Lexus RX checks right boxes on midsize luxury SUV list

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- If you're in the market for a midsize luxury sport-utility vehicle that's an effortless driver, well-appointed inside and looks good just parked there in the driveway, you'd be hard-pressed to find something better than a Lexus RX 350.

Keep in mind that it's not that simple, but this vehicle does check a lot of boxes that motorists consider high priorities.

My tester was the enthusiastic 2021 Lexus RX 350 F Sport, and as the name suggests, this version gets sporty touches beyond the normal takeout menu.

F Sport features include 20-inch alloy wheels, special badging, LEG ambient illumination and more. Given all that, I was most taken with the exterior paint color: Grecian Water.

There's a name you can lord over the neighbors.

Oh, I also had the Black Line Special Edition, which netted me, among other things, an imposing, shiny black workup on the oversize front grille.

The sporty touches are backed up by a more-than-capable 3.5-liter V-6 with 295 horsepower.  The power plant is responsive and digs in with quiet determination on uphill runs.  On crowded city streets, the tester handled with the ease of a comfortable sedan.

Freeway cruises are silky smooth, with cabin quiet staying at a perfectly low level for five folks engaged in conversation.

I was particularly impressed with the long list of safety technology on the tester.  For the 2021 model year, the automaker's Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert systems are standard across all trims ... a nice little bonus.

Alas, working the infotainment system remained a challenge for yours truly.  I've never mastered the remote touchpad.  Just when I think that I've zeroed in on my favorite radio station, I arrive home to find that I actually ordered a meat lover's pizza.

Well, maybe not that crazy, but you get the idea.

Fuel mileage on the tester was an OK 20 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Getting back to my warning that all things are not simple, the bottom line on the tester's sticker was just a few hundred bucks short of $60,000.  That's pretty standard fare among luxury SUV offerings, but it is significant enough that any prospective RX 350 buyer should not only test drive it thoroughly, but take a hard look at the competition as well.

My guess is that most motorists opting for the purchase of an RX 350 will be pleased with their choice, for many years to come.