2027 Lexus RX 350 Performance & Fuel Economy
The 2027 Lexus RX 350 reaches 60 mph in 7.2 seconds with all-wheel drive and 7.6 seconds with front-wheel drive, and returns an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined with all-wheel drive or 25 mpg combined with front-wheel drive.‡ Power comes from a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four rated at 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
| Specification | 2027 Lexus RX 350 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L turbocharged inline-4 |
| Horsepower | 275 hp |
| Torque | 317 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Eight-speed Direct Shift-8AT automatic |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive standard, all-wheel drive available |
| 0–60 MPH | 7.2 sec (AWD) / 7.6 sec (FWD) |
| EPA-Estimated Combined MPG | 25 mpg (FWD) / 24 mpg (AWD)‡ |
| Required Fuel | Premium unleaded, 91 octane or higher |
| Maximum Towing | 3,500 lbs, properly equipped§ |
‡ EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.
§ Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.
Cited Source: Lexus USA Newsroom — 2027 Lexus RX 350 engine, transmission and drivetrain specifications | Lexus.com — 2027 RX 350 acceleration, fuel economy, fuel-grade and tow package specifications
How the 2.4-Liter Turbo Makes Its Power
The RX 350’s turbocharged four-cylinder reaches its output through several engine technologies rather than displacement. A center injection system supports more stable combustion, lightweight spherical lipless pistons suit high-speed combustion, and a continuously variable capacity oil pump adjusts discharge volume to running conditions. That 317 lb-ft of torque arrives low enough in the rev range to make the RX 350 feel unhurried on grades, which matters for drivers heading toward the foothills around Corona.
The transmission is a short-ratio eight-speed Direct Shift-8AT, with a shift control program tuned for smooth acceleration and deceleration rather than aggressive gear hunting. It is a conventional automatic, not a continuously variable transmission. If you want to see how the powertrain pairs with the rest of the package, our overview of 2027 RX interior and technology features covers the cabin side, and you can check what is on the ground right now in our new Lexus RX inventory.
Cited Source: Lexus USA Newsroom — 2027 RX 350 engine technologies and Direct Shift-8AT transmission
Front-Wheel Drive vs. All-Wheel Drive
Both drivetrains use the same engine and transmission, so the choice between them comes down to traction and a small efficiency trade. All-wheel drive is four tenths of a second quicker to 60 mph and costs one mpg in each EPA measure.
| Specification | RX 350 FWD | RX 350 AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L turbocharged inline-4 | 2.4L turbocharged inline-4 |
| Horsepower | 275 hp | 275 hp |
| Torque | 317 lb-ft | 317 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Eight-speed Direct Shift-8AT | Eight-speed Direct Shift-8AT |
| 0–60 MPH | 7.6 sec | 7.2 sec |
| EPA-Estimated City | 22 mpg | 21 mpg |
| EPA-Estimated Highway | 29 mpg | 28 mpg |
| EPA-Estimated Combined | 25 mpg | 24 mpg |
| Estimated Annual Fuel Use (15,000 mi) | ~600 gallons | ~625 gallons |
| Maximum Towing, Properly Equipped | 3,500 lbs§ | 3,500 lbs§ |
‡ EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.
§ Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.
Cited Source: Lexus.com — 2027 RX 350 EPA-estimated fuel economy and acceleration by drivetrain | EPA fueleconomy.gov — independent confirmation of the same 22/29/25 FWD and 21/28/24 AWD ratings for the identical 2.4L turbocharged RX 350 powertrain
2027 RX 350 Fuel Economy and Running Costs
The front-wheel drive RX 350 carries an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined. All-wheel drive models are rated at an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined.‡ Across 15,000 miles a year, that works out to roughly 600 gallons for front-wheel drive and roughly 625 gallons with all-wheel drive — a difference of about 25 gallons annually, which is worth weighing against how often you actually need the extra traction. For commuters running the valley routes around Menifee, highway mileage does most of the work, and the RX 350 is strongest there at an EPA-estimated 28 to 29 mpg.
Fuel grade matters on this powertrain. Because the RX 350 is turbocharged, Lexus requires premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher, and notes that performance will decrease if premium fuel is not used. This is not the same guidance Lexus gives for its naturally aspirated hybrid engines, so it is worth confirming whether your Lexus requires premium gas before you fill up.‡
‡ EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.
Cited Source: Lexus.com — 2027 RX EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings and required-premium-fuel footnote | EPA fueleconomy.gov — premium gasoline fuel type and matching ratings for the identical RX 350 powertrain | Lexus Owner’s Manual — RX fuel octane specifications by powertrain
Towing With the 2027 Lexus RX 350
Properly equipped, the 2027 Lexus RX 350 is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.§ That rating comes with the available Kick Sensor with Tow Package, which adds a tow hitch receiver alongside a power rear door with kick sensor. On the gas RX 350, the package is offered on the Premium, Premium+, Luxury, F SPORT Design and F SPORT Handling grades. A 3,500-pound ceiling suits a single-axle utility trailer, a small boat or personal watercraft, or a pop-up camper rather than a travel trailer.
Because the rating depends on the vehicle being properly equipped, the number on a window sticker is not automatically the number on the lot. Ask our team which RX 350 in stock carries the tow package before you plan around it.
§ Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.
Cited Source: Lexus.com — 2027 RX Kick Sensor with Tow Package contents and grade availability
Common Questions About 2027 Lexus RX 350 Performance
What fuel grade does the 2027 Lexus RX 350 use?
Lexus requires premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher for the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine in the RX 350, and notes that performance will decrease if premium fuel is not used. The published 275-horsepower output and the EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings are both achieved using premium fuel.
What towing capacity does the 2027 Lexus RX 350 offer?
When properly equipped with the available Kick Sensor with Tow Package, the 2027 RX 350 is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.§ The package includes a tow hitch receiver and is available on the Premium, Premium+, Luxury, F SPORT Design and F SPORT Handling grades of the gas RX 350.
§ Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.
Cited Source: Lexus.com — 2027 RX required-premium-fuel footnote and Kick Sensor with Tow Package availability | Lexus Owner’s Manual — RX fuel octane specifications by powertrain
Drive the 2027 Lexus RX 350 at Temecula Valley Lexus
The 2027 Lexus RX 350 pairs 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque with an eight-speed automatic, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds with all-wheel drive while returning an EPA-estimated 24 to 25 mpg combined.‡ Whether front-wheel drive efficiency or all-wheel drive traction fits your week better is a question best answered from the driver’s seat, and our team can set up both.
Visit us at 42081 DLR Drive, Temecula, CA 92591, or call our sales team at 951-297-3896 to schedule a drive. For cross-shoppers, it is also worth weighing the RX 350 against the BMW X5 before you decide.
‡ EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.
Disclaimers
‡ EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.
§ Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.