UPDATE: 2026/09/24 10:45 EST BY DAN CLOUGHER
It’s What Isn’t There That Customers Love The Most
We’ve included a section which explains how the RX’s lack of moving with the times is actually what makes it such a timeless and desirable place to sit in 2026.
Ten years is a long time in the automotive world — long enough for most luxury SUVs to fade into beige irrelevance. Leather splits, trim panels loosen, and that once-aspirational cabin starts feeling like a hotel shuttle. Yet the 2016 Lexus RX keeps defying that trajectory. A decade on, its interior still draws favorable comparisons against brand-new luxury SUVs, and you can now buy one for a fraction of what it cost new. Here’s the story behind a cabin so well-executed that time hasn’t managed to diminish it.
In 2016, Lexus was generating plenty of headlines. It would be their fourth consecutive year of record global sales, with SUVs leading the charge. Among those SUVs, the RX was one of the brand’s longest-running nameplates, having debuted in 1998. By this point, the model had become an authority in the SUV segment.
What A 2016 RX Costs Right Now, And Which Model Year To Target
2020 Lexus RX Silver Side ViewLexus
For more details about selecting the right Lexus RX generation for you, give this a read. If you’re set on the fourth-generation RX, pay close attention to the 2020 model year: that’s when touchscreen functionality arrived to address the mouse-interface complaints, when Android Auto and Apple CarPlay became standard equipment, and when Lexus began fitting the previously optional Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite to every model sold.
When the fourth-generation RX launched for 2016, buyers paid roughly $42,000–$49,000 for a standard model and around $52,000–$57,000 for a hybrid-powered variant. Optional packages could push the sticker considerably higher.
Today, the most affordable examples from this generation typically land in the $15,000 to $18,000 range, often carrying 150,000 miles or more. Shop patiently, and you’ll find a few copies with odometer readings closer to 100,000 miles at that price. At the other end of the spectrum, low-mileage examples with fewer than 15,000 miles can be found for around $40,000.
Between those extremes, a budget of around $30,000 should be enough to locate a well-kept example with fewer than 35,000 miles on the clock.
Hybrid-powered units are available across all price points listed above, though shoppers should expect nearly double the odometer reading compared to a conventional gas V6 example at the same price. The same pattern applies to the relatively rare RX 350 L, which rode on a stretched wheelbase for improved rear-seat space.
What Made The 2016 RX Interior Better Than Anything At Its Price?
A few months after going on sale, the 2016 RX earned a coveted spot on Ward’s Auto’s annual “10 Best Interiors” list. To qualify, a vehicle must feature an all-new interior for the US market and score highly across materials, ergonomics, safety, comfort, value, and fit-and-finish. Worth noting too: the fourth-generation RX’s new body structure was substantially stiffer than its predecessor’s, which paid direct dividends in interior refinement and noise suppression.
2020-2022 Lexus RX Overhead Rear 3/4 angel in black while drivingLexus
It wasn’t all good news on board. This generation’s initial infotainment system required drivers to navigate on-screen menus using a mouse-like controller on the center console — a setup that divided opinion. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also absent until the 2020 update, which simultaneously added touchscreen functionality to reduce reliance on the cursor interface.
2016-2019 Lexus RX Interior view of the steering wheel and dashLexus
Lexus set out to make the interior one of the freshly redesigned RX’s most compelling selling points, and it delivered. The brand had long been respected for crafting some of the finest luxury cabins in the segment. Even drivers who weren’t fans of Lexus’s aesthetic choices had to concede that the tactile quality of every control — every switch, knob, and lever — conveyed a sense of deliberate over-engineering.
Building on that long-held strength, the interior of the new-for-2016 Lexus RX made no compromises. The updated design language gave drivers a modernized take on the signature Lexus cockpit: formal, inviting, and rich with attention to detail. In every respect, the cabin met the elevated expectations that loyal Lexus owners had come to take for granted.
2020 Lexus RX Black/Red Interior Front SeatsLexus
The cabin was also larger and more welcoming, with the seats and steering wheel repositioned to ease entry and exit. Although designers kept the RX’s overall footprint similar to its predecessor — at customers’ request — advances in the underlying structure freed up meaningful space throughout the interior.
2020-2022 Lexus RX Interior view of the front cabinLexus
Controls ranging from the window switches to the turn-signal stalk to the gear selector all felt solid, weighty, and overbuilt. The window switches and signal stalk require around 40% more actuation force than comparable BMW or Mercedes-Benz equivalents, delivering the vault-like solidity that luxury buyers associate with premium engineering. The dashboard leather uses the same grain pattern and tanning process as Lexus’s flagship LS sedan.
Exceptional suppression of squeaks, rattles, and vibrations delivered flagship-grade refinement at a non-flagship price. From the power window motors to the door handles to the operation of the sunroof and power tailgate, every driver input is met with a response that reinforces the quality feel buyers expect.
Craftsmanship and attention to detail rewarded the eyes and fingertips of every occupant, and test-driving shoppers considering a significant outlay had little trouble feeling that their money was well spent inside a Lexus.
Rounding out the interior story, the updated RX offered some striking color and trim options for drivers seeking a more dynamic feel — particularly through the F Sport model. Available interior trims included Matte Bamboo, Espresso Walnut, Matte Linear Dark Mocha Wood, Striated Black Trim, and Gray Sapele Wood with Aluminum. The Striated Black Trim featured a glossy black base with an embossed three-dimensional pattern that added a sense of luxurious depth.
The Specific Features Rivals Still Haven’t Matched
2020 Lexus RX interior view of the center stackLexus
- Touch-Free Power Rear Door: Allowed drivers to open the tailgate by simply waving a hand or elbow near the rear emblem
- Active Sound Generator: Exclusive to F Sport models, this intake-mounted device uses a vibrating diaphragm to amplify natural engine frequencies, pumping a mechanical “growl” into the cabin during spirited acceleration
- Lexus Climate Concierge: Special sensors monitor the surface body temperature of all occupants, automatically co-ordinating the climate control system and heated/ventilated seats for individual comfort
- Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS): A high-performance damper system that adjusts shock absorber damping rates up to 30 times per second to optimize drive quality in real time
- Power-Folding & Reclining Second Row: Aside from merely sliding, the RX 350’s rear seats feature a power-folding mechanism controllable from the driver’s seat or cargo area, allowing them to flatten or return upright at the touch of a button.
- Panoramic View Monitor with “See-Through” View: Utilizes four high-resolution cameras to create a bird’s-eye perspective, including a unique mode that makes the car’s body appear transparent on-screen to see exactly what is underneath the chassis.
- “Easy Exit” Seat & Steering Wheel: To maximize entry and exit space, the steering wheel automatically tilts up and away while the driver’s seat slides rearward as soon as the ignition is turned off.
Lexus Got Serious About Turning The RX Into A Driver’s SUV
2016-2019 Lexus RX F Sport, Front 3/4 angle in silver while drivingLexus
When the fourth-generation RX arrived, it faced increasingly turbocharged competition while relying on a naturally aspirated base engine. It also offered proven hybrid power for electrification-curious shoppers and received a thoroughly recalibrated driving experience designed to put it on the radar of driving enthusiasts for the first time.
The V6 was bumped to 295 hp in the RX 350, and a new 8-speed automatic sharpened both response and efficiency compared to the outgoing six-speed unit. Revised cylinder heads improved engine breathing, and both intake and exhaust camshafts gained variable timing. The result was a flexible and efficient powertrain, backed by a new AWD system capable of shifting from pure front-wheel drive to a 50/50 power split between the axles in milliseconds.
Selected Specifications
2016 Lexus
RX 350
2016 Lexus
RX 450h
2016 Acura
MDX
Engine
3.5-liter V6 gas NA
3.5-liter V6 gas
NA hybrid
3.5-liter V6 gas NA
Power
295 hp @ 6,300 rpm
308 hp (System total)
290 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque
267 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
247 lb-ft (Engine only)
252–267 lb-ft
@ 4,500 rpm
Transmission
8-speed automatic
E-CVT
9-speed automatic
0-60 mph (approx)
7.8 seconds
7.5–7.9 seconds
5.9–6.2 seconds
Towing Capacity Max
3,500 lbs
3,500 lbs
5,000 lbs
During development, engineers invested heavily in sharpening the feel of the steering, throttle, and brakes without sacrificing the comfort the RX was known for. From behind the wheel, the fourth-generation RX felt light-years ahead of its predecessor in terms of driver engagement. The AWD system’s Sport and Sport+ modes also made the RX 350 a capable and confidence-inspiring performer in winter driving conditions, with appropriate tires fitted.
How It Holds Up Against A Used BMW X5 Or Mercedes GLE Today
2016 BMW X5 Specs and Current Values
Silver 2016 BMW X5 xDrive 40e front 3/4 angle while parkedBMW
2016 Lexus RX Rivals Specs and Pricing
BMW X5
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV
Current Used Value
~$13,800
~$15,100
Base Powertrain
3.0L Turbo Inline-6
3.5L V6
Base Horsepower
300 hp
302 hp
Base Torque
300 lb-ft
273 lb-ft
Base Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
7-Speed Automatic
The Lexus RX ranks among the more reliable used luxury SUVs on the market, though it tends to command a slight price premium over its rivals. The BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class from the same era originally carried higher MSRPs, but both have since depreciated to average asking prices below those of the RX. They’re every bit as luxurious — arguably more so in some respects — and both were offered in high-performance variants that the RX’s top trims couldn’t match. The 2016 X5 M and the AMG GLE 63 competed at a level simply beyond the RX’s reach.
That said, the base models of both German SUVs have depreciated more steeply, largely because they haven’t proven as reliable as the Lexus. The 2016 X5 is currently subject to five recalls covering issues such as a water pump short-circuit, coolant leaking inside the EGR module, and fuel pump failure, among others. The 2016 GLE-Class fares worse still, with 18 recalls; notable examples include engine stalling due to water intrusion, a roof panel that may detach while driving, oil leaks, and faulty ECU software that can cause the vehicle to shut down unexpectedly.
What To Expect From The Driving Experience
Despite the performance-focused updates, Lexus didn’t compromise the quality of the ride. Automakers often push too hard when trying to inject sportiness into an SUV, and the result can undermine the very experience buyers are paying for. Unless you’re specifically shopping for a performance SUV, you likely want something closer to a sensory deprivation tank on wheels — plush, quiet, and effortlessly smooth.
The RX delivers exactly that. Despite Lexus’s use of words like “sporty” and the existence of the F Sport trim, the RX is about as aggressive as a mobility scooter. If you’re after a Rolls-Royce-like ride on a realistic budget, the RX makes a compelling case. Every generation of this vehicle has prioritized comfort over outright handling, and the RX is all the better for it.
Does The RX Uphold The Interior Standards In 2026?
2026 Lexus RX 350 Premium AWD interior steering wheel viewLexus
In 2026, the RX isn’t the pinnacle of the Lexus lineup, but that hasn’t led the brand to cut corners on luxury. Even the base model arrives with eight-way power-adjustable heated front seats and ambient illumination, finished in NuLuxe interior trim. Step up to the mid-range and ventilated front seats are added, perforated leather becomes standard, and thematic ambient lighting sets a more refined mood — along with Ash Bamboo or Black Open-Pore Wood trim. At the top of the range, rear-seat heating and ventilation are included, the door panels are finished in Ultrasuede with Dark Graphite Aluminum accents, and a panoramic glass roof makes the cabin feel even more expansive.
More lavish SUVs do exist in this segment, but you’ll pay a significant premium for them. The RX lineup’s asking price of roughly $50,000–$68,000 represents strong value for the level of interior quality on offer.
It’s What Isn’t There That Customers Love The Most
Mercedes-Benz hyperscreen in EQS Sedan.Mercedes-Benz
Since the RX first debuted, a lot has been going on in the auto industry, especially within the cabin. We’ve seen screens akin to those in cinemas find their way onto dashboards, touch-sensitive buttons have become the norm, and in some instances, cheap, scratchy plastics have been spotted in the cabins of supposedly premium SUVs.
The RX rejects all of this, with a singular and sensible-sized screen, completely devoid of any subscription-based features or unwanted advertisements, plus it proudly boasts tactile buttons and switches. The quality of materials throughout is decidedly Lexus, too. So, while smarter systems with more bells and whistles have indeed come and gone within the last decade, the RX just isn’t interested, and it’s that lack of evolution that has actually resulted in the SUV’s cabin being such a timeless and welcome place. Many cabins lost their way, while the RX stayed firm-footed upon its path toward ease-of-use, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Sources: Lexus USA, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, NHTSA
