There are some plusses and minuses with the new Lexus RX 450 hybrid, but it remains a top pick with luxurious refinements and a plush ride. For starters, the new hybrid is 4.3 inches longer than its predecessor with much of that space benefiting rear-seat passengers.
Pros: Whisper quiet cabin, hybrid efficiency, quick off the line
Cons: Gaudy front snout, tedious controller, no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
The 2018 hybrid boasts a lower sticker price than last year's model. Good news for the price-conscious, but it comes with less equipment — namely no navigation, blind spot monitor or heated ventilated front seats.
But for those who want the acclaimed hybrid power train, the near $50,000 price tag is worth considering along with a few options to personalize.
For a mid-size luxury SUV, Lexus has long held the lead with the RX model while a new 350L three-seat version was introduced this year.
Our test car for the week was the RX 450h which has just one trim level with an available F Sport package. As such, the F sport on our SUV has its own styling cues, suspension and rides lower to the road. It also is carried on 20-inch alloys instead of standard 18-inch wheels.
Three electric motors connected to front and rear wheels add horsepower to a gas-driven V6 engine for a total of 308 ponies, enough to walk away from its sibling 350. From a dead stop to 60 miles per hour, our hybrid clocked 7.4 seconds.
Since you buy a hybrid for its fuel economy, the 450h all-wheel-drive delivered 31/28 city/highway fuel economy in our test driving. That compares with the 19/26 for the gasoline model. Of course, to get the full advantage of hybrid mileage you need to conserve on acceleration. In other words, no more jack-rabbit starts.
Cargo space is just slightly less than the non-hybrid version at 56 cubic feet with second row seats folded and 18 cubes with rear seats in their upright position. The Lexus can trailer up to 3,500 pounds with an available towing package.
Interior cabin treatment is exquisite with soft leather surrounding form-fitting seats for extra comfort. Cabin materials are top notch and there are a few cubby holes around the center console for storing smaller items. We did notice one larger storage bin below the gear shift on earlier hybrids is closed off in this year's model.
While the RX 450h is not considered a performance car, there is piped in sound to seem like one. F Sport trim also includes tuned variable suspension with front and rear dampers, aluminum pedals, shift knob and meters, heated and ventilated front seats a tunable Sport Plus mode, an aggressive front fascia and paddle shifters.
Add in a color heads up display, navigation with an extra wide display screen, a power panoramic roof, triple beam auto leveling headlamps and the F sport takes on a high level of sophistication.
Outside sheet metal is sculpted with abrupt lines and curves that have replaced the egg shell body of earlier Lexus RX models. For all around driving, the Lexus SUV is dressed to the nines while delivering a compliant ride in a comfortable cabin.
Contact independent automotive columnist Len Ingrassia at lenscarcorner@comcast.net.
What was reviewed:
2018 Lexus RX450h
Engine: 3.5-liter V6; 3 electric motors
EPA rated mileage: 31 city, 28 highway, 30 combined.
Assembled: The RX450h is assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing facilities in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. U.S./Canadian parts content, 35 percent. Major source of foreign parts, Japan, 55 percent. Country of origin, engine and transmission — Japan.
Crash test ratings: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the 450h with five stars overall, its highest rating with five stars in side impact collisions and four stars in frontal crash rollover protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) selected the RX as a Top Safety Pick for 2018 and awarded the SUV its highest rating of “Good” in moderate and small overlap frontal collision for driver side (passenger side was not rated), five stars for side impact, roof strength and whiplash protection from rear impact. The IIHS also awarded a "Superior" rating for the Lexus standard front crash safety system.
Warranty: 4-year/50,000 mile basic; 6-year/70,000 mile powertrain; 8 year/100,000 mile hybrid battery and components, first and second scheduled maintenance
