Lexus RX 350L Review
vs Seven-a-Side

Lexus took their RX and bolted on an extra row of seats in the rear… Actually… no. The ‘L’ in the in the RX 350 L means that it really is a longer car.

When we do say longer, the addition to length is from behind the rear wheels. Both the standard RX and the “L model” share the same wheelbase. Not only does it help with rear occupancy, but from a cost perspective, an easier way to obtain more space from the same platform, since more parts, especially the rear doors can be shared.

Under the hood, the RX 350 L is powered by a natural-breathing East-West mounted 3.5 litre V6, and cog-swops with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Its maximum power is delivered in old-school linear style, to a maximum tune of 289bhp.

Within a short drive, you will easily notice that the RX’s all-wheel drive system is front-biased, especially around the bends, where understeer is predictable. Compared to the shorter five-seater RX, the longer car also delivers a drive with a little more bounce from the rear end. Like the 5-seater, we also noticed a characteristic mild intruding vibration from the engine, under mid to heavy acceleration on the accelerator pedal.

But overall, the RX delivers a comfortable drive, and it comes across as unapologetic about its slightly longer suspension travel. That said, the large SUV does not come across as overly wobbly.

Like other cars in the Lexus range, the RX boasts 10 SRS Airbags. Other driver safety devices include the all-important Blind Spot Monitor, which also features Rear Cross Traffic Alert for easier and safer backing out.