Is the Lexus RX 350 the same as the Toyota Highlander?
The short answer: no. The Lexus RX 350 and the Toyota Highlander are distinct model lines, built for different audiences, though they share some engineering underpinnings and family traits. The RX 350 leans luxury and sport-oriented design, while the Highlander emphasizes practicality and family versatility.
What they are and how they relate
Both SUVs come from Toyota’s broader family and share certain engineering foundations, but they diverge in purpose, seating, and styling. Here is a snapshot of their relationship and overlap.
The following list highlights key similarities between the two models:
- Shared corporate family: Lexus is Toyota’s luxury division, and both vehicles are developed within the same engineering umbrella.
- Common platform and architecture: Both have used Toyota’s TNGA-based platforms, enabling similar driving dynamics and drivetrain options.
- All-wheel-drive availability: Both models offer AWD for improved traction in varied conditions.
- Safety and driver-assistance tech: Each lineup includes modern active-safety features and driver-assistance systems, though the exact suites differ by brand and trim.
In short, the RX 350 and Highlander are not twins; they share lineage but diverge in styling, luxury, seating, and target buyers.
Key differences that matter to buyers
Beyond shared engineering, a few fundamental differences define which one might be right for a shopper. The list below lays out the main contrasts you’re likely to notice in day-to-day driving and ownership.
- Seating and room: The Highlander is a three-row SUV designed to seat up to eight (depending on configuration), prioritizing family space. The RX 350 is primarily a two-row luxury SUV, with the RX L variant offering a longer wheelbase that adds a third row but with limited space compared with the Highlander.
- Interior focus and materials: The RX emphasizes premium materials and quiet, refined ambiance typical of luxury brands. The Highlander delivers solid, family-friendly interiors with practical touchpoints and cupholders everywhere.
- Powertrains and performance: The RX 350 relies on a turbocharged engine in recent generations (with hybrid options available in the RX lineup). The Highlander offers a turbocharged four-cylinder and a holistic hybrid system, with a larger emphasis on efficiency and everyday practicality.
- Pricing and positioning: The RX 350 generally carries a higher starting price, reflecting its luxury branding and equipment. The Highlander targets value-conscious families seeking space and reliability.
- Variants and special models: Lexus has high-performance and luxury variants in the RX family (including hybrid and specialty trims), while Toyota’s Highlander lineup includes a robust hybrid option and, in recent years, the Grand Highlander—an enlarged, more spacious three-row option—alongside the standard Highlander.
Together, these differences explain why many buyers choose the Highlander for family-duty practicality, while others prefer the RX 350 for elevated styling, interior ambiance, and premium features.
What this means for buyers today
Choosing between the RX 350 and the Highlander comes down to priorities: luxury versus space, refinement versus value, and the importance of a third row. Consider these guidance points when shopping:
- If you need abundant third-row seating and cargo space for a family, the Highlander is typically the more suitable option.
- If you prioritize premium materials, a quieter cabin, and a luxury-brand experience, the RX 350 is the stronger match.
- For fuel efficiency and hybrid options, both brands offer choices, but the specifics (hybrid system outputs, EPA ratings) vary by model year and configuration.
- Advanced tech and safety features are abundant in both lines, but standard versus optional equipment will differ by trim and model year.
In practice, your decision will hinge on how you value seating capacity, interior ambiance, and budget, along with whether you prefer a luxury badge or a more family-focused Toyota badge.
Recent updates and variations worth noting
Several updates in recent years add nuance to how these two models compare, especially around seating, size, and powertrain options. The following subsections highlight important evolutions.
Grand Highlander: a larger Toyota option
Toyota expanded the lineup with the Grand Highlander, a bigger three-row SUV designed to compete with larger family crossovers. It offers more interior space and cargo capacity than the standard Highlander, along with turbocharged and hybrid powertrain options. This variant is still distinct from the Lexus RX in terms of branding and luxury emphasis.
RX lineup evolution
The Lexus RX family has grown to include multiple powertrain configurations beyond the base RX 350, including hybrid and high-performance variants. These choices emphasize luxury and performance, reinforcing the RX’s identity as a premium crossover rather than a primary family-hauler.
Summary
The Lexus RX 350 and Toyota Highlander are not the same vehicle, even though they share a platform and broad Toyota/TGN technologies. The Highlander focuses on practicality, space, and value with its standard three-row configuration, while the RX 350 prioritizes luxury, refined styling, and premium interior appointments. For buyers, the decision comes down to how much seating and cargo space you need versus how much you value upscale materials, quieter interiors, and brand prestige. Both offer modern safety features and efficient powertrains, with ongoing updates that keep them competitive in their respective segments.
