with front-wheel drive, and an upgrade to all-wheel drive is available. 

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Interior: Space and Comfort

This SUV seats five passengers, and critics say the accommodations are very comfortable, with plenty of room in both rows. Leatherette upholstery is provided, and leather is available as an option.

The RX also comes standard with power front seats and sliding and reclining rear seats. The RX provides 18.4 cubic feet for cargo behind the rear row, and 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This is one of the smallest cargo areas in the category, although a standard power liftgate and optional hands-free liftgate help make the space more useful.

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Interior: Features and Technology

The Lexus RX comes with lots of standard equipment, including satellite radio with real-time traffic information, a nine-speaker sound system, a rearview camera, a proximity key, an infotainment system with an 8-inch display, and the Lexus Safety System suite of driver assistance technology.

Options include a panoramic moonroof, a multi-angle camera, navigation, a dual-screen DVD system, upgraded audio systems, and smartphone integration (though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available). Reviewers caution that, though the RX’s standard infotainment system is user-friendly, the optional infotainment system features an annoying joystick-style control.

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Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates has not yet provided projected reliability data for the 2017 Lexus RX, but we can still gain some insight from the 2016 model, which earned 4.5 out of a possible 5 points. Since the 2016 and 2017 models are mechanically similar, the 2017’s score, when available, should also be high.

Lexus backs the 2017 RX 350 with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

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Safety: Crash Tests

The 2017 Lexus RX earns a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with Good results in every test. However, the Lexus RX has not completed all tests administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The RX earned five stars for Side Crash and four stars for Rollover, with no scores given in Frontal Crash and Overall.

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Safety: Features

The Lexus RX already had a strong reputation for safety, but it’s even better this year.

For 2017, the Lexus Safety System has been added to the list of the SUV’s standard features. That means every Lexus RX now includes sought-after safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, lane keep assist, and pedestrian detection. A rearview camera comes with the RX, too.

Additional safety features, such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic braking, and a multi-angle camera, are optional.

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Other Cars to Consider

Shoppers in the market for a luxury midsize SUV have a lot of options. The stylish 2017 Audi Q7 offers many of the same benefits as the Lexus RX, as well as seating for seven passengers, one of the most powerful engines in the class, and fantastic handling.

Another smart choice is the 2017 Volvo XC90, particularly for buyers who are willing to spend a little more for high-quality and easy-to-use tech features. The XC90 also offers a variety of engines, including a plug-in hybrid option. It was a runner up for the Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for the Money award.

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The best way to save money on these award winners is to use U.S. News & World Report's Best Price Program. It can save you thousands off MSRP by helping you find the dealer in your area with the best price. You can save even more money by checking our new car financing deals and lease deals pages for manufacturer incentives.