DecodedCars2016 Lexus RX
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 350 4dr SUV, 450h 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 270 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 30 combined · 31 city / 30 hwy
- Length
- 192.5 in
- Curb weight
- 4,453–4,740 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 30 MPG combined — 22% better than the average 2016 small SUV (24.6 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 270 hp, versus about 360 hp for similar 2016 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Lexus RX is a small SUV offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 193 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,453 lb (350 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (31 city / 30 highway), 22% better than the 2016 small SUV average of 24.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,750 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2016
- New body dimensions: 4.7 in longer, wheelbase +1.9 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 RX →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Cambridge, Ontario · Miyawaka, Fukuoka
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 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 | 192.5 in | 74.8 in | 67.7 in | 109.8 in | 64.6 / 64.2 in | 4,453 lb | 58/42 |
| 450h 4dr SUV | 192.5 in | 74.8 in | 67.7 in | 109.8 in | 64.6 / 64.2 in | 4,740 lb | 56/44 |
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 | 31 / 30 / 30 | +22% | $2,750 | 297 |
| RX 450h AWD Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 30 / 28 / 30 | +60% | $2,750 | 299 |
| RX 350 | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | -7% | $2,900 | 390 |
| RX 350 AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | -4% | $3,050 | 405 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Lexus RX.
Similar 2016 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Lexus RX (this car) | 30 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Porsche Cayenne | 24 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2016 BMW X5 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 BMW X3 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Volvo XC90 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2016 Tesla Model X | 289 mi | Not rated | 12 |
| 2016 Porsche Macan | 19 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
Recalls (3)
Air Bags › Frontal · Jan 31, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V085000 · 48,672 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles. The air bag pressure sensors and/or the acceleration sensors may fail causing the side/curtain shield air bags and/or the front air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensors as necessary based on their serial numbers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 12, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are JLA, J0F.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Apr 7, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V198000 · 16,656 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Risk
- Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.
Air Bags › Knee Bolster · Feb 1, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V053000 · 5,072 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Lexus RX350 and RX450h vehicles manufactured November 16, 2015, to December 23, 2015. Due to an improper weld, the gas needed to inflate the driver's knee air bag may escape from the inflator.
- Risk
- A defective inflator may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the knee air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is GLA.
Not every 2016 Lexus RX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Lexus RX buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 14 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Power Train — 13 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 11 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 20,107 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 2016 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 |
| 2015 RX | 29 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 67 |
| 2014 RX | 29 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 22 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →