Used Lexus RX Buying Guide

• Despite having different engines, both generations covered have very similar miles per gallon.
• If you're wanting something a bit more comfortable, then we think that fifth generation models starting in 2023 is the way to go.
• The most recent model is also one of the safest on the road as it comes with the IIHS' best safety rating, making these the best used Lexus RX years.

Being the most recent generation on the market, these will be the hardest to find, but some of the most desirable. On the structural side of things, due to Lexus making the wheelbase slightly longer, and having a slightly wider body, as well as different fitment of the suspension, you gain much more space. In Edmunds' measurements, they found that the capacity is now at 29.6 cu-ft of space. Up from the fourth gen's 16 cu-ft of space.

While there is more room in the vehicle, that is because this model is now strictly a five-seater, unlike years before. But if you're someone who doesn't need a ton of seats, this is a good option for you.

Moving on to the powertrain, the one that you'll find is the turbocharged 2.5L I4, paired with an 8-speed transmission. Coming on both FWD, and AWD configurations, there's a good chance that you'll find what you're looking for. Being that this engine isn't the largest, it does come with some decent mileage. The FWD variant is able to get 25 MPG combined, while the AWD variant is able to get 24 MPG combined.

On the safety side of things, the RX came out swinging in the first year of this generation. This is because it came with IIHS' Top Safety Pick+. This makes it one of the best vehicles on the road, perfect for soccer moms taking their kids around town. Some features that help give the RX this rating are blindspot detection, lane departure warning and prevention, as well as rear automatic braking.

Moving on to an easier generation to find, we have the fourth generation, and despite it being "older" the later year models will come with some decent tech. Starting with the earlier year models, some things that you can find are an 8-inch screen, with some models being equipped with the optional 12.3-inch screen. If you're someone who wants the most out of their vehicle, then you can also look for a model that may come with a rear seat entertainment system. This helps keep your kids entertained while on long trips.

On the topic of long trips, this generation comes with a 3.5L V6. Being a bit larger than the one on the previous generation, it does get slightly less overall MPG, but not by much. This engine comes with an EPA rated 23 MPG combined, which is still decent, even if the engine is larger.

The biggest change came in 2019, and this was the addition of Lexus Safety System+ 2.0. This replacement was an upgrade from the previous iteration, which now came with lane departure warning and prevention, as well as rear automatic braking, and blind spot detection, with the latter two being optional.