2026 vs. 2025 Lexus RX 350: What Changed for Duluth, GA Drivers

If you're weighing the 2026 Lexus RX 350 against the 2025 model at our Duluth dealership, here's what you need to know. Both model years share the same proven platform, powertrain, and dimensions. The 2026 brings a few thoughtful upgrades, mostly centered on convenience and packaging, but this is not a major redesign year.

We've compared the specs, features, and pricing so you can make an informed decision based on what matters most to your daily drive between Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, and Atlanta.

Quick Summary: The Bottom Line

The 2026 and 2025 Lexus RX 350 are mechanically identical. You get the same turbocharged engine, fuel economy, cargo space, and towing capacity. Here's what actually changed for 2026:

• Wireless phone charging is now standard across all trims (was optional on lower grades in 2025)
• F SPORT Handling and F SPORT Performance trims can now add the Appearance Package for more customization
• Safety and tech features are repackaged on upper trims, with wider availability of Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Change Assist, and Panoramic View Monitor
• Price increase of approximately $600 for the base RX 350

Everything else, from the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine to interior space, carries over unchanged.

What's New for 2026: The Real Differences

Standard Wireless Charging

The most practical upgrade for 2026 is wireless phone charging, now standard on every RX 350 trim. In 2025, this was optional or bundled into higher packages depending on the grade.

For tech-reliant professionals commuting from Flowery Branch or Auburn, this eliminates cable clutter. Drop your phone on the pad, and it charges while you navigate to your next meeting. It's a small convenience that adds up over thousands of miles.

F SPORT Appearance Flexibility

If you're drawn to the sportier F SPORT Handling or F SPORT Performance trims, 2026 gives you more visual customization. The Appearance Package, previously unavailable on some F SPORT grades, can now be added. This package includes:

• Blacked-out exterior styling (grille, mirrors, badging)
• 21-inch gloss black wheels
• Orange brake calipers for a performance look
• Dark interior accents with contrasting stitching

Available exterior colors for this package include Ultra White, Cloudburst Gray, Iridium, Incognito, and Caviar. It's aimed at buyers who want a more aggressive stance without sacrificing Lexus refinement.

Safety & Tech Packaging Updates

Both model years include Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 as standard. This suite covers pre-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert with steering assist, dynamic radar cruise control, and road sign recognition.

For 2026, Lexus made the following features more widely available on upper trims:

• Traffic Jam Assist (helps with stop-and-go traffic on GA-400 or I-285)
• Lane Change Assist (monitors blind spots during highway merges)
• Front Cross Traffic Alert (useful in crowded parking lots like Avalon or Town Center)
• Panoramic View Monitor with digital rearview mirror

In 2025, these features were available but required specific option bundles. The 2026 model standardizes them on Luxury and higher grades, simplifying the buying process.

Trim Lineup Stays the Same

Both years offer the following RX 350 grades:

• Standard
• Premium
• Premium+
• Luxury
• F SPORT Design
• F SPORT Handling
• F SPORT Performance (RX 500h only, but similar packaging exists for RX 350)

The structure hasn't changed. You're still choosing between comfort-focused trims and sportier F SPORT variants based on your driving style.

Performance & Efficiency: No Changes

Your commute from Duluth to Atlanta won't feel any different behind the wheel of a 2026 versus a 2025. Both deliver the same smooth acceleration, refined highway cruising, and efficiency that helps during those 30-minute drives on I-85.

The turbocharged four-cylinder produces strong low-end torque. That means confident merging and passing power without sacrificing fuel economy. For families heading to Lake Lanier or professionals navigating Gwinnett Place, the performance is more than adequate.

Size & Space: Identical Dimensions

Cargo room remains generous for grocery runs to the Mall of Georgia or weekend trips to the North Georgia mountains. The low load height makes it easier to lift strollers, sports equipment, or luggage. Rear legroom accommodates adults comfortably, which matters when you're carpooling from Johns Creek or shuttling family around town.

If you need to tow a small trailer or boat, both years offer an available 3,500-pound capacity. That's enough for a jet ski or utility trailer without strain.

Interior Comfort & Materials: No Major Changes

Step inside either model year, and you'll find the same level of Lexus craftsmanship. Standard features include:

• Heated front seats (ventilated on Premium and above)
• Power-adjustable driver's seat with memory settings (Premium+ and above)
• Dual-zone automatic climate control (tri-zone on higher trims)
• Heated steering wheel (Premium and above)
• Premium materials throughout the cabin (synthetic leather standard, genuine leather on Premium+ and above)

The cabin remains quiet, even at highway speeds. Lexus uses acoustic glass and sound-dampening materials to reduce road and wind noise. After a long day in Lawrenceville or Atlanta, the serene interior makes the drive home more relaxing.

Rear passengers get generous legroom and available heated seats on upper trims. The panoramic moonroof, available on most grades, adds an open, airy feel that families appreciate.

Safety Ratings & Reliability

Both model years share the same fundamental safety structure and earn strong ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. Lexus consistently ranks high in reliability studies, and the RX has a proven track record for longevity.

Standard safety features across both years:

• Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (pre-collision, lane keeping, adaptive cruise)
• 10 airbags including driver and passenger knee airbags
• Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (most trims)
• Automatic High Beams
• Tire Pressure Monitoring

Upper trims add features like Parking Assist, Rear Pedestrian Detection, and the Panoramic View Monitor mentioned earlier. These systems help in tight parking garages at Avalon or navigating crowded school pickup lanes.

Lexus backs both model years with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. Complimentary maintenance is included for the first two years or 25,000 miles.

Who Should Choose the 2026 RX 350?

The 2026 model makes sense if you:

• Want wireless charging without hunting for option packages
• Prefer F SPORT styling and appreciate the new Appearance Package flexibility
• Value having the latest model year for resale purposes
• Are buying new and the price difference is minimal compared to 2025 inventory

Families in Johns Creek or Grayson who plan to keep the RX for 5-10 years will appreciate the standardized features. Starting with the newest model year means you'll enjoy current tech longer before it feels dated.

Who Should Choose the 2025 RX 350?

The 2025 model is the smarter buy if you:

• Find a discounted price that outweighs the minor 2026 updates
• Don't need wireless charging (or don't mind using a cable)
• Want to save money without sacrificing performance, space, or core safety features
• Are comfortable with a model that's one year older but mechanically identical

Given that the powertrain, dimensions, and driving experience are unchanged, a well-priced 2025 RX 350 represents excellent value. You're getting the same luxury SUV at a lower cost.