I have some more driving to do with the 2021 Lexus RX 350 AWD F Sport. I’m stilling getting to know this luxury SUV, and few things about it are a little odd. The Lexus RX 350 isn’t strange in a bad way. It just has a few interesting features to learn about. 

The 2021 Lexus RX 350 takes getting used to 

I’m in a 2021 Lexus RX 350 AWD F Sport for the week. That’s a lot of letters and numbers to remember! But it means that this model has a 3.5-liter engine, all-wheel drive, and the F Sport package. The Black Line package includes black accents like the grille, tires, interior, etc.

The F Sport adds features like 20-inch wheels, scuff plates, aluminum pedals, front and rear performance dampers, and external mirror memory. Other available options such as a wireless charger, panoramic parking view monitor, color head-up display, and the Black Line grille increase the MSRP to $60,330. Now let’s cover what’s odd. 

1. The Lexus RX 350 F Sport interior feels mismatched 

The interior of the Lexus RX 350 is astonishing. Car and Driver agree that it’s crafted with high-quality materials for a sense of luxury, comfort, and convenience. The massive leather seats and soft-touch materials are incredibly upscale. 

But the F Sport seats and aluminum racer pedals don’t seem to match. The white stripes on the sides of the seats don’t go with the dashboard, which includes an analog clock and a CD player. It’s like racing elements were thrown into a luxury SUV. 

Other vehicles like the Volkswagen Atlas hid the CD player in the glove box. Everyone keeps calling this the old person option. But why would a luxury option for older people have modern racing elements? Also, I dissed the analog clock too hard. It’s actually pretty neat and illuminates at night. 

2. The RX 350’s Eco Mode doesn’t feel eco-friendly 

The 2021 Lexus RX 350 has three driving modes, including Normal, Sport, and Eco. The Eco Mode helps the driver accelerate in an eco-friendly manner and improves the fuel economy via moderating the throttle characteristics and by controlling the operation of the air system. 

While driving in Eco Mode, this RX 350 still feels incredibly fast and sporty. The Lexus RX 350 gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and up to 27 mpg on the highway. I averaged about 23 mpg while driving up from Rock Hill, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. 

I found that the Sport Mode stiffens the suspension, but it doesn’t make the ride too harsh. The handling is very responsive, and the brakes are confident. Normal Mode provides a nice relaxing balance of both worlds. Eco Mode provides the smoothest ride and the quietest interior. 

3. The Lexus RX 350 includes a first aid kit 

I’ve never seen a vehicle include a first aid kit. But you can find one in the rear of the 2021 Lexus RX 350 AWD F Sport. It’s in a leather pouch, and it’s velcroed to the side of the trunk area. 

Other things with the Lexus RX 350, like the wireless phone charger, color head-up display, and heated side mirrors, make sense. The first aid kit includes tweezers, a magnifying glass, gauze, and more. At least if something happens while you’re in the Lexus RX 350, you’ll be prepared. 

I’m still discovering everything there is to know about this luxury SUV. I’ll tell you all about its pros and cons in a few days. My first impressions include comfort and a sporty performance while the tech seems a little outdated.