DecodedCars2010 Lexus RX
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 350 4dr SUV AWD, 450h 4dr SUV AWD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 275 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 30 combined · 32 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 187.8 in
- Curb weight
- 4,343–4,652 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 30 MPG combined — 45% better than the average 2010 SUV - (20.7 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2010 Lexus RX is a SUV - offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 188 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,343 lb (350 4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (32 city / 28 highway), 45% better than the 2010 SUV - average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,750 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2010
- New hybrid version
- Best combined MPG up from 20 to 30
- Lightest version 254 lb heavier
Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 RX →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Cambridge, Ontario · Miyawaka, Fukuoka
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2010 RX configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 350 4dr SUV AWD | 187.8 in | 74.4 in | 67.7 in | 107.9 in | 64.2 / 63.8 in | 4,343 lb | 57/43 |
| 450h 4dr SUV AWD | 187.8 in | 74.4 in | 67.7 in | 107.9 in | 64.2 / 63.8 in | 4,652 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 450h Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 32 / 28 / 30 | +45% | $2,750 | 296 |
| RX 450h AWD Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 30 / 28 / 29 | +58% | $2,850 | 306 |
| RX 350 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | +1% | $3,900 | 423 |
| RX 350 AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | +9% | $4,100 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Lexus RX under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2010 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Lexus RX (this car) | 30 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2010 Land Rover Range Rover | 15 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2010 Porsche Cayenne | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2010 BMW X5 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 19 |
| 2010 BMW X3 | 20 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2010 Volvo XC90 | 18 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2010 Lexus LX | 14 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (1)
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · Jun 29, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V305000 · 164,601 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Lexus RX350 and RX450h vehicles, manufactured from November 28, 2008, through September 1, 2010, and model year 2008 through 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2007, through September 5, 2011. In July 2012, Toyota filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2010 Lexus RX350 and RX450h vehicles. In November 2012, Toyota informed the agency that it was including an additional 10,565 vehicles including certain model year 2008 through 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 164,601. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
- Risk
- A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Toyota and Lexus will notify owners of affected vehicles and dealers will modify or replace the accelerator pedal and replace any driver's floor mat not specified for the vehicle. Owners of the Lexus vehicles were notified during August 2012. Toyota has not yet provided a notification schedule for the additional Land Cruiser vehicles. Owners may contact Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Not every 2010 Lexus RX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2010 Lexus RX buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 34 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Service Brakes — 13 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Vehicle Speed Control — 11 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 106,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Lexus RX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other RX years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 RX | 36 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 12 |
| 2025 RX | 36 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 24 |
| 2024 RX | 36 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 61 |
| 2023 RX | 36 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 67 |
| 2022 RX | 30 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 39 |
| 2021 RX | 30 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 71 |
| 2020 RX | 30 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 56 |
| 2019 RX | 30 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 68 |
| 2018 RX | 30 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 47 |
| 2017 RX | 30 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 103 |
| 2016 RX | 30 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 93 |
| 2015 RX | 29 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 67 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →