The Lexus RX lineup of midsize luxury crossover SUVs. has been a sales leader for over two decades. With its car-like handling, supple ride, spacious interior and renowned Lexus build quality and reliability, it’s easy to see why the RX remains a top choice for shoppers seeking a refined and comfortable daily driver.
The RX 350 comes well-equipped even in its base trim. Moving up through the Premium and Luxury trims adds more amenities and refinement. But is the top-shelf Luxury worth the extra cost over the mid-level Premium? Let’s take an in-depth look at what each trim has to offer.
| Feature | Premium | Luxury |
| Semi-aniline leather seats | No | Yes |
| Ventilated rear seats | No | Yes |
| Heated rear seats | No | Yes |
| Power rear sunshade | No | Yes |
| Manual rear door sunshades | No | Yes |
| Front seat massage | No | Yes |
| Mark Levinson 15-speaker audio | No | Yes |
| Touchscreen infotainment control | No | Yes |
| Surround view camera | No | Yes |
| Intuitive park assist | No | Yes |
The 2023 Lexus RX 350 is available in three main trim levels:
There is also the RX 350 F SPORT which features unique styling and a sport-tuned suspension. The Ultra Luxury trim essentially builds upon the standard Luxury with additional high-end features.
The RX 350 comes standard with a 3.5L V6 engine producing 295 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional on all trims.
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Stepping up from the base model to the Premium trim brings several worthwhile upgrades:
The Premium also includes a few tech upgrades:
In terms of safety, the Premium adds:
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Building upon the Premium’s impressive features, the Luxury trim aims at a more upscale and comfortable driving experience. Key additions include:
For the exterior, the Luxury trim adds auto-leveling headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
On the tech side, the Luxury brings intuitive touchscreen control for the infotainment system. The Mark Levinson audio system provides exceptional surround sound with 15 speakers.
Luxury buyers also get added peace of mind from the surround view parking camera system and intuitive park assist.
The Lexus RX 350 Premium offers an excellent blend of features, refinement and value. The lower price point compared to the Luxury makes its appeal easy to understand. You still get plenty of the comfort, tech, and safety that define the Lexus brand.
However, the Luxury trim takes things to another level. The addition of the semi-aniline leather seats, rear seat amenities, premium Mark Levinson audio and parking assist tech push the RX experience firmly into luxury territory.
If your budget allows, the added luxury and technology content of the RX 350 Luxury merit the higher cost. The upgrades bundle together seamlessly to create a more luxurious and feature-packed SUV.
That said, you can’t go wrong with the Premium. The head-turning style, composed ride and user-friendly tech of the RX shines through even in the Premium trim. You still get most of the important upgrades over the base model.
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The main differences are the Luxury trim adds semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated/ventilated rear seats, rear sunshades, front seat massage, upgraded Mark Levinson audio, touchscreen infotainment, and parking assist tech.
The trim levels are Base, Premium, Luxury, F SPORT, and Ultra Luxury. The Base is well-equipped while the Luxury focuses on extra luxury amenities.
The top-of-the-line trim is the Ultra Luxury which builds off the Luxury trim and adds more high-end details like a cool box and air purification system.
Lexus does not use the names “Premium Plus”, only Premium. The Premium trim adds features over base like a moonroof, navigation, leather seats, and parking sensors.
Also Read: Differences Between Subaru Forester Limited And Sport.
The Lexus RX 350 Premium and Luxury represent the heart of this luxury crossover’s lineup. The Premium hits the sweet spot for many buyers who want the upgraded features without going all-in on luxury.
For those wanting the ultimate RX experience, the Luxury trim brings the refinements and technology expected from a high-end Lexus SUV. You can’t go wrong with either trim, but analyzing your Must-have features and budget will determine if the Luxury is worth the extra cost over the well-rounded Premium model.
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