The automotive industry is speeding towards electrification, but it is a gradual process. In addition to all-electric vehicles, manufacturers have introduced hybrid versions of existing models to their lineups, and the Lexus RX Hybrid is one such example. First introduced in 1998, the Lexus RX is a luxury crossover SUV that entered its fifth generation in 2022. The 2023 RX can be configured in 10 different ways, including five hybrid versions. The hybrid version combines a 2.4-liter Atkinson cycle engine with electric motors for a combined power output of up to 367 horsepower. For comparison, the ICE-only RX makes produces 275 horsepower through its 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Even though the top-of-the-line RX500h model has some impressive performance numbers, the RX is still a luxury vehicle more than a performance vehicle and this is reflected in how the chassis has been designed. The exterior has been completely redesigned for the new generation and the spindle grill is an even more prominent feature now. Since Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota, the RX shares a lot of characteristics with Toyota models in the same market segment, but dials the luxury features up a notch. Here are 10 things you should know about the Lexus RX Hybrid!
1 The Lexus RX Hybrid Packs Quite A Punch
The RX Hybrid can be configured in two ways. The 350h, along with the higher-spec Premium, Premium Plus, and Luxury variants, has a combined output of 246 horsepower thanks to the 2.4-liter engine paired with electric motors. This is also the most fuel-efficient and 'responsible' version. The top-of-the-line RX500h F Sport Performance version pairs a 2.4-liter inline-four engine with much more potent electric motors for a combined output of 367 horsepower going to all four wheels through Lexus' Direct4 system. The RX500h can also accelerate from 0-60 in about 5.6 seconds, making it the fastest of the bunch by quite a margin. It does cost a lot more than the others, though.
2 It Offers Excellent Fuel Economy
Fuel efficiency is one of the biggest reasons to get a hybrid vehicle in the first place, and the Lexus RX Hybrid does not disappoint in this regard. The RX350h versions have claimed ratings of 37 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, and the more powerful RX500h version is rated at 28 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. These are excellent numbers compared to the ICE version rated at 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway by the EPAfor front-wheel drive models, and the RX Hybrid even holds up against the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The RAV4 has ratings of 41 mpg city and 38 mph highway, but it is less powerful than the RX and doesn't compete in the luxury crossover SUV segment.
3 It Combines A CVT Transmission With All-Wheel Drive
Keeping the focus on fuel efficiency, Lexus has equipped the RX Hybrid with a continuously-variable transmission, or CVT. A common choice for hybrid vehicles, the CVT helps optimize power delivery from both the electric motor and engine thanks to the infinite number of gear ratios, resulting in improved fuel economy and performance. The RX Hybrid is also equipped with Lexus' Direct4 system, an advanced AWD available in a select few Lexus models. The Direct4 system electronically adjusts torque distribution up to 50:50 front-to-rear depending on the driving conditions, helping in improving stability and handling. Combine both of these features, and you get a vehicle that can drive really smoothly on the road.
4 Most Of The Lexus RX's Competitors Don't Offer A Hybrid Version
The luxury crossover SUV segment is getting quite competitive thanks to entries by all the big players you can think of, but the Lexus RX has a certain edge over most of the other contenders. Even though SUVs such as the Porsche Macan, the BMW X4, the Genesis GV70, and the Volvo XC40 are rated very highly and offer tons of impressive features, none of them have a hybrid version like the Lexus RX. This means that the Lexus RX Hybrid stands out in terms of fuel efficiency while delivering the same luxury features and comparable performance. If being fuel efficient and environment-friendly is high on your list of criteria for rating a luxury SUV, the Lexus RX Hybrid might be for you.
5 The Fifth-Generation RX Hybrid Has A Completely New Exterior Design
The Lexus RX entered a new generation in 2022 and the exterior has been completely redesigned. While it maintains the same form factor as before, there are subtle changes that give it a very different look and feel. The fifth-generation RX has the same overall length, but the wheelbase is now longer and measures 112.2 inches. The iconic spindle grill is also present, but it has been remolded into a new design element dubbed the 'spindle body' by Lexus. The hood has been lowered a bit, giving the front a pointier appearance, and the A-pillars have been moved back a bit, improving stability and emphasizing the shape of the hood and grill. Overall, the new RX has an aerodynamic look that is really pleasing to the eye.
6 It Offers A Very Luxurious Interior
Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota, and the RX is one of its most successful and important models, so it should come as no surprise that the Lexus RX Hybrid has a very luxurious interior. Lexus has upgraded the interior quite a bit for the new generation, and it appears more modern than before. The textured fabric sections on the upper door panels, rich-looking ambient lighting, and open-pore wood trim on select models add to the premium feel. The longer wheelbase provides more interior space and thanks to the size of the cabin, you shouldn't be starved for head or leg space in most cases. The Lexus RX is here to stay, and luxury is its hallmark.
7 The New Lexus RX Hybrid Has An Upgraded Infotainment System
The older-gen Lexus RX was notorious for having an unintuitive 'trace pad' to control the infotainment system, and Lexus has gotten rid of it. The fifth-generation RX Hybrid comes with a 9.8-inch touchscreen that can be upgraded to 14 inches if required. Large touchscreens are standard in new EVs and the RX Hybrid follows the same trend. The screen itself is angled a bit toward the driver and uses Lexus' latest software interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fully supported, and the infotainment system can be configured in a number of different ways if you want additional features such as navigation, a head-up display, and a Mark Levinson stereo system. In terms of looks, the screen is nestled into the new-look dashboard, giving it a more modern and striking look.
8 The Lexus RX Hybrid No Longer Offers A Third Row
One of the incentives for buying an SUV is that you can configure it with a third row of seats and fit more people. Unfortunately, that is not the case anymore with the new Lexus RX, including both the ICE and hybrid models. The RX is now offered exclusively as a two-row, five-seat SUV. An option with a third row of seats could still arrive, but not in the 2023 model year. If you owned an older-generation Lexus RX Hybrid with three rows of seats and were hoping to upgrade while keeping the same number of seats, you'll have to look elsewhere or wait it out in case Lexus does release an RX with a third row of seats.
9 It Is Priced Competitively In Its Segment
The RX is Lexus' best-selling model, and it appears that Lexus aims to keep that going with the pricing of the new models. The ICE-powered RX 350 starts at $48,950, while the base RX 350h hybrid version starts at $50,550. The top-of-the-line RX 500h F variant starts at $63,350. The RX competes directly with other luxury crossover SUVs such as the Genesis GV70 starting at around $44,000 and going up to almost $65,000, the BMW X3 starting at around $47,000 and going up to almost $62,000 and the Porsche Macan starting at around $58,000 and going up to more than $69,000. Bear in mind that none of these vehicles have a hybrid variant, so the Lexus RX Hybrid is uniquely placed in this segment and seems to be the perfect deal if fuel economy is a factor in your buying decision.
10 Lexus Has Also Revealed A Plug-In Hybrid Version Of The RX
In addition to the RX Hybrid, Lexus has also unveiled a plug-in hybrid version of the RX named the RX 450h+. The RX450h+ has a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated I-4 and an 18.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, a different choice from the nickel-metal hydride formulation used by the normal RX Hybrid. The RX 450h+ promises to offer at least 30 miles of electric range according to the WLTP cycle thanks to its battery and had a combined output of more than 300 horsepower for some impressive performance numbers. One defining feature of the RX 450+ plug-in hybrid is that if the battery is depleted, the car can switch to a normal hybrid vehicle with the engine and battery working in tandem, as opposed to some other plug-in hybrids where the car defaults to its gasoline engine when the battery is out of juice.