Is the Lexus RX 350 V-6 or V8?
The Lexus RX 350 is not powered by a V-6 or a V-8 in its current generation. Since the 2023 redesign, the RX 350 uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine, and there is no V6 or V8 option for the RX 350. Historically, earlier RX 350 generations used a 3.5-liter V6, but there has never been an RX 350 with a V8 engine.
To understand this question in more detail, it helps to trace the RX's engine evolution—from the traditional 3.5-liter V6 of earlier models to the newer, more efficient four-cylinder turbo and the hybrid variants that share that powertrain architecture. The absence of a V8 option on the RX 350 is consistent with Lexus’ broader strategy to downsize engines in its mainstream SUVs, reserving V8 power for other models.
Current powertrain landscape
The following outlines the engines that power the RX lineup today and how they relate to the V6/V8 question.
Before listing the configurations, note the primary takeaway: the RX 350 today uses a four-cylinder turbo engine, not a V6 or V8.
- RX 350 — 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine (not a V6 or V8)
- RX 350h — Hybrid variant combining the 2.5-liter inline-4 with electric motors
In short, the RX 350 is not a V6 or V8 in its current form; it relies on a four-cylinder turbo with optional hybridization. The brand previously used a V6 in earlier RX generations, but there has never been an RX 350 with a V8.
Historical engine trends
Looking back, the RX lineage did rely on V6 power before the redesign, and there was a hybrid variant that paired a V6 with electric motors in earlier models. However, there has never been a factory RX 350 model equipped with a V8 engine.
- Pre-2023 RX 350 — 3.5-liter V6 (2GR-FE)
- RX 400h (2005–2009) — Hybrid with a 3.3-liter V6 and electric motors
Conclusion: The RX 350 has never offered a V8 option. In its current generation, it uses a four-cylinder turbo engine, with hybrid variants available, while other Lexus models outside the RX family host V8 power when offered.
Summary
The Lexus RX 350 is not a V-6 or V-8 in its latest form. The current RX 350 uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4, with hybrid variants available, and there has never been an RX 350 powered by a V8. Historically, earlier RX generations used a 3.5-liter V6, but V8 power has not been offered on the RX line; buyers seeking V8 power should look to other Lexus models such as the LX or LC.
