DecodedCars2026 Lexus RX
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- 350 4dr SUV, 350h 4dr SUV, 500h 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 180–275 hp
- Transmission
- e-CVT, 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 36 combined · 37 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 192.5 in
- Curb weight
- 4,288–4,751 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 39% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Modest powerUp to 275 hp, versus about 355 hp for similar 2026 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 31 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 Lexus RX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 193 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,288 lb (350 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 36 MPG combined (37 city / 34 highway), 39% better than the 2026 small SUV average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2026
- No plug-in hybrid version any more
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 RX →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Cambridge, Ontario · Miyawaka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2026 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 | 75.6 in | 67.3 in | 112.2 in | 65.4 / 66.5 in | 4,288 lb | 58/42 |
| 350h 4dr SUV | 192.5 in | 75.6 in | 67.3 in | 112.2 in | 65.4 / 66.5 in | 4,431 lb | 55/45 |
| 500h 4dr SUV | 192.5 in | 75.6 in | 67.3 in | 112.2 in | 65.4 / 66.5 in | 4,751 lb | 52/48 |
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 350h AWD Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 37 / 34 / 36 | +39% | $2,300 | 244 |
| RX 500h AWD Hybrid | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 28 / 27 | +4% | $3,050 | 321 |
| RX 350 | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | -17% | $3,300 | 354 |
| RX 350 AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | -7% | $3,400 | 370 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Lexus RX.
Similar 2026 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus RX (this car) | 36 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2026 Tesla Model Y | 357 mi | Not rated | 8 |
| 2026 BMW X3 | 29 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Volvo XC90 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Audi Q7 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Tesla Model X | 352 mi | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Porsche Macan | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm · Sep 17, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V598000 · 617 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 Lexus TX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX350, RX500 Hybrid, TX500 Hybrid, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.
- Risk
- A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckles, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TA19 and 26LA09.
Back Over Prevention › Software · Mar 18, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V162000 · 144,200 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lexus NX350, NX250, 2023-2026 RX350, and 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the rearview camera software or replace the rearview camera, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB02 and 26LA02.
Back Over Prevention › Display Function · Oct 30, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.
Not every 2026 Lexus RX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other RX years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 →