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Lexus RX 300 2018 review: snapshot

The cost of entry to the RX range is $74,251, which will buy you an RX300 Luxury. (RX 350 shown.)
EXPERT RATING
8.0

Likes

Powerful road presence
Long list of standard kit
Impressive safety list

Dislikes

Fiddly multimedia controls
Lacks the easy oomph of the V6 engine
Not the sportiest SUV
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

2 min read

The Lexus RX arrives in plenty of trim and engine combinations, so exactly how much yours will cost is largely up to you. 

The minimum cost, though, is $74,251, which will buy you an RX300 Luxury.  The range then steps up to the F Sport ($86,551), before topping out with the Sport Luxury, at $92,701. 

The Luxury-badged cars arrive with 20-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, LED headlights and fog lights (with daytime running lights), keyless entry, roof rails and rain-sensing wipers. While inside, expect dual-zone climate control, sat nav, push-button start and leather trim.

Step up to the F Sport and you’ll add a bigger, 12.3-inch infotainment screen that adds a CD player and DVD player and pairs with a better Mark Levinson sound system complete with 15 speakers (including a subwoofer). Finally, the Sport Luxury adds with soft leather trim elements, heated seats in the second row and a power folding function for the backseat. 

The RX300’s four-cylinder turbo engine serves up 175kW/350Nm, channelling it through a six-speed automatic gearbox and sending it on to the front wheels.

Even the cheapest RX (which, admittedly, isn’t all that cheap) arrives with a long list of standard safety features, including a reversing camera, blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, AEB, lane assist and parking sensors (but no park assist). You’ll also find 10 airbags, and twin ISOFIX mountings for you baby car seat, too, as well as cruise control and the usual suite of braking and traction control systems.

Lexus RX350 2018: Sports Luxury

Engine Type V6, 3.5L
Fuel Type Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency 9.6L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $41,800 - $49,170
Safety Rating
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

CarsGuide contributing journalist Andrew Chesterton is an award-winning Australian automotive reporter with more than 20 years of experience across newspapers, magazines, digital publishing and automotive corporate communications. Andrew began his journalism career at Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, reporting across business, courts, crime, property and state politics before moving into automotive journalism. He joined TopGear Australia as its online editor in 2008, later being appointed editor of Top Gear New Zealand. He subsequently worked as an assistant editor during the Australian launch of the Daily Mail Australia, and as communications manager at FCA Australia, now Stellantis. His experience on both sides of the media industry gives him an unrivalled understanding of the automotive industry, and the relationship between car manufacturers, the media, and Australian consumers. Andrew’s work has appeared across leading automotive, news, business, luxury, travel and lifestyle publications, including CarsGuide, EV Central, DMARGE, The Sydney Morning Herald, Marie Claire, Top Gear, GQ Australia, The Australian, WISH Magazine, Boss Hunting, The West Australian, The Nightly, Women’s Day Australia, Carsales, NRMA, Men’s Health, CEO Magazine, Australian Financial Review and more.   Andrew specialises in industry news, vehicle reviews, policy,  performance and luxury cars, electric vehicles, automotive technology, EVs hybrid and plug-in hybrids, and the broader Australian new-car marketplace. In 2025, Andrew was named Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year and was a finalist for the overall Journalist of the Year award. Earlier honours include Website of the Year wins at the Australian Magazine Awards and ACP Awards, the ACP Rising Star Award and recognition in the Bauer Media and News Ltd journalism awards. Expertise Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles Performance, luxury and supercars New-car reviews and road testing Australian automotive industry and new-car sales Chinese automotive brands and emerging manufacturers Utes, SUVs and family vehicles Automotive technologyPolicy Featured Publications CarsGuide EV Central DMARGE The Sydney Morning Herald Marie Claire Top Gear GQ Australia The Australian WISH Magazine Boss Hunting The West Australian The Nightly Women’s Day Australia Carsales NRMA Men’s Health CEO Magazine Australian Financial Review The Daily Telegraph The Sunday Telegraph Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.

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