Quick Facts
- Original starting price: $46,245 (including $1,025 destination fee)
- Class: Luxury Midsize SUV
- Competitors: BMW X5, Audi Q5, Genesis GV80, Tesla Model X
- KBB.com Fair Purchase Price
Introduction
Known for its smooth ride and understated interior, the 2021 Lexus RX is a midsize luxury SUV that launched a segment. Repeated winner of the Kelley Blue Book Best Midsize Luxury SUV and the Best 5-Year Cost to Own Award, the Lexus RX maintains its credibility by consistently producing desirable vehicles. The range of power options, luxurious interiors, generous safety suites, and distinctive styling make the Lexus RX a fan favorite. Holding on to a crown in a class of sophisticated champions is hard work, and with competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X5, and the disruptor Tesla Model X, the 2021 Lexus RX is in a run for its money.
While its competitors feature more elevated technology and increasing levels of autonomous driving, the 2021 Lexus RX shines with options, various trims, consistent quality, and strong resale value. New for the 2021 Model Year, the Base RX 350 gains safety features and a new Black Line Special Edition. The F Sport package gets an interior upgrade.
OEM CPO Warranty Program Highlights
- Limited Warranty: Adds 2 years/Unlimited Miles after the Lexus New Car Warranty has expired
- Powertrain Warranty: Adds 2 years/Unlimited miles after the Lexus New Car Warranty expires
- Roadside Assistance: Included during the warranty period
- Complimentary Maintenance: 4 factory-recommended services for 2 years or 20,000 miles.
Learn more about Buying a Certified Pre-Owned Lexus
Key Competitors
KBB Review Highlights
The luxury of choice reigns supreme with the Lexus RX. With a choice of powertrains and a plush interior, the 2021 Lexus RX excels as an option for drivers seeking a smooth ride, impressive fuel economy, and flexible seating. Aiming for comfort and ease rather than athletic handling, the 2021 Lexus RX delivers a sweet combination of performance and style that buyers return to again and again. It is relaxed luxury at its best and is instantly recognizable as Lexus with its long nose and hourglass grille.
Lexus knows its buyer wants a quietly luxurious ride that is both comfortable and stable and provides various options and trims to meet their needs. All gas-only RX 350 trims come with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD), and hybrid RX 450h models are all AWD. Regardless of the powering method, the ride experience is fluid, responsive, and pampering, though the F Sport is a bit more fashion-forward and sport-inspired. It runs on regular gas and has paddle shifters. All non-hybrid variants use a naturally aspirated (non-turbocharged) 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower. In comparison, the hybrid options add the oomph of two battery-electric motors to provide an impressive 308 horsepower and an equally impressive fuel efficiency level.
The cabin of the 2021 Lexus RX is well-finished. Dressed in elevated materials and thoughtful details, a large infotainment system and a well-placed audio system with USB and auxiliary input dominate the dash, especially with the upgrade 12.3-inch touchscreen. Infotainment is Alexa-compatible, smartphone-integrated, and controlled by a confusing mouse-like apparatus. Commonly used functions are easy to access, and drive modes are within reach. Extended wheelbase versions of the RX, the RX 350L and RX 450hL, squeeze a power-folding third-row seat with two seating positions into the back of the SUV. These seats work best for short trips or short passengers, as legroom is limited — but can be very handy in a pinch. The seats fold flat between use, and the RX L versions have greater cargo capacity than the shorter wheelbase versions.
The Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 comes standard on all RX models, bringing automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. New for the 2021 model year is a glam Black Line Special Edition. Improvements to the base model’s standard safety functions for the year include blind-spot monitoring and power-folding/self-dimming side mirrors.
See Kelley Blue Book’s Expert Review of the 2021 Lexus RX
If you’re ready to shop, see certified pre-owned 2021 Lexus RX models
