The Lexus RX 450h is one of the carmakers top-selling luxury AWD SUVs on the market and its PHEV system enhances its popularity

It’s one of the country’s best-selling luxury AWD vehicles, and as such, you see a lot of them on the roads. What we speak of is the Lexus RX AWD SUV. 

I must be up front here, my wife owns an RX 350 and loves it. It’s the best car we’ve ever owned. But I promise to not be partial, and give an honest review. 

RX’s are offered in RX 350, RX 350 Premium, RX 350h (hybrid), RX 350 Premium, RX350h Premium, RX 350h Premium Plus, RX 350 F Sport Handling, RX 350 Luxury, RX 350h Luxury, RX 500h F Sport Performance and the RX 450h Plus Luxury that we were privileged to test. With this extensive array of choices, there has to be a model that would make you very pleased with your selection. 

The RX 450h PHEV tested, was a plug-in that with a full charge will deliver about 35 miles of all-electric range. That’s sufficient for trips to the local grocery store or to nearby Home Depot/Lowe’s. And it can be charged by a 110 outlet. It couples to a 2.5-liter 4-cyliner that generates 304 total system horsepower. This couples to a CVT automatic transmission. 

Aside from its striking exterior that cannot be confused with any other SUV, the RX’s interior is posh and living room comfortable. The front heated/cooled front seats are soft and nicely supportive. And their tiny ventilation holes have eye-grabbing diamond patterns. 

Perched atop the dash, that’s even with the top of the dash so it doesn’t interfere with visibility, is a huge 14-inch high-def touchscreen that serves a host of apps that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Wi-Fi, 4G connectivity, rearview and revolving cameras, HVAC selections, Auto Park function and many more. Since most selections are made on the touch sensitive display, it momentarily takes the eyes off. But after acclimating to its operation, selections can be made quickly. 

On the other side of the dash is a large single vivid gauge cluster that includes a driver information display for features, functions and alerts. Situated on top of the steering wheel hub is a driver attention sensor that gives warnings if turning the head away from center. There’s also a digital rearview mirror that can be switched to a traditional view. 

RX 450h’s interior door handles are unique in that a light push on the handle and the door partially opens. A nifty touch on this luxury SUV.

A stubby gear selector for the CVT transmission is flanked by a wireless phone charger along with an EV switch for an all-electric power jaunt. 

After a low 19-inch step-in into the back seats, ingress/egress is easy thanks to wide opening doors. Rear seats are also heated with separate HVAC controls located at the back of the console. The transaxle hump is low allowing for a third or middle seat, short-legged rider. The seats like the fronts, are sofa soft and comfy with good leg and headroom. 
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Back in the cargo area and with the rear seatbacks upright there’s 29.59 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 41 inches deep, 44 wide and 28.5 high. Flip the seats and cargo capacity increases to 46.19 cubic feet for 72 inches of cargo loading depth. Lift-over into the area is an easy 30.5 inches. And the liftgate can be opened by merely waving a foot under the rear bumper
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RX 450h is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that when combined with the electric system has a total system output of a peppy 304-hp that earns EPA mileage estimates of 83 MPGe or a combined city/highway, or a gas only 35 city/highway MPG. Coupled to a CVT transmission, the RX 450h does a 0-60 sprint in 6.2 seconds. And it carries a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. As said, using the PHEV system it has about a 35-mile all electric range. As for the electric system, in can be fully and quickly charged on a 240-volt Level 2 charger in about 2.5 hours. So powered the RX 450h has good linear acceleration and passing power. There’s certainly no want for power. 

Like all Lexus vehicles, the RX 450h rides heavenly and hush quietly on 21-inch Bridgestone tires. It’s a smooth, comfortable ride in city and over highway jaunts. And it parks easily with a tight 19.4-foot curb-curb turning radius. 

Price wise, RX 450h started life at $68,730 with a long list of standard features and safety features such as Lexus 3.0 Safety System, Pre-collision system w/pedestrian detection, radar cruise control w/curve speed management, lane departure alert w/steering assist, blind spot monitoring w/rear cross traffic alert and more. 

On the options side, cold area package/windshield wiper deicer, ($100), convenience package ($1,420), triple beam LED headlamps ($1,565), premium Mark Levison audio ($1,160), advance park w/remote ($480), power rear door-kick sensor ($150), premium paint ($500), digital key allows locking/unlocking and starting the RX with your phone plus digital rearview mirror ($475), carpeted cargo mat ($150), illumination package w/lighted door sills ($760), mudguards ($165), side puddle lamps ($175), and delivery ($1,350) took the bottom line to $77, 265. 

To its credit, the RX 450h has good resale value, low maintenance, miserly fuel economy and is a top IIHS Top Safety Pick. The RX 450h is all encompassing and makes a great family vehicle. We have no complaints with ours. 
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The RX 450h is covered by a 4 year/50K mile basic warranty, a 6/70K powertrain and an 8/100K covering the hybrid components. In addition, all RX models get a 1/10K mile complimentary service plan.