I haven't been able to see the new 350 in person yet but I have a deposit on a copper crest exterior with birch interior premium +. I absolutely want the copper crest exterior. The dealership also has a luxury package vehicle on the way with all the buttons and bells I'd like to have but it has a black interior. I had a black interior years ago with my 2016 nx and felt it showed every speck of dust (I live on a gravel/dirt road in Alaska). But all the videos I've watch with black interiors on the new 350, it seems like the interior is more of a dark gray? Maybe it's just the way it looks in video with the lighting? Does anyone have that interior than can share? Maybe it's not as dark as the nx was? How badly does it show the dust? I will be trading in my 2019 rx 450h which has the bamboo interior. I really like the luxury package they are getting but an nervous I would hate the black again if it just looked dirty all the time. Opinions and advise appreciated.

 

My 350h has black interior. I quit doing light interiors long ago after my jeans left dye on the surfaces. I vacuum once a week and treat every other week and love it. It does show things like lint and as a cat owner, I can spot a cat hair in the passenger seat. If that is the worst, then life will be good.

Good luck on your choice.

 

I discovered that a Swiffer duster on the interior works well for picking up dust. Quick and easy.

 

I waited for 10 months last year to specifically avoid a black interior..

We have a 2022 NX350h and a 2023 RX350 both with Palomino interiors. We prefer this color the best and haven’t had a black interior since the 1980’s for the very reasons you mention.

My wife had an Acura RDX with Expresso interior that was too dark and had the poorly designed and implemented trackpad and infotainment system. I couldn’t wait to walk away from that vehicle and due to market conditions, actually made money that helped pay for the Lexus RX.

If it bothers you now, it will bug you every time you get in the car for the next “X” years you have it.

 

Wait…and your’e in Alaska?
The sand, the salt…you’ll see it all.

 

Black or any dark interior helps with less eye strain driving on sunny days.

 

They don't use salt on the roads up here but do use sand. AND....I live on a dirt/gravel road that I have to travel 2 miles down to get to highway. If the luxury one they had coming had the birch interior it would be a no-brainer. I really like the birch color but the luxury had some things that I really liked as well...but it is things that I have lived quite well without, so most likely will stick with the premium plus.

 

Dirt, gravel, sand - get the mudflaps.

 

We do have plenty of sun in the summer months (June, July - doesn't really every get dark in June) but we make up for it with months of darkness in the winter...so light or dark is ok either way. If the luxury was in the birch I'd jump on that one, but I'm just so hesitant with the solid black when I just didn't like it on the NX I had in the past. I was just hoping it might be a different shade of black in the interiors now that might not show the dust quite as badly.

 

I had the mud flaps on my NX and have them on my 450h, doesn't really seem to make a difference honestly. Or maybe it would just be a lot worse if I didn't have them?

 

As she stated, no salt used. It can get so cold that even salt water freezes. Heck, you'd be amazed how much traction a hard snow packed road has at -10. The pressure of your tires on the snowy road no longer creates a thin film of water between the tire and the snow. Spring was always the worst when I lived in the interior of Alaska. The very cold road surface could result in black ice when you'd never expect it.

 

Very true! I've had Lexus since my 2002 RX (which we still have, use it to loan to family when they visit), an NX, 450h and all have done quite well on the roads up here. I've actually pulled my husband's large Nissan work van out of a ditch with my RX! Get some good tires and they are golden! But, you just never know about the black ice...and of course the dark and the surprise moose.
!

 

I wouldn’t buy a car with a LIGHT interior! Blue jeans bleed and the leather picks up other dirt that doesn’t really ever remove. A dark interior stays new longer.

 

I saw a copper crest RX350 in person with the black interior and it looked sharp. I hope you've seen the copper crest in person too - that color changes depending on the lighting.

Like you, I also wanted a tan or beige interior but ended up changing to the RX350-F Sport so I bought the grecian blue exterior with black interior. As you mentioned, the black interior it is not jet black but it is dark - you could say it's a dark gray but it is definitely dark. The carpet and mats are black. I haven't driven it a lot yet to comment about dust on the interior, but there's maintenance to most interiors if you are particular about keeping it immaculate. As others mentioned, the birch or macadamia seats are prone to blue jeans and other clothing marking the seats. I suggest you note the headliner color and dash as well as the seats themselves so you make an informed choice. Most videos show the copper crest with black interior but here is one with a light interior so you can see what is light and what is dark on the interior - https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=...id:j7vJlSALEpY

 

You have a good point about the jeans and marks, I know the birch seats do have the black wood and dashboard. It's really really hard when you can't see either except in photos. We have only 1 lexus dealership in the whole state of Alaska and there are only 2 RXs allocated to the dealer with the copper crest which is my color of choice. I don't know if I should change my deposit over to the luxury or keep the premium plus. I have to decide if I want all the great options or the lighter seats. I'm sending my daughter in Florida to go look at one down there that has copper with black interior and have her give me her opinion. She knows my likes/dislikes. Neither of the Rx's will be here for several weeks at this point, but I need to make a decision as to which one to hold. Ugh...it's killing me!!!