What Is the Best Lexus SUV?
The Lexus RX 350 may be the best overall with its fuel-efficiency and safety ratings, but there are other SUVs to consider if you’re buying used.
Written by Melanie Johnson
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Table of Contents
- The best Lexus SUV overall: Lexus RX 350
- The best Lexus SUV to buy used: 2018 Lexus RX 350
- The best Lexus SUV for families: Lexus LX 600
- The best Lexus SUV for off-roading: Lexus GX 460
- The best Lexus SUV for fuel economy: Lexus UX 250h
- The best way to shop for Lexus insurance
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With its fuel efficiency, safety ratings, and convenience features, the Lexus RX 350 is the best overall Lexus SUV to purchase.
The Lexus brand has an impressive lineup of SUVs. Whether you’re shopping for a family mobile, a fuel-efficient ride, or simply something with a little extra space, chances are that Lexus has what you’re looking for.
Jerry
—the car insurance
comparison shopper and licensed broker—has the lowdown on the best Lexus SUVs to purchase. We’ll discuss the best Lexus SUV overall and then break down the best model to buy used, for families, for off-roading, and to save a little extra money at the pump. We'll even help you save on your Lexus RX 350 car insurance costs
.The best Lexus SUV overall: Lexus RX 350
Starting price: $46,995
Number of seats: 5-7
J.D. Power rating: 83
The Lexus RX 350 is a crowd-pleaser. Its received stellar reviews from Consumer Reports for nearly two decades—and for good reason: it’s the best Lexus SUV to buy overall.
What makes the RX 350 so great? For one thing, it’s fuel-efficient. While it doesn’t appear so on paper (its EPA rating is 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway), in the real world it outperforms this rating and gets more like 31 mpg highway. There’s also a hybrid powertrain available that gets 28 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
It’s also a great family car: there are two sets of LATCH connectors in the rear seats as well as a tether anchor for the rear middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave this LATCH system the highest rating of Good+, which indicates it’s easy to use.
And finally, it has excellent crash test ratings. The IIHS gave the 2022 RX 350 the highest rating of Good in all six crash tests. It also received the highest rating of Superior for its vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system.
Safe, secure, and saving you money at the pump? That’s the Lexus RX 350.
The best Lexus SUV to buy used: 2018 Lexus RX 350
Price range: $37,475 to $43,275
Number of seats: 5-7
J.D. Power rating: 85
Sure, the Lexus RX 350 is great, but that price tag of nearly $50,000? Not so great. If you’re looking to pay a little less, consider buying a Lexus SUV used. We would vote to buy the 2018 Lexus RX 350.
You’ll save at least a few thousand dollars (you could save much more) and still take advantage of Lexus’ high reliability ratings. Consumer Reports gives the 2018 model predicted reliability and consumer satisfaction scores of 4/5.
The 2018 model has safety and performance advantages over other Lexus models. Every 2018 Lexus RX 350 received five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA), except for the front-wheel-drive model. The 2018 Lexus is also able to tow more than its predecessors—up to a whopping 3,500 lbs!
Not to mention, it’s critically acclaimed. It won the U.S. News’ 2018 “Best Luxury 2-Row SUV for the Money” award and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.
Excellent crash test ratings, top performance, and it’s more affordable? Don’t mind if we do.
MORE: Lexus RX 350 towing capacity
The best Lexus SUV for families: Lexus LX 600
Starting price: $88,245
Number of seats: 4-7
J.D. Power rating: 82 (2021)
If you’re looking to haul your fam around in something a little chicer than a mini-van (no offense to mini-van drivers, we love you), go for the Lexus LX 600.
The base trim, Standard, comes with room for five, while the Premium, Luxury, and F Sport Trims can seat up to seven. This SUV is roomy and comfortable—there are plenty of seat and power adjustments to ensure all-day relaxation—and comes packed with safety features.
Safety features include:
- Lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Emergency braking and pedestrian-and-bicyclist detection
If you’re really looking to splash out, the LX 600 Ultra Luxury model comes with heated, reclining, and massaging seats, a work table, and a power-adjustable footrest. Keep in mind that this luxury trim only seats four—and has an MSRP of $126,000.
The best Lexus SUV for off-roading: Lexus GX 460
Starting price: $57,200
Number of seats: 7
J.D. Power rating: 80
If you’re an adventurer hoping to take your SUV off the road, Lexus has something for you, too!
Go for the
Lexus GX 460
, which has a 4.6-liter V8 engine, adjustable suspension system, and comes equipped with safety and convenience features galore.The terrain-topping SUV sits on 18-inch wheels, comes with all-wheel drive, and has Lexus’ Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, which boosts traction to help the GX 460 handle tough terrain. The SUV has a maximum ground clearance of 8.1 inches, which is suitable for light to moderate off-roading adventures but won’t be able to handle heavy-duty off-roading. It can, however, tow like a trail-blazing titan. The GX 460 has an epic 6,500-lb maximum towing capacity. Want to tow your personal watercraft, small camper, or trailer? It’s all possible with the GX 460.
MORE: The best old-school off-road vehicles
The best Lexus SUV for fuel economy: Lexus UX 250h
Starting price: $36,825
Number of seats: 5
J.D. Power rating: 81
If you’re determined to go green, we’ve got you! The best Lexus for fuel economy is the
Lexus UX 250h
.This is the smallest and most affordable Lexus hybrid, but don’t let the lower price tag fool you! This little guy is packed with features including dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, and hands-free entry. But its most desirable quality is, you guessed it, its fuel economy. It has an EPA-estimated 39 mpg combined rating.
If you’re looking for an SUV with great safety ratings (NHTSA gave it an overall safety rating of four out of five stars), comfort and convenience features, and excellent fuel economy, go with the UX 250h. Your wallet (and the planet) will thank you!
The best way to shop for Lexus insurance
No matter what Lexus you purchase, you’ll want to insure your luxury vehicle with an insurance policy that can go the distance.
Enter
Jerry
. The car insurance comparison shopper and licensed broker app
that partners with over 50 of the nation’s top providers and compiles the best rates in less than a minute. All you have to do is pick the policy you want, and Jerry will handle the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request.It really is that simple. No long forms. No waiting around. Just savings. How much are we talking? The average Jerry customer saves over $800 per year on their car insurance!
“My policy covers two people and four cars: a truck, SUV, convertible, and muscle car.Jerryhelped me go from paying $308 a month to $125 a month with the same coverage. I’m loving the savings.” —Jocelyn A.
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