Lexus RX 450h gives consumers the option of hybrid fuel economy

We tested the regular-length exemplary successful the basal trim, with a fewer options.

To accommodate the 3rd row, the RX’s assemblage was extended by 4.3 inches astatine the rear, and the tailgate solid was made much vertical to springiness the rearmost passengers decent headroom. But connected the regular-length RX models, the tailgate solid is sharply raked.

L models travel modular with seating for 7 – 2 successful front, 3 successful the mediate and 2 successful the rear. They tin beryllium configured for six radical by replacing the three-person second-row seat spot with a brace of captain’s chairs, which makes it easier to get into the 3rd enactment from the 2nd row.

Two years ago, each RX models got a flimsy makeover, with an updated grille, beforehand and rear fascias, and a caller modular 18-inch instrumentality design. The optional triple-beam LED headlights ($1,975) were besides redesigned.

Lexus says the driving dynamics were improved, arsenic well, and much modular information features were included.

The multimedia strategy was updated, and determination is an optional 12.3-inch interaction surface with a distant interaction pad that supports caller dependable and navigation features, including Apple CarPlay. The powerfulness rear hatch has an optional footwear sensor, included connected our RX 450h, to unfastened and adjacent it faster. 

There are 3 caller exterior colors for 2022: Cloudburst Gray and Iridium for each models, and Grecian Water, exclusive to F Sport models.

Standalone LED fog lights with cornering lights are present disposable connected each trim levels for $275 extra.

The RX lineup comes with premium amenities specified arsenic leather upholstery (first and 2nd rows only), and a agelong database of modular features adjacent connected the entry-level models.

Hybrid models travel with a operation of a gasoline motor and 2 electrical motors that unneurotic make 308 horsepower, yet execute EPA fuel-economy ratings of 30 mpg city/28 highway/30 combined. A continuously adaptable automatic transmission is standard.

During our weeklong test, driving astir 60/40 city/highway, we averaged 29.7 mpg.

The RX 450h all-wheel thrust is an electronically controlled strategy that automatically kicks successful the abstracted 67-horsepower electrical centrifugal for the rear wheels erstwhile needed to support going connected slippery surfaces. Otherwise, each torque goes to the beforehand wheels.

In our RX 450h, we had plentifulness of powerfulness from the motor and electrical motors, adjacent connected the upland roads we encountered connected a play household jaunt. Top velocity is 112 mph, and the RX 450h tin spell from zero-60 mph successful 7.9 seconds – not precisely sports-carlike, but decent for a household hauler.

The regular-length Lexus RX450h hybrid has 2 rosw of seating for up to 5 people.

G. CHAMBERS WILLIAMS III

Eighteen-inch wheels are standard, with 3 20-inch instrumentality designs available. Our tester, though, came with the peculiar 20-inch split-10-spoke alloy wheels with super-chrome machined finish, which were included successful the Luxury Package ($3,810).

Among different modular RX 450h amenities are keyless introduction with pushbutton start; a powerfulness tilt/telescopic steering column; 10-way powerfulness beforehand seats with powerfulness lumbar adjustments; leather-wrapped, three-spoke steering instrumentality with integrated audio controls; a nine-speaker premium Lexus audio strategy with eight-inch colour screen, outer radio, and auxiliary inputs (including USB); Bluetooth audio and telephone connections; and dual-zone automatic clime control.

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Gasoline-only models travel with a 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline motor with 290 horsepower and 263 foot-pounds of torque, connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Besides the prime of the gasoline-only oregon hybrid powertrain, the newest versions of the RX person blase safety, driver-assistance and convenience features that marque them among the best-equipped and safest Lexus inferior vehicles offered to date.

All models travel with Drive Mode Select, which gives the operator a prime of Normal, Sport and Eco driving modes. The main relation is to alteration the displacement points of the transmission to either maximize acceleration oregon substance economy. Normal is successful the mediate of the range.

The beforehand bucket seats were precise comfortable. A retention abstraction successful the beforehand of the halfway console country is cleanable for smartphones. There are 4 12-volt powerfulness outlets, including 1 connected the instrumentality panel, different successful the halfway console container (along with 2 USB ports), 1 astatine the rear of the halfway console (accessible to rear passengers) and 1 successful the cargo area.

There are 2 decent cupholders successful the halfway console tray. There are beforehand and rear representation lights, and a cargo-area light. The halfway console besides is lighted, including the cupholders, which was a bully diagnostic portion driving connected a road travel astatine night.

The 40/20/40 split-folding rear spot is astir arsenic comfy arsenic the beforehand seats, with plentifulness of legroom successful the 2 outboard positions. A smallish big oregon kid could beryllium successful the mediate position, but determination is simply a pull-down armrest determination that includes 2 cupholders and a retention box.

In the RX 450h, determination is 18 cubic feet of cargo abstraction down the rear seat, which expands to 55.9 cubic feet with the rear seatback wholly folded. The RX tin tow trailers weighing up to 3,500 pounds.

All RX models travel with Enform Safety Connect and Enform Service Connect complimentary for the archetypal 10 years of conveyance ownership.

The Lexus Safety System has specified features arsenic Pre-Collision Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and Auto Braking, utilizing audio and ocular alerts and automatic exertion of the brakes erstwhile a imaginable collision is detected. The strategy besides includes All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. 

Among different information features are 10 aerial bags including dual-stage operator and beforehand passenger; operator and beforehand rider genu aerial bags; beforehand broadside aerial bags; rear broadside aerial bags; and full-length roof-mounted side-curtain aerial bags for each 3 rows of seats. 

Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard, on with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist, traction control, Vehicle Stability Control, and Hill-start Assist.

To forestall accidental acceleration, the Toyota Smart Stop Technology automatically cuts motor powerfulness if the brake and accelerator pedals are pushed astatine the aforesaid time. There are besides progressive beforehand headrests and a rearview camera system, with an disposable Panoramic View Monitor.

Besides the 20-inch wheels, the Luxury Package brought a heated leather-and-wood-trimmed steering wheel, semi-aniline leather first- and second-row seats, manual rear doorway sunshades, LED ambient illumination, four-way powerfulness lumbar support, beforehand spot cushion extender, laser-cut grey Sapele wood with aluminum, and LED illuminated doorway sills.

A Navigation Package ($2,285) gave america the 12.3-inch display, Remote Touch Interface, precocious dependable control, Lexus Enform App Suite and Destination Assist, HD vigor with iTunes Tagging and more. There’s besides an disposable 15-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound strategy with Navigation ($3,365), not included connected our tester.

The RX has the Lexus signature spindle grille, on with L-shaped LED headlights surrounded by 18 idiosyncratic LEDs, utilized arsenic crook signals, and Intelligent High Beams.

Our 2022 RX 450h tester came successful the Eminent White Pearl exterior color. Total sticker terms was $57,680, including freight and options.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III person appeared regularly successful the Express-News since 2000. Contact him astatine chambers@auto-writer.com, oregon connected Twitter @gchambers3.

2022 Lexus RX 450h

The package: Premium, midsize, all-wheel-drive, four-door, five-passenger, V-6 gasoline/electric-powered-hybrid crossover inferior vehicle.
Highlights: This luxury crossover successful the hybrid mentation offers a assortment of high-tech features, on with decent substance economy, bully power, and tons of modular oregon optional amenities. A separate, longer model, called the RX 450hL, has 3 rows of seating and abstraction for up to 7 people. 
Negatives: Price climbs importantly with navigation and different extras.
Overall length: 192.5 inches.
Curb weight: 4,740 pounds.
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline, positive 2 electrical thrust motors.
Transmission: Continuously adaptable automatic.
Power: 308 HP. (hybrid, combined gasoline and electric).
Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.
Cargo volume: 18 cubic feet (behind rear seat), 55.9 cubic feet (rear spot folded).
Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds.
EPA substance economy: 30 mpg city/28 highway/30 combined.
Fuel capacity/type: 17.2 gallons, unleaded regular.
Base terms range: $48,020-$53,820.
Price arsenic tested: $57,680, including freight and options.
On the Road rating: 9.2 (of a imaginable 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; existent selling terms whitethorn vary.