The Lexus RX is one of the most popular mid-sized luxury crossover SUVs on the market, competing with crossovers like the Acura MDX, BMW X5, BMW X3, Mercedes M-Class, Volvo XC90, and Volvo XC60 among families interested in 5-7 seating SUVs. It’s a safe, safe SUV with a range of the latest active and passive safety features available, and consistently ranks as one of the vehicles with the lowest estimated driver death rates by the IIHS. In fact, the 4WD 2010-2011 Lexus RX joined the “zero list” of vehicles without any observed death rates in the most recent IIHS death rate study.

In other words, it’s a pretty safe and solid SUV. But what I was most interested in finding out about it was how well it did fitting a variety of car seats, including in 3 across configurations. Let’s have a look at how it did together. Keep in mind that these arrangements also apply to the Lexus RX hybrids such as the 450h.

Before doing so, though, it’s always important to think about best practices when considering which setups will work well for your family. I believe in rear-facing our little ones as long as we can  (ideally until 4!), and then harnessing them in a forward-facing convertible or combination seat (ideally until 8!), and then boostering them until they can pass the five step test for seat belt use with flying colors (which typically happens between 10 and 12). Essentially, keeping kids in safer configurations in car seats keeps them safer, and that’s what I’m interested in.

Keeping those ideas in mind, here’s what I found for 3 across compatibility in the Lexus RX going back through the last two generations of the SUV. It’s my goal to make this the most detailed 3 across car seat guide for the Lexus RX on the Internet, and I’ll add to it as I have more RXs available for testing. If you find the list helpful when shopping for car seats, you can shop through my Amazon link below.

2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Lexus RX (e.g., RX 350, RX 450h)

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Diono Radian RXT (x3).

Diono Radian R120 (x3).

Diono Radian R100 (x3).

Graco Contender (x3).

Graco Size4Me 65 (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

This current generation of the Lexus RX is 188 inches long and 74 inches wide, which is competitive among mid-sized luxury SUVs. The RX continues to have two rows of seats and a decent amount of side-to-side space for 3 across installations. As usual, using seat belts instead of LATCH straps and anchors will make seat installations and puzzling easier.

2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Lexus RX (e.g., RX 330, RX 400h)

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Diono Radian RXT (x3).

Diono Radian R120 (x3).

Diono Radian R100 (x3).

Graco Contender (x3).

Graco Size4Me 65 (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

This generation of the Lexus RX is 186 inches long and 72 inches wide, or 2 inches shorter and 2 inches narrower than the current generation. This means you’ll have a slightly more difficult time in installations, but it will still be comparable to the level of difficulty you’d face in installing seats in the average mid-sized car. Again, seat belt installations will be much easier than LATCH installations.

If you’re installing a Radian or RXT in a rear-facing position, you might want to invest in an angle adjuster to give you more front occupant room, especially given the shorter length of this generation of RX.

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If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.