2020 Lexus RX 350L Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
With people spending more time in their cars there has been a shift in the amenities they require. They're no longer okay with a simple design and standard materials. They want luxury, both inside and out. They also don't want to take out a second mortgage to pay for such a vehicle.
To be specific, they don't want to pay a lot for their luxury SUV. Hence, the reason the Lexus RX 350L continues to be one of the best-selling in the U.S. This model year is no different. Though the changes to the 2020 version are minor, they still have consumers waiting to order one. Nevertheless, there are some disadvantages that can have buyers shift their mindsets.
What’s New for 2020?
The designers made some minor changes to the fourth-generation 2020 Lexus RX 350L. The most significant is modifications to the front and rear fascia. Underneath the SUV, engineers equipped the RX 350L with updated suspension hardware.
Consumers will notice two things within the vehicle's interior. First, more safety equipment comes standard in the front-wheel and all-wheel-drive versions of the RX 350L. Second, there's now an option to upgrade from an 8-inch touch screen to a 12.3-inch version. While it may not seem much, the additional width makes for a whole new infotainment experience.
On the connectivity side, the 2020 Lexus RX 350L joins other Luxury SUVs on the market with smart phone compatibility. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now come standard.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Lexus RX 350L – The Pros
1. Within a Decent Price Range for a Luxury SUV
At the base MSRP, the 2020 Lexus RX 350L starts around $47,000 for the full-wheel-drive model. It only jumps $1,000 for all-wheel-drive. For a Luxury SUV, this is a fair price to start with. Of course, extras will cost consumers. Thus, the MSRP can go up significantly if buyers order fully loaded models.
2. Unique styling
While the interiors of other luxury SUVs may be more opulent than their homes, their exteriors make them look less than stylish. The 2020 Lexus RX 350L doesn't have that problem.
Consumers know the vehicle comes from Lexus with the extended front fascia. Additional items that make it unique include triple-beam LED headlamps and a floating roofline that opens up the front and side views.
3. Robust Powertrain
The FWD and AWD of the 350L comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine. This might not seem like much, but it gives the midsize SUV 295 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque. In turn, this converts to several thousand pounds of towing capacity both on and off road.
4. Fuel Sipper Instead of Gulper
Fuel economy is always on the minds of consumers looking at a luxury SUV. They don't want to sacrifice efficiency for wood-paneled trim on the dash. Fortunately, the 2020 Lexus RX 350L allows for both.
On average for the FWD model, the SUV gets 20 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway. Subtract one mile from each category for the AWD version of the RX 350L. With a 19-gallon tank, a driver can travel over four hundred miles with a fill-up.
5. Driver Assist Standards
What the 2020 Lexus RX 350L has in driver assist standards is optional in other luxury SUV models. In addition to a rear-view camera, this model comes with, among other items, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Adaptive cruise control is also standard. This maintains the proper cruise control speed during fluctuating highway traffic.
6. Expanded infotainment options
Mentioned as a new feature, the 2020 Lexus RX 350L offers an optional 12.3-inch-wide infotainment screen. The heads-up touchscreen has a pinch-and-zoom option similar to those of smart devices. Control is through buttons on the steering wheel or a remote touchpad. In the end, it allows drivers to navigate without taking their eyes off the road.
In addition to this, entertainment and other options are now available via voice control through the Lexus Alexa app. Like consumers do at home, they can use Amazon's Alexa to select music, find reviews, and control certain aspects like climate control.
7. Panoramic View to Avoid Collisions
Another optional package that comes with the 12.3-inch-wide display is a panoramic view monitor. Cameras mounted on the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle create a 360-view of the nearby environment. This helps drivers avoid vehicles and other objects while getting in or out of a parking spot.
8. Well-Constructed Interior
Some luxury SUV manufacturers promote nicely designed interiors. Though the seats and floor coverings are okay, the dash and other molded areas are roughly constructed. The 2020 Lexus RX 350L does not have this problem.
Ambient lighting heightens the smooth curves of the dash as it properly connects with the interior's head liner. The seating material weighs half as much as leather, has a supple texture, and generates less CO2.
9. Three Rows of Seating
Seven-passenger capacity is an option for the 2020 Lexus RX 350. After the first two rows of captain's chairs there's a third row that seats three. For convenience, the second row has the ability to power fold to allow passengers in the last row to easily get out of the vehicle.
10. A Smooth Ride on all Surfaces
A new suspension system, standard in both the FWD and AWD versions of the 2020 Lexus RX 350L, helps create a smoother ride for driver and passengers. This is done through a stiffer infrastructure and anti-roll bars in addition to firmer suspension springs. This makes the luxury SUV a quiet ride that's easy to steer.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Lexus RX 350L – The Cons
1. Lack of Cargo Space
Although the 2020 Lexus RX 350L has a unique design that makes it stand out, it also hampers its storage capacity. Without the rows folded down, the midsize SUV has measly 6.22 cubic feet of storage in the three-row model. When all rows are folded, it has a total capacity of 59 cubic feet.
2. Cramped Third Row
Having a third row available on a midsize SUV is a boon to consumers. However, the lack of leg room between the second and third rows is not. If a consumer were to look at an overhead view, they would see a cramped space that barely fits an average person.
3. Less Sporty Than Competitors
This may be intentional on the company’s part, but the design of the Lexus 2020 RX 350L is less sporty than others on the market at this time. Consumers looking for something more rugged may find the layout of this luxury SUV more to the tastes of someone taking kids to school instead of going on off-road adventures.
4. Limited Engine Selection
There are buyers out there who desire different engine options. While other manufacturers have choices with more horsepower, the RX 350L only has one. Though sufficient in horsepower and towing capacity, consumers may want something that can make over rough terrains with ease.
How It Stacks Up to the Competition:
Besides the lack of engine choices, the 2020 Lexus RX 350L stacks up well against its nearest luxury competitors. For instance, when you match it up with the BMW X5, the Lexus has a better-constructed cabin and costs much less than the European model.
When it's matched with something like the Toyota Highlander, both have the same engine and transmission. While the RX has more storage space when the seats are up, the Highlander features more overall cubic storage space. However, the RX beats the Toyota SUV in infotainment capabilities with its 12.3-inch touchscreen option.
Conclusion
The 2020 Lexus RX 350L is a best-selling luxury SUV for a few reasons. First, its styling is unique among others in its class. Second, the interior of the 350L is tops among other manufacturers because it takes the status of luxury SUV seriously. Third, the suspension and frame allow for a smooth ride on all surfaces. Last, despite being in the luxury class, the starting MSRP is within the budgets of many buyers.
Having said this, the 2020 Lexus RX 350L is ... nice. It's not sporty like a Toyota Highlander. Nor is it standard like a Hyundai Santa Fe. It's in the middle. While there are consumers who like this, others want some more horsepower under the hood for adventures across back-country terrains. They want more overall storage space to handle cargo. And they want a third row with more legroom for their passengers.
Overall, the only way consumers can determine if the 2020 RX 350L is right for them is to take this guide with them to the dealership and see for themselves. An up-close look at the vehicle's interior and exterior design can determine if it fits their ideas of an SUV. Meanwhile, a test drive may help seal the deal to take it home or encourage them to look at luxury SUVs of other competitors.
