2015 Lexus RX 450h TestDriveNow.com Video Review

2015 Lexus RX 450h Video Review by Auto Critic Steve Hammes

Lexus has no fewer than 6 gas-electric hybrids in their luxury lineup, 2 of which are SUVs and none of them as popular as this one. This is the 2015 RX 450h.

Back in 1998, Lexus was at the forefront of this luxury crossover SUV genre which has exploded since then and continues to grow today. The RX entry point is the 350 front-wheel drive with an MSRP of $41,720. All-wheel drive adds $1,400. But I’m spending the week with the hybrid – distinguished by its blue-hued badging and a lower case h.

Under the hood is 3.5-liter V6 – same size as in the RX 350 – but here, it’s been specifically tuned for hybrid operation. With one electric motor for each set of wheels fed by a nickel metal hydride battery pack, total system output in 295 horsepower.

When it comes to spaciousness the 450h doesn’t give up anything to the 350 with just right sizing for up to 5 and their gear. But there is a price to pay for this hybrid technology; an over $6,600 premium over the gas-only model.

This RX 450h AWD receives a 29mpg combined rating – that’s up to 9mpg better than the 350. Based on the EPA’s calculations, it’s likely you’ll save as much as $650 per year at the pump – it could even be more but the higher compression ratio on this Atkinson-cycle V6 means it wants premium unleaded while the 350 will happily run on regular. I averaged over 27mpg which included a lot of idle time. And this is a hybrid that can tow – up to 3,500 pounds.

There’s not much to report on the newness front for 2015, with the exception of these triple-split five-spoke 19” wheels and the pairing of the LED headlamps with matching LED fog lights – both part of the optional Luxury Package. This is something you’ll want if you find it difficult to drive at night because when you switch to high beams they are blindingly bright with a 180 degree spectrum – the best I’ve ever tested. It’s like you’re driving in full sun.

It’s evident that Lexus knows their stuff when it comes to this kind of SUV, having honed the RX over the past 15 years, creating a soothing, calm environment with uncomplicated, purposeful features.

The semi-aniline leather of the Luxury Package is incredibly soft, the cabin is quiet and clutter-free and the ride quality is buttery smooth. The kind of vehicle I could drive all day without any complaints; exactly what Lexus is all about.

Various driving modes include a Sport setting which affects steering effort, throttle mapping and transmission characteristics. It also glows red in the gauge cluster, as it takes the RX 450h from 0-to-60mph in 7.4 seconds. But accessing Sport, Eco and Snow is done electronically through the screen and not through a simple toggle. Forced EV electric operation can be used briefly.

Voice command technology in the RX is thorough but a bit clunky. If you’re using an iPhone 4S or newer you can also talk to it by pressing a separate button to connect to Siri Eyes Free. [demo]

I also wish Lexus would change this Atari-era sound they use for audible screen confirmation.

Lavishly trimmed like this one, the sticker price is $60,027. There’s little that’s cutting edge about the RX 450h at this point in its lifecycle, but it’s undeniably good at just about everything it aims to accomplish – using considerably less gas, displaying uptown style and leaving the stress at the door. It’s also tops in its segment in dependability.

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