We loved driving the Lexus RX 450h+, but we think the $70k price tag is hard to swallow.

Electric vehicles keep improving with each passing year, adding longer range and faster charging times. Despite this, we frequently hear from shoppers who believe they aren’t ready for the transition to full EVs, and instead want something efficient that still uses gasoline. Hybrid vehicles fill this gap perfectly. And for those who want something elegant and comfortable, Lexus offers a solution: Enter the 2024 Lexus RX 450h+, otherwise known as the 2024 Lexus RX Hybrid.

The 450h+ might be the most intriguing version of Lexus’ popular RX crossover. It pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 304 horsepower, making it the second most powerful RX variant behind the 366-hp RX 500h F Sport Performance.

Despite being down on power compared to the RX 500h, the RX 450h+ is the most expensive version, starting at $70,580. That substantial price is justified partially because the 450h+ comes with more standard features than any other RX, and it should lease well thanks to the $7,500 federal tax credit. To help you decide if the 450h+ is the right RX for you, we spent a week driving one.

Exterior: No Electric Weirdness

Spotting an RX 450h+ from a distance might be a challenge because, visually, it looks similar to the 350h. Aside from the obvious 450h+ badge on the back and two “ports” on either side – one for gasoline and one for charging – there aren’t any telltale signs that this is a different RX. It also gets a power moonroof as standard.

Every RX PHEV is based on the loaded Luxury grade, meaning it rides on 21-inch wheels with a dark premium metallic finish. Eight colors are available, including Eminent White Pearl, Cloudburst Gray, Iridium, Caviar, Matador Red Mica (pictured), Copper Crest, Nori Green Pearl and Nightfall Mica. We are partial to Copper Crest, but the Matador Red Mica on our tester does well to create an elegant yet sporty appearance.

Interior: Everything Included

Unlike other RX variants that offer an extensive menu of options and packages, the 450h+ comes mostly fully loaded from the word go. Semi-aniline leather seats come standard with heating and ventilation up front and for the back seats. The only available options are relatively inexpensive, adding features such as a 360-degree camera, traffic jam assist, digital key, a heated steering wheel, and a windshield de-icer across a few packages.

Buyers get a choice of three interior colors: Black with black black open-pore wood, Peppercorn with the same wood accents, and Macadamia with Ash Bamboo trim as pictured below, which we think is a rather opulent combination.

A 14-inch touchscreen comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; it’s easy to use and the lack of physical buttons is mitigated by dedicated space on the screen, meaning functions like adjusting the fan speed don’t require multiple menus.

Our lone complaint about the technology is levied towards the steering wheel controls, which feature touch-sensitive sensors that show each button’s functions on the head-up display. Conventional buttons are far less distracting to use, but the RX’s unique setup is far from a dealbreaker.

Practicality: Big And Comfy

With only 37.4 inches of rear legroom, the RX is at the lower end of the midsize luxury crossover segment. That being said, the back seat doesn’t feel cramped, and it’s packed with useful features like heated and cooled perches, USB-C ports, and rear sunshades. The RX 450h+ even gets power-folding rear seats that raise or lower with the press of a button, making it easy to flip the backrest or fold down the seats for more trunk space.

Like the rear seats, the trunk space is on the small side of this segment, with just 29.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 46.2 cubes with the seats folded. By comparison, the smaller Lexus NX Hybrid offers more space to pack people in the front row, and a smidge more cargo space with the seats folded:

• 

  
  2024 Lexus RX Hybrid
  

  RX

  Headroom Front|Rear

  37.6 inches | 37 inches

  Legrooom Front|Rear

  41.1 inches | 37.4 inches

  Cargo Space

  29.6 – 46.2 ft³

• 

  
  2024 Lexus NX Hybrid
  

  NX

  Headroom Front|Rear

  38.3 inches | 38.5 inches

  Legrooom Front|Rear

  41 inches | 36.1 inches

  Cargo Space

  22.7 – 46.9 ft³

Performance: Best Of All Worlds

Running on premium gasoline, a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine contributes 180 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. Combined with the electric motors, the total output is rated at 304 hp (no combined torque figure is published). This is the same setup found in the smaller NX 450h+ and the Toyota RAV4 Prime. An eCVT sends power out to standard all-wheel-drive, helping the 450h+ hit 60 mph in a reasonable 6.2 seconds.

An 18.1 kWh battery pack enables a 37-mile driving range on electric power, perfect for most daily work commutes. We observed 2.5 miles per kWh while driving in EV mode, meaning the electric range should be accurate based on the usable battery capacity.

Lexus quotes a two-and-a-half-hour charge time with the 6.6 kW onboard charger. Using our Lectron L2 home charger, we filled the battery from empty in two hours and 50 minutes, nearly matching the quoted time. Even when the battery runs out, the RX manages to be quite efficient.

Fuel economy is supposed to be good, and our observed 33.1 mpg on the highway confirms that the Lexus-estimated numbers are accurate in the real world.

Driving Impressions: EV Antidote

When we first sampled this powertrain in the RAV4 Prime, we noted its smoothness and effortless power, but complained about an unrefined engine sound during acceleration. For the RX 450h+, Lexus took this PHEV setup and perfected it. Extra sound deadening assures quiet and peaceful acceleration, even with a heavy throttle. In EV mode, the 450h+ is eerily quiet.

Driving on only electric power, the RX has enough power to keep up with traffic, but highway passing maneuvers will take longer than usual. When the gas engine kicks on, there is prodigious passing power that matches the V6 and V8 engines of yesteryear.

Ride comfort is a little more firm than we expected, but that’s part of the trade-off for an RX that no longer feels overly lackadaisical like the previous generation. The RX 500h delivers a sportier drive thanks to its more potent turbocharged engine and six-speed automatic transmission, but the 450h+ may hold the edge on smoothness.

Pricing & Verdict: A Pricey Stopgap

As mentioned earlier, the 2024 RX 450h+ is the most expensive version of the RX, though options can make the 500h F Sport Performance pretty similar. Although the 450h+ comes nearly fully loaded for $69,230 (excluding $1,350 destination), our tester had a few optional extras, bringing the price to $76,665, all in.

If you can take advantage of charging at home, the 450h+ makes sense as a comfortable luxury commuter. However, if you only drive short distances most of the time, there are plenty of great EVs available at this price point. Alternatively, buyers who can’t charge at home or travel on the highway frequently may be better off with the less expensive RX 350h that doesn’t require charging. The more powerful RX 500h F Sport Performance will suit those who want more than just a comfortable cruiser. If you plan to lease, the 450h+ should get a $7,500 credit to bring down your monthly payments.

The RX 450h+ makes a great case for PHEVs, with a smooth powertrain, competitive electric range, and stellar comfort; we just wish it was a little less expensive.

Related Test Drive

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