The 2024 Lexus RX350 is a luxury five-seater SUV. Let's see how the RX350 fares as a BabyDrive and put it through our family car testing with child seats and Thule prams.
BabyDrive Verdict
This five-seat luxury SUV is available in three variants: The base Luxury hybrid model costs $90,000, the petrol F-Sport model tested here costs $100,000, and the high-spec Sports Luxury model costs $108,000 (or another $6200 if you want it as a hybrid). Lexus also sells very powerful hybrid F-Sport Performance version for $128,000. These prices exclude stamp duty, rego etc that varies in each state and territory.
The 2024 Lexus RX350 looks chiselled and stylish on the outside, let's see how practical it is for families.
The styling inside the RX350 is calm, clutter-free and minimal.
The back of the RX350 has very good storage, and a refillable water bottle, wallet, and iPad will fit in the rear doors.
The rear central seat back has a fold-down armrest with a storage box and cup holders that will hold a reusable coffee cup or kid's drink cup.
There are map pockets on the back of both front seats that will hold and conceal an iPad and USB-C charging sockets in the back of the central console box.
In the front, the central console provides good storage with two cup holders, a phone charging tray and central console storage box that you can open from either side.
The glove box is a practical-size and there is a glasses case in the ceiling and door bin storage too.
Storage in the 2024 Lexus RX350's boot is very practical for family use. The boot floor is nice, flat and carpeted for emergency nappy changes, and comfortable for a medium-sized family dog to travel in.
When empty, the 2024 Lexus RX350's boot holds seventeen shopping bags, which is comparable to the Audi Q7 and Genesis GV80 which both also hold seventeen shopping bags. The BMW X5 holds sixteen and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe holds fifteen.
When using all three rows of seats, the Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…
…will fit in the Lexus RX350 boot with two shopping bags.
The Thule Urban Glide 2 single is the ultimate all-terrain stroller…
…with the back wheels on, it will fit in the 2024 Lexus RX350 boot with eight shopping bags.
The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…
… fits in the boot of the 2024 Lexus RX350 with eleven shopping bags.
You can also fit two 90L Thule Chasm duffle bags and two 40L Thule Chasm duffle bags in the boot of the Lexus RX350.
When it comes to installing child seats in the 2024 Lexus RX350 …
…there are ISOFix points in both outer second-row seats. They are not within plastic guides, but they are nice and easy to connect to.
All three second-row seatbacks have top tether anchorages, which are clearly labelled, within plastic guides, and easily located through the boot.
Three child seats fit really comfortably across the second row of the 2024 Lexus RX350. It's a really spacious back seat so different combinations of forward-facing and a rear-facing child seats fit well.
With a rear-facing infant capsule in the second row, we could fit a 180cm driver in front of it. Or, with a forward-facing child seat in the second row, we could fit a 186cm driver in front.
Rear passengers are kept comfortable in the RX350 with built-in window blinds to keep rear passengers shaded from the sun while driving along.
Air conditioning vents in the back of the central console box allow you to keep rear passengers a comfortable temperature while driving along and the temperature controls there too.
The Lexus RX350's media system is modern and easy to use. You navigate around it using the bar down the right of the screen.
The RX350 has an in-built Sat Nav.
You can easily adjust the sound, which is a great feature for families with noise-sensitive kids.
Within the media screen, you can customise the driver assist settings to your preference and change the drive mode.
The Lexus RX350 has Apple CarPlay, so you can access your phone, music and Apps while driving.
You adjust the climate and control your seat ventilation easily at the bottom of the screen. These controls stay here so they are easy to use while driving.
When you put it in reverse, the camera images are excellent quality and clear. You can turn the parking sensors off on the bottom left on the screen.
The 2024 Lexus RX350 F-Sport is a lovely car to drive. Being a luxury vehicle, you are cocooned from a lot of the road and wind noise, which makes the drive less tiring. It feels solid on the road and the sturdy steering wheel gives a sense of confidence too.
The 2024 Lexus RX350 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating and has eight airbags as standard.
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags, as well as a driver knee airbag, are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
BabyDrive Indepth
BabyDrive Indepth - Storage
How big is the boot of the 2024 Lexus RX350?
Storage in the Lexus RX350's boot is very practical for family use. The boot floor is nice, flat and carpeted for emergency nappy changes, and comfortable for a medium-sized family dog to travel in.
When empty, the Lexus RX350's boot holds seventeen shopping bags, which is comparible to the Audi Q7 and Genesis GV80 which both also hold seventeen shopping bags. The BMW X5 holds sixteen and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe holds fifteen.
When using all three rows of seats, the Thule Sleek, future-proof, multi-configuration pram with a single seat…
…will fit in the Lexus RX350 boot with two shopping bags.
The Thule Urban Glide 2 single is the ultimate all-terrain stroller…
… with the back wheels on, it will fit in the 2024 Lexus RX350 boot with eight shopping bags.
The Thule Spring, lightweight and one-handed folding stroller…
… fits in the boot of the Lexus RX350 with eleven shopping bags.
You can also fit two 90L Thule Chasm duffle bags and two 40L Thule Chasm duffle bags in the boot of the Lexus RX350.
How good is storage in the 2024 Lexus RX350 F-Sport?
In the front of the Lexus RX350, the central console provides good storage.
It has two cup holders that will fit a reusable or disposable coffee cup.
In front of the gear lever is. hidden phone charging compartment with USB, USB-C and 12V sockets. Above that in the dash is a phone charging shelf and two more USB-C sockets.
The central console box lid can be opened from either side, which provides practical storage.
The glove box is a practical-size and holds the manual and Lexus kit.
It's great to see there is a glasses case in the ceiling that is lined so it won't scratch your lenses.
The front door bins will hold a refillable water bottle, iPad and wallet with the manual.
The rear passengers in the RX350 have very good storage, too. The rear door bins will hold a refillable water bottle, wallet, and iPad will fit in the rear doors.
The rear central seat back has a fold-down armrest with a storage box and cup holders that hold reusable coffee cups or kids' drink cups.
There are map pockets on the back of both front seats that will hold and conceal an iPad and USB-C charging sockets in the back of the central console box.
BabyDrive Indepth - Noise
How noisy is the 2024 Lexus RX350, and how easy is the media screen to use?
The Lexus RX350 is not a noisy vehicle to drive.
The Lexus RX350's media system is modern and easy to use. You navigate around it using the bar down the right of the screen.
The RX350 has an in-built Sat Nav.
You can easily adjust the sound, which is a great feature for families with noise-sensitive kids.
Within the media screen, you can customise the driver assist settings to your preference and change the drive mode.
The Lexus RX350 has Apple CarPlay, so you can access your phone, music and Apps while driving.
You can easily adjust the climate and control your seat ventilation at the bottom of the screen. These controls stay here, so they are easy to use while driving.
When you put it in reverse, the camera images are excellent quality and clear. The parking sensors can be turned off at the bottom left of the screen.
The RX350's indicator sound was not too loud, so it did not disturb my kids while they were sleeping in the back. The lane departure warning vibration through the steering wheel is great for not disturbing little passengers with loud beeps.
The windows and doors in the Lexus RX350 are not too loud or noisy to open and close, and they do not baby-wake!
Becoming a parent I soon realised there are some noises and sounds I feel are unnecessary and I could happily live without if it meant my baby stayed asleep!!
That often the distraction of my screaming, distressed baby is more dangerous when driving than not having a lane departure warning for example.
If it is the lane departure warning beeping that creates distress with my baby then which is safest?
It’s where I think we need to be able to strike a balance and choose when we can mute the warnings or swap them to a vibration in the steering wheel or flashing light perhaps?
A lot of these noises come with the increase in technology and especially linked to safety features and alerts. For me these all have their place.
Another thing I have realised is I spend my time in a lot more places where small children roam, parks, beaches, play gyms, swimming lessons, daycare centre etc. I have become more aware that when I’m reversing or manouvering in the car parks I have to tripple check for small children running around behind me or being in my blind spot when reversing. For this I LOVE reversing cameras, I just don’t like their beeping sounds!!
I have become so much more aware of safety and potential accidents or hazards since having a child and so I love the peace of mind that I get from the cameras and sensors combined with my own vision from windows and mirrors as I don’t trust cameras alone.
BabyDrive Indepth - Car Seats
How many child/baby seats can you fit in the 2024 Lexus RX350?
When it comes to installing child seats in the 2024 Lexus RX350 …
… there are ISOFix points in both outer second-row seats. They are not within plastic guides, but they are nice and easy to connect to.
All three second-row seatbacks have top tether anchorages, which are clearly labelled, within plastic guides, and easily located through the boot.
Three child seats fit really comfortably across the second row of the 2024 Lexus RX350. It's a very spacious back seat allowing different combinations of forward-facing and a rear-facing child seats fit well.
The rear footwell is quite flat and carpeted, making leg and kick room good for rear passengers.
With a rear-facing infant capsule in the second row, we could fit a 180cm driver in front of it. Or, with a forward-facing child seat in the second row, we could fit a 186cm driver in front.
There is room to insert Bub into their child's seat from outside the car and from inside, and there is room to feed Bub in the back if only one child seat is installed.
Australia being a country of weather extremes- blazing sun and torrential rain, mean you may find it easier to put Bub into their seat from inside the car sometimes. If it’s hot you can get the air-con going, cool the car down and not stand out in the sun while you fasten them in or shelter from the rain and not get soaked yourself whilst you’re doing it. So it is important to test whether Bub can be easily installed from either direction!
BabyDrive Indepth - Drive & Comfort
How comfortable is the 2024 Lexus RX350?
The Lexus RX350 keeps rear passengers comfortable with air conditioning vents in the back of the central console box. The temperature controls there, too, so little passengers may fiddle with those with their toes!.
The climate controls are along the bottom of the front media screen. So they are always easily accessible while driving.
The rear seats are comfortable for passengers not in child seats, with good legroom. There are also built-in window blinds in the rear windows to keep rear passengers sheltered from the sun while driving.
The upholstery is grey with perforated panels and suede panelling, too. Both may be magnets for little kids' spills and crumbs! The front seats are equally as comfortable as the rear seats.
There are four air-conditioning vents across the front of the dashboard, two below the media screen and one at each end of the dashboard.
Visibility is great in the Lexus RX350. Even with three child seats installed in the back, I could see well over the top of them and out of the rear side windows. If you want extra visibility, there is a button on the dash you can press to turn the camera on.
The Lexus RX350 is a solid and sturdy car to drive, and the chunky steering wheel adds to your feeling of confidence when driving it. It's easy to drive around town and doesn't feel big so school and tight supermarket car parks are no problem.
One thing I have noticed since being a mum is I hate it when I reach a destination or get home from being out and Bub has either done really well in the car or she is screaming her head off and I have done really well to keep it together for the entire journey (usually the latter!!) and it takes 10 minutes to park the car! It can be really stressful. Usually, I dread parking in our tight apartment block carpark, but the Lexus RX350 was easy to reverse park!
BabyDrive Indepth - Safety
How safe is the 2024 Lexus RX350?
The Lexus RX350 has been given a five-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 89% for child occupancy protection and 90% for adult occupancy protection.
Of the child occupancy testing, ANCAP wrote:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and maximum points were scored in these tests.
The Lexus RX is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages on the rear outboard seats and top tether anchorages for all rear seating positions.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in all rear seating positions and full points were scored for this assessment.
Eight airbags are standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags, as well as a driver knee airbag, are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
The Lexus RX350 comes with adaptive cruise control (ACC), anti-lock braking system (ABS), autonomous emergency braking (AEB) – Car-to-Car/ VRU/Backover/Junction Assist. Automatic emergency call (eCall), blind spot monitor (BSM), child presence alert, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), event data recorder (EDR), electronic stability control (ESC), emergency brake assist (EBA), emergency stop signal (ESS), fatigue reminder, fatigue monitor/detection, forward collision warning (FCW), lane departure warning (LDW), lane keep assist (LKA), pre-crash systems, rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), reversing collision avoidance (camera), secondary/multi-collision brake, speed assistance – auto / intelligent speed limiter and speed assistance – speed sign recognition & warning as standard.
Some of these safety features are also features that drive me crazy as a mum! Like the lane departure and forward collision alert or the parking sensor beeping sound. I want all the safety technology AND to be able to mute the sound when Bub’s asleep!
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