The Greatest Generation has all but faded out, with only a few remaining people who remember what it was like to band together not just as a country, but as allies against the forces of evil. These legends eventually die out, and so will the engines that have powered some of the most well-loved and durable vehicles on the market. The Lexus RX 350 was a legend in its own time, not for being exciting, flashy, or overtly posh, but for being durable, dependable, and reliable for hundreds of thousands of miles.What has made the RX 350 such an amazing luxury SUV? Before the change to smaller hybrid and turbocharged powertrains with a lower track record for reliability, this Lexus SUV was powered by one of the longest-lasting engines ever built. The legendary Toyota 2GR V6 engine lasts so long that even the Energizer Bunny put down his drumsticks in homage to the longevity built at the heart of the Lexus RX 350. Alas, like any legend, things eventually come to an end, and once the calendar turned to 2023, the 2GR engine was no longer included in this Lexus SUV. The Smart Luxury SUV Buyers Are Choosing Instead Of Brand-New Models Modern SUVs Are Becoming More Complicated And Less Proven Lexus Look around the automotive market today, and you’ll find a wide array of SUVs with small, turbocharged engines with complex electronics. In some cases, a hybrid powertrain combining an electric motor and a gas-powered engine is the chosen solution, and there are several hybridization and turbocharging options across the landscape. Unfortunately, none of these smaller, albeit more efficient, solutions has what the Toyota 2GR V6 brings to the table: a stellar reputation for durability, simplicity, and affordable maintenance.These smaller, unproven engines have some smart luxury SUV buyers opting for a vehicle that can last 200,000 to 300,000 miles without breaking a sweat, rather than saving a few bucks at the gas pump. Proven naturally aspirated powertrains are being replaced, but many drivers still understand the pure value of a vehicle that does its job well every day. Sometimes, The Older Version Is Actually The Better Long-Term Buy Lexus The modern version of the Lexus RX 350 might be fancier, it has more gadgets and technology, and it certainly is newer, but what it doesn’t have is the reputation built over the past few decades with one of the most incredibly tough and durable engines to hit the market. Choosing a 2022 or older Lexus RX 350 is more than just a statement of frugality; it’s a statement of proven, dependable, and trusted power that never gives up and won’t let you down. The Legendary 2GR V6 Is The Entire Reason This SUV Makes Sense Toyota’s 3.5-Liter V6 Has Become One Of The Industry’s Most Trusted Engines Lexus When experts agree, it's worthy of attention. The 2GR V6 isn’t just a sometimes-reliable engine that might get the job done; several experts have touted its durability and ability to reach high mileage figures. If you want a vehicle that will last for 300,000 miles or more without any issues, your best chance of reaching this figure is to drive one of the many vehicles powered by the 2GR V6 engine. Thankfully, one such vehicle is the Lexus RX 350, and the 2018 to 2022 model years could be the sweet spot for you.If you’re worried about vehicle value and age, the RX 350 has proven itself with impressive resale value, maintaining 43 percent of its original value even a decade after the model year. That could also mean you pay a little more to get into a 2018 or 2019 version than you might initially expect, but the RX 350 shares parts with the Toyota Camry and Highlander, ensuring maintenance and repair parts will be readily available to you. Lexus Replaced The V6 With A Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Lexus Getting down to brass tacks, the 2GR V6 is a 3.5-liter V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. No CVTs are found in this powertrain. This setup produces 295 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque and was offered either FWD or AWD. Towing was limited to 3,500 pounds, which is enough for most camping trailers.Starting in 2023, the Lexus RX 350 began using a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Thankfully, the eight-speed automatic was still part of the mix. This powertrain setup makes 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. This means a loss of 20 horsepower compared to the 2GR V6, but a healthy gain in torque. The new setup was also offered in FWD or AWD and can tow up to 3,500 pounds.Lexus Eventually, things got even more complicated, and for the sake of simplicity, worse for the RX 350. A 350h hybrid powertrain was added, giving the SUV an eCVT and electric motors. The 2026 Lexus RX 350h uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and three electric motors for AWD. This combination produces 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque, which seems dismal compared to the 2GR V6's output. A Four-Year-Old RX 350 Delivers Luxury Without New-Car Financial Pain Depreciation Works In Favor Of Used RX 350 Buyers Lexus The steepest depreciation hit for the Lexus RX 350 occurred during the first five years. During this time, the RX 350 loses 38.9 percent of its value, which then levels off over the next five years. This could make the 2021 RX 350 the sweet spot right now, especially if you want to avoid the extra costs associated with vehicle financing. The average price of a 2021 Lexus RX 350 is between $33,800 and $37,100, depending on the trim. The RX 350 Holds Its Value Better Than Many Luxury Rivals Lexus Most vehicles that have passed the ten-year mark don’t hold much value, but the RX 350 still retains a healthy percentage. That can mean treating the Lexus RX 350 as an investment when you choose a model with the Toyota 2GR V6 under the hood. Because that engine powers the RX 350, buyers who understand it won’t be thrown by high mileage if you need to sell your Lexus SUV down the road. The RX 350 Quietly Keeps Ownership Costs Reasonable Shared Toyota Parts Help Keep Repairs Affordable Lexus The shared parts are a major factor in keeping the previous-generation Lexus RX 350 affordable to maintain. While European luxury SUVs don’t share parts with many mainstream models, although you might find a few between Volkswagen and Audi, Japanese automakers typically share powertrains and other components from mainstream brands to luxury models.The previous-generation RX 350 received a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 from RepairPal, ranking it third among 14 luxury midsize SUVs for that year. It also has an average annual repair cost of $550, which is much lower than the class average. Toss in the low frequency of severe repairs, and you’ve got a proven winner. Reliability Helps Offset Luxury Ownership Anxiety Lexus The powertrain is the heart of any vehicle, and overcomplicating this part makes things troublesome for owners. The Toyota 2GR V6 engine makes all the difference in terms of ownership anxiety, compared to more complicated luxury SUVs. The strong reputation for affordable ownership and a legendary, durable engine make the previous Lexus RX 350 a bit of a legend in its own right. The Sweet Spot Is The 2018-2022 Lexus RX 350 These Model Years Avoid Earlier Reported Trouble Areas Lexus The sweet spot for a used Lexus RX 350 with the Toyota 2GR V6 engine and the least troubles is between 2018 and 2022. The previous generation dates back to 2016, but, like many first-year models, it had numerous reported issues. Many of those issues were not corrected for the 2017 model year but had been fixed by the time the 2018 version appeared. This makes the 2018–2022 models the desired years for the RX 350 with the legendary, durable Toyota engine.Considering this target, shoppers should expect to pay between $25,300 and $25,700 for a 2018 model, while 2022 models will cost between $37,600 and $40,700. The other three model years should fall within these ranges, giving you a wide selection of models and prices to choose from, with the incredible 2GR V6 engine under the hood. These Final V6 RX Models Could Become Increasingly Desirable 2022 Lexus RX interior shot showing screenThe last naturally aspirated V6-powered Lexus RX 350 models should age extremely well, especially as more buyers recognize the benefits of long-term durability over failing small parts in smaller engines that don’t hold a candle to the legend that is the Toyota 2GR V6. These V6-powered Lexus SUVs hit the nail right on the head, combining comfort, durability, and mechanical simplicity to make for one of the most appealing SUVs ever built.Sources: Lexus, iSeeCars.com, Kelley Blue Book, RepairPal
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