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As the popularity of the luxury SUV has continued to grow, so has the competition for dominating the market. There are a few clear leaders, but no one can argue how strong the Lexus RX is with consumers. What does the Lexus RX offer that keeps it at the top of all the review lists, and parked in so many consumer garages? We dove in to find out why Lexus continues to top in luxury SUV sales.

Proof in the numbers

Don’t take our word for it. The success of the Lexus RX is proven in the numbers. We found a report, analyzing the 2019 U.S. midsize luxury SUV sales across various models.

The Lexus RX doesn’t just lead the pack; it sells nearly double what the second and third place SUVs do. Based on this report, a staggering 96,967 Lexus RX units were sold. Over 10,000 were sold in November. The second-place BMW X5 shows 5,359 sold in the same month. The Acura MDX comes in third with a November sales total of 4,784. So, what does the Lexus RX have that others don’t?

The Lexus RX’s unique qualities

When Lexus introduced the RX in 1998, it broke the mold for luxury midsize SUVs. Lexus focuses on two fronts, performance, and comfort. In today’s market, the RX dominates and continues to offer the two most important consumer needs.

The base model is far from bland and offers more standard features than others in its class can offer as options. The F Sport version speaks to the performance loving consumer, and brings sport suspension, tuned steering, and sport interior trims.

Under the hood, both configurations rev with a 3.5-liter V6 and 295 horses. Married to the eight-speed automatic transmission, driving this gem feels like you’re behind the wheel of a hot knife cutting through soft butter.

What the experts say about the Lexus RX

In terms of reliability, the experts at Consumer Reports have given the Lexus RX five-star ratings from 2010 to 2018. Owner satisfaction ratings for the last ten years are high, too, all with four-star marks.

Edmunds calls the Lexus RX an ongoing quality build with a roomy and comfort-focused cabin. Others say the higher-quality cabin, more passenger room, and lower price points, make the Lexus RX a preferred buy over BMW’s X5 or X6. Cnet.com says this year’s RX gets a much-needed update to safety and dashboard tech. Thus, shoring up its only real shortcoming from last year.

A reliable ride, drive, and investment

The RX has proven itself over the years to be reliable all around. Owners love the low-maintenance ownership, and they really love how it drives. The higher seat positioning gives the feeling of command behind the wheel. The power and maneuverability make it fun.

Kelley Blue Book awards the 2019 Best Resale Value Award for the luxury SUV segment. The RX also wins the 2019 5-year Cost to Own Award in the same SUV class. These accolades alone reinforce the notion that the RX is a sound vehicle investment.

If you haven’t had a chance to be impressed behind the wheel of a Lexus RX, it’s worth adding to your to-do list this year. Take it for a spin and see what all the buzz is about, and you can discover first hand why it continues to dominate in luxury SUV sales.