Best Car Reviews - 2015 Lexus RX 350 AWD

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Introduction

The 2015 Lexus RX 350 AWD is a five-seat luxury crossover designed for buyers who value comfort, proven V6 power, all-weather traction and a polished ownership experience. As the final year of its generation, it combines conservative luxury styling with a 3.5-litre V6 and a six-speed automatic transmission. It stands out for its exceptionally quiet ride, roomy cabin and strong reputation for long-term dependability.

Design and Exterior Features

The RX 350 has a rounded, elegant SUV profile rather than the sharply angular look adopted by later Lexus models. At approximately 187.8 inches long, it is easy to place in city traffic while offering a substantial road presence. The 2015 model largely carried forward the facelifted third-generation design, with the prominent Lexus spindle grille, swept-back lamps and sculpted rear quarter panels giving it a more modern appearance than earlier versions.

Signature Lexus spindle grille and LED daytime running lights.
Standard 18-inch alloy wheels; 19-inch wheels were available.
Available HID or LED headlamps, LED fog lamps and rain-sensing wipers.
Power liftgate and available roof rails improve everyday practicality.

Interior and Comfort

The cabin is one of the RX 350 AWD’s strongest qualities. Its dashboard design is calm and well assembled, with soft-touch surfaces, available leather trim, tasteful wood accents and solid switchgear. Wide-opening doors, a relatively low step-in height and supportive front seats make it particularly suitable for families and older passengers. Rear-seat legroom is generous, while the 40/20/40-split rear bench allows useful flexibility for passengers and cargo.

10-way power front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Available perforated leather, heated and ventilated front seats and memory settings.
Approximately 40 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.
Quiet cabin with effective sound insulation for relaxed motorway travel.

Performance and Handling

The standard AWD RX 350 uses a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre DOHC V6 producing 270 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It uses regular gasoline and delivers smooth, predictable acceleration rather than sporty urgency. Active Torque Control AWD can direct torque from front-wheel-drive operation to as much as a 50:50 front-to-rear split when traction requires it. EPA figures for the six-speed AWD model are 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, equivalent to about 13.1 L/100 km city and 9.8 L/100 km highway; combined consumption is about 11.8 L/100 km. The supplied 14.8755 L/100 km figure may reflect real-world, cold-weather or short-trip use rather than the official combined rating.

3.5-litre V6 with 270 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque.
Six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capability.
AWD traction support for wet, snowy and low-grip roads.
Comfort-focused suspension and stable motorway manners.

Technology and Connectivity

For 2015, Lexus made Display Audio with a seven-inch screen and backup camera standard across the RX range. The system provides Bluetooth audio streaming, USB/iPod connectivity and satellite-radio capability. Available upgrades included navigation with the Remote Touch controller, a head-up display, a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system and a rear-seat entertainment system with two seven-inch screens. The technology is less intuitive than modern touchscreen systems, but it remains comprehensive for its era.

Standard seven-inch Display Audio system and backup camera.
Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming.
Available navigation, head-up display and Mark Levinson audio.
Available rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones.

Safety Features

The 2015 RX 350 AWD includes 10 airbags, anti-lock brakes, brake assist, stability control, traction control, hill-start assist and Smart Stop Technology. Available equipment included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and a Pre-Collision System with braking. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2015 RX Good ratings in moderate-overlap front, side, roof-strength and head-restraint evaluations. Its optional front crash-prevention system earned an Advanced rating from IIHS.

10 standard airbags, including front knee and rear side airbags.
Standard stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes.
Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
IIHS Good ratings for key crashworthiness tests.

Pricing and Variants

The 2015 RX 350 AWD had a starting MSRP of approximately $42,195 in the United States before destination charges and options. The RX lineup included the front-wheel-drive RX 350, RX 350 AWD, AWD-only RX 350 F SPORT, and the more fuel-efficient RX 450h hybrid. Main competitors included the Acura MDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Infiniti QX60 and Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class. The Lexus was usually less athletic than German rivals but more focused on ride comfort, interior serenity and reliability.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Refined and durable 3.5-litre V6 engine.
Comfortable ride and impressively quiet cabin.
Strong standard safety equipment and good IIHS results.
Useful rear-seat space and versatile cargo area.
Generally strong long-term reliability reputation.

Cons

Fuel economy is modest by modern luxury-SUV standards.
Handling is secure but not especially engaging.
Remote Touch controller can be distracting to use.
Infotainment and smartphone integration feel dated.
Premium-brand parts, tyres and repairs can be costly.

Maintenance and Common Issues

RepairPal estimates average annual repair and maintenance costs for a 2015 RX 350 at about $633, although actual costs depend heavily on mileage, service history, location and repair choices. Common owner-reported areas to inspect include timing-cover oil seepage, water-pump coolant leaks, VVT-i oil-line leaks, ageing air-conditioning components, and power liftgate or other body-hardware faults. A pre-purchase inspection should also confirm that all recall work has been completed and that the vehicle has a consistent maintenance record.

Rating

Overall rating: 8.4/10. Design: 8.0/10. Comfort: 9.0/10. Performance: 7.8/10. Technology: 7.2/10. Safety: 8.8/10. The RX 350 AWD is not the most modern or sporting option in its class, but it remains a highly appealing used luxury SUV because it prioritizes everyday comfort and dependable ownership.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly centres on the RX 350’s smooth power delivery, easy entry and exit, quiet cabin and confidence in poor weather. Many owners appreciate its durability and practical size, while criticism usually focuses on fuel use, older infotainment controls and expensive age-related repairs when they arise.

Owners often praise the smooth V6 and relaxed cruising character.
The ride quality and low interior noise are frequent highlights.
Many appreciate the AWD system during winter driving.
Owners commonly recommend regular inspection for oil and coolant leaks on higher-mileage examples.
Some find the Remote Touch interface less convenient than a touchscreen.

Best Cars in This Category

2015 Acura MDX SH-AWD
2015 Audi Q5 3.0T quattro
2015 BMW X3 xDrive35i
2015 Infiniti QX60 AWD
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC

Summary

The 2015 Lexus RX 350 AWD is best suited to buyers seeking a comfortable, refined and well-established luxury SUV rather than a sharp-handling performance model. Its V6 engine, all-weather capability, spacious cabin and strong safety record make it an appealing family vehicle. A carefully inspected example with documented maintenance can offer excellent value, especially for drivers who prioritize comfort, reliability and premium everyday usability over the newest infotainment technology.