Interested in a 2017 Lexus RX? You’ve picked an excellent make and model from a company known for high-quality, luxurious features. Now comes the fun part: deciding on the ideal trim to suit your needs. The Lexus RX comes in the 350, 350 F Sport, 450h, and 450h F Sport trims. To clarify which type of driver best suits each trim, here are the similarities and differences between each of these vehicles.
What You Can Expect From Every Lexus RX
A V6 3.5-liter/211 engine comes standard in all RX models, with the 450h and 450h F Sport featuring a hybrid gas/electric Atkinson-cycle version of that engine. All 2017 RXs come standard with 40/20/40-split rear seats and the Lexus Safety System+, which includes the following technologies:
l Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
l All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
l Lane Departure Alert With Steering Assist
l Lane Keep Assist
The two Sport trims come with some added features, such as Adaptive Variable Suspension and Sport S+ mode. These additions enhance the car’s handling and steering, giving drivers a smoother experience behind the wheel. Note that the F Sport models are only available in all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, with the RX 350 and 450h available in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or AWD.
These RXs also come equipped with 10 airbags and a slew of accessibility features, such as SmartAccess with push-button start/stop, Lexus Display Audio with Scout GPS Link, and a nine-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System. Beyond these safety and tech features, however, you’ll find some variety between these trims in terms of gas mileage, handling, and power.
Important Differences for Drivers
The 450h trims will give you a bit more horsepower (308 in the 450h trim compared to 209 in the 350). There’s also some difference in price, as the FWD versions of the 350 and 350 F Sport are cheaper than the AWD variations. Drivers who don’t need the added power of an AWD setup or can get by without the increased traction that the AWD affords can save a bit by selecting a FWD model (either the 350 or 350 F Sport).
If gas mileage is an important factor, consider one of the hybrid models. Both the 450h and 450h F Sport can get 31 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. The FWD models of the 350 and 350 F Sport get 20 and 27 mpg in the city and on the highway, respectively, and the AWD models get 19 and 26 mpg in the city and on the highway, respectively.
Test Drive a 2017 Lexus RX at Your Local Dealer
Knowing these similarities and differences is a good place to start, but as each trim will handle differently, you’ll need to check them out in person to be certain of what you need. Also note that all RXs come with different options to consider, such as the Rear-Seat Entertainment System Package and the Cold Weather Package.
Visit Lexus of Lehigh Valley to book a test drive and experience your favorite 2017 Lexus RX for yourself.
“Lexus RX-L 2018” by Kārlis Dambrāns is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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