When it comes to purchasing a true multipurpose vehicle, a luxury SUV fits the bill better than most species of road-going vehicle. Not only are they practical due to their size, but their cabins are big enough to comfortably fit five, and their trunks are large enough to squeeze all the accompanying cargo. They also offer plush surroundings and comfort that allows you a snapshot of how it must feel to be a part of royalty. Get something with a bit of performance like a BMW X5 M, and you've got a solid sporting proposition, too.These can cost a good chunk of money though, which is where the used market comes in. They can also be pricey to maintain due to the exotic materials and high-end powertrains used to get them moving, making used examples scary to ponder. Fear not, as this Japanese luxury SUV offers all the luxury and dependability you'll ever need, but for less than the cheapest new car in the US. The Lexus RX Is The Brand's First Foray Into The Crossover SUV Sector LexusBy the late 1990s, Toyota's Lexus luxury division was going from strength to strength. It made an impact when it was launched in 1989 with its legendary LS 400 luxury sedan, as well as with its first SUV, the Land Cruiser-based LX, in 1995. By 1997, a new sector was beginning to strike it rich: the crossover SUV. These vehicles were smaller than conventional SUVs and drove more like cars, but still offered greater practicality than traditional hatchbacks and sedans due to their higher ride heights and rooflines.Wanting to take advantage of this growing opportunity, Lexus developed the RX on the existing platform used by the LS and released it to the public in 1998. The RX Was The First Luxury Crossover Lexus The RX stood apart from its rivals due to it being angled as a luxury crossover, a recipe that hadn't yet been explored. The model ended up hitting the spot with buyers, and it became one of the brand's staple models. It remains in production today, with the ever-dependable fifth-generation Lexus RX being released in 2022. When it comes to picking up a used bargain, the third-gen model offered in the US between 2010 and 2015 is arguably the best bet. The Third-Gen RX Can Be Had For Peanuts In 2025 Lexus The third-gen RX was a $50,000 car when shiny and new in the early 2010s, though depreciation has worked its magic in the decade since it expired to make it much more affordable now. For a real bargain, keep an eye out for pre-2012 models, as this is when Lexus facelifted the RX.There were three different trim levels, the RX350, RX350 F Sport, and the RX450h, but all three are valued quite close to one another. Pre-facelift models, which only lack the newer interior and exterior styling of the later cars, can be had for well under $10,000, though don't expect to get one that has covered under 100,000 miles below this price point.Naturally, you'll be spending more on one with lower miles, and factor an extra few thousand dollars on top at least if you fancy a facelifted example. Generally speaking, $15,000 will secure you a nice less-traveled pre-facelift example, or a higher-mile post-facelift example.Lexus is famed for its impressive reliability ratings, and the RX is no exception to the rule, so if your budget only allows for an older and higher-mileage example, then fear not. It's perfectly possible to get a smart example with many years of service left in it for below $10,000; our Marketplace tool currently shows the average sale price for a 2011 RX 350 AWD to be just below $9,000. The Lexus RX Is Amazing At Being A Comfortable Cruiser Lexus For the price, there are few better options for luxury lovers than the RX450. Its double wishbone suspension layout was designed specifically to offer a smooth and supple ride without turning the vehicle into a boat, while its sumptuous leather and wood cabin was crafted to make its occupants feel right at home, no matter how long the journey. Lexus also worked hard to keep the cabin as quiet as possible, which it achieved by engineering the RX350's underpinnings specifically to reduce harshness and vibration coming into the cabin.It also comes with a ton of standard equipment, such as dual-zone climate control and electrically adjustable seats, as well as a nine-speaker premium sound system. There are also a ton of extra features available that you can keep an eye out for when looking at used examples, such as heated and ventilated seats, satellite navigation and a power tailgate. There Are Two Different Powerplants Available Lexus As far as selecting which engine you want, Lexus keeps things pretty simple. Both the RX350 and RX450h utilize naturally aspirated V6 engines, though the RX450 mates its unit to a single electric motor, which helps boost power and efficiency in equal measure. The engine-only RX350 comes with 270 hp, while the combined system output of the RX450h is 295 hp. Both vehicles come in front-wheel or all-wheel drive form, depending on what you can find for your budget.The two models do differ when it comes to the transmissions they utilize, with the RX350 getting a six-speed automatic unit while the RX450h gets a single-speed e-CVT setup. Despite the extra grunt of the electric motor, the FWD RX450h gets to 60 mph a tenth-of-a-second slower than the RX350, with 7.7 seconds playing 7.8 seconds. The AWD version of the more powerful vehicle can make better use of its grunt and hit the benchmark in 7.4 seconds, with the RX350 AWD managing it in 7.8 seconds. The RX450h Is Much More Fuel Efficient Drivers looking to save money on gas will be better off opting for the hybrid RX450h, as its average MPG figure of 30 completely trashes that of the RX350, which can only manage around 20 MPG in both FWD and AWD form. The Lexus RX Boasts Commanding Durability LexusAside from the sheer comfort and plushness of the Lexus RX, you can also trust it to become a dependable daily driver as a result of its Toyota DNA. When purchasing a big, V6-powered SUV such as this, you don't want to be spending thousands a year on upkeep, even if you get a good deal on the original asking price. Fortunately, the Japanese marque hit it out of the park once again in this regard when it comes to the RX.According to RepairPal, the RX350 should only set you back around $522 per year to maintain, while the RX450h is even more frugal at $502 every 12 months. They don't tend to suffer from many recurring issues either, as only 38 complaints have been raised about the 2012 RX by owners through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Most of these regard the car's electronics, though with only six issues, even these are few and far between.RepairPal reports that the oil line used on the RX350 can burst over time, which can lead to catastrophic engine failure if not shut down in time. The line will need to be replaced to ensure the car is safe to use once more, so make sure to look through any service history to work out if any potential RX350 you look at has had this kind of work done. All in all though, you'll be getting a trusty crossover luxury SUV, whichever of the RXs you choose. Who says you need to spend big money to enjoy the high life?
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