While we test a bunch of new vehicles every year, there’s always a few standard ones that we pull up when we’re asked to recommend something. Safe bets – good, solid vehicles that seem to give little trouble and owners love them.

Just about any Lexus will do in that case, but with just about everyone looking for an SUV these days, an easy recommendation for us is the Lexus RX. For luxury buyers it’s a great vehicle with a sterling reputation for reliability, and for those moving up from brands like Toyota or Honda, it can mean attaining a long-held dream of having something really special.

And while Lexus does a great job of keep buyers in the fold, time and technology continue to move on, so we were excited to have a change at the 450h+ – all the goodness of the RX with the plug-in hybrid powertrain that many fuel and enviro-conscious buyers are gravitating towards.  Fully charged and ready to go? Hop right in!

Deliciously Lexus

First impression matter, and the RX makes a stunning one. On our tester it starts with a gorgeous silver color called Iridium that just shimmers in the light and even seems to have a bit of pale blue underneath. It looks gorgeous, and it really shows off the quality of the build – every panel, every line looks lovingly crafted to create a premium experience.

Lexus was one of the first to go with the oversize grilles, and we’ve come to appreciate the design. Our tester’s cheese-grater design looked suitably aggressive, while horizontal headlights, swoosh-shaped driving lights and a power bulge that folds seamlessly into the hood all show modern, crisp design. Interestingly, we usually get the F SPORT models which are overtly sporty – we kind of dug our tester’s more restrained style.

The profile lets you know this RX is still sporty, with muscular fender flares, a deep cut-in on the lower door doors, and a swept-back green house with a blacked-out C-pillar that pinches down and looks aero and tough. You probably know we’re over the blacked-out wheel look, so we enjoyed the bling of our tester’s massive 21-inch multi-spoke alloys – they really suit the color and the primo, luxury vibe of our tester.

The rear is also subtle and refined, with a slender horizontal LED light that spans the width of the tailgate, while a tasteful spoiler sits atop the rear window. L E X U S spelled out in block letters looks modern and crisp (the circular L logo is on the front grille, for those badge watchers), and a matching lower fascia finishes off the design. It’s a seamless, beautiful presentation – not shouty, but not a wall flower. It just oozes class and elegance.

First Cabin

The RX interior continues the theme – upscale, elegant, but not trying too hard to be flashy or over the top.

While this is a luxury vehicle, there’s a heavy emphasis on sport, with a driver-focused cockpit with a wide center console between the seats and dual displays that angle towards the driver, cocooning you in tech and control.

There’s a rich two-tone, with a light ivory on the semi-aniline leather heated and cooled front seats, as well as the door panels and center console. There’s an open-pore, matte finish wood trim on the wheel and console as well, that’s light in color and simply elegant and tasteful. Everywhere you touch are soft, high-quality materials – you feel that this is money well spent.

After you soak in the ambiance, the tech calls for your attention, with a standard 12.3-inch multi-information display that serves up key info as well as a map readout in a simple straightforward way. Adding to the functionality is an available Head-Up Display.

The big (literally) star of the show is the 14-inch touchscreen display, canted towards the driver to create a focused vibe. The wide screen serves up a variety of function, and our wireless Apple CarPlay, including WAZE maps has never looked better! While some of the climate controls are part of the lower portion of the screen, we like how Lexus has made the dual temperature controls as rotary knobs for quick access and were kind enough to provide an actual volume knob as well.

Lots of fun tech is along for the ride, including available cloud navigation that integrates with Google points of interest for faster search results, and a cool off-line mode that’s designed to detect a potential loss of signal and download applicable maps and services in advance.

We also liked the available Intelligent Assistant, that uses dual microphones, enhanced noise cancellation and seat detection for greater voice recognition. Just say “hey Lexus” and you can order up navigation, multimedia and climate control. You can even ask the car to turn on the heated seats or steering wheel. Lexus, you spoil us!

Below that is a stubby little shift lever, which we prefer a million times over the pushbutton affairs you find in high-end Acuras, and other key switchgear in piano black are close at hand.

The luxury continues throughout the cabin – indirect lighting serves as an expression of omotenashi. (providing meticulous service from the heart, without expectation of reward or recognition) Lighting from a palette of 64 colors and 14 themes can be selected to best match a driver’s mood and energy.

Those in back enjoy spacious room for three, and the 40/20/40 split seats were power folding on our tester, and it just makes setting things up for cargo that much easier. The cargo space is also impressive with the rear seats up, and the space is huge with only a slightly raised floor to house the batteries. Will most RX owners drag mountain bikes and muddy gear in their pristine interiors? Well, they have the room, that’s for sure.

Plugged-in to Performance

Driving the RX is more Lexus goodness. The RX model lineup starts with the base non-hybrid model which puts out a very respectable 275 hp from a turbo 4 cylinder. The hybrid line up starts with the RX350h with 246 horsepower, but adding the electric motor should make for similar performance, while the RX 500h bumps up to 366 horsepower.

The 450h like our tester is the only plug-in hybrid in the RX family, and it starts with a naturally aspirated, 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder. Add in 3 electric motors and power swells up to 304 horsepower. That means power is plentiful, and off the line the RX feels strong, and even at freeway speeds it has plenty of oomph for passing.

That bigger battery in the PHEV means you can get up to 38 miles in pure EV mode which is impressive, and even when that battery is deleted, the RX is thrifty, with a gas-only rating of 35 mpg. Towing is a strong 3500 lbs.

While we like the power of the RX450h that’s only part of the experience. This is a Lexus after all, and it’s impressively quiet, the ride is smooth, and especially in a non-F SPORT trim, the focus is on luxury. Overall, the RX is a sweet ride, making everything from the daily commute to a long road trip a pleasure.

Lexus likes to provide a full boatload of safety and driver assist features, so you feel well looked after.  

We especially appreciated the Full-Speed Dynamic Radar cruise control, that worked great in stop-and-go freeway traffic. The system now adds Curve Speed Management, which will aid to manage speed in curves when cruise control is engaged and may lower vehicle speed if needed. All in all, a relaxing, comfortable drive.

How Much to sit in the Lap of Luxury?

Well, this is the top-of-the-line of RX models, from a premium manufacturer – so be prepared to spend a bit. The base non-hybrid RX350 starts at $51,975 – for a luxury experience in a spacious, handsome SUV that’s strong value.

Hybrid buyers can start with the RX350h at $54,275, and that includes standard AWD, so it’s a small step up for that added efficiency. Our plug-in hybrid 450h is the most expensive RX available and starts at $71,860. 

Our tester was also well optioned, including Convenience Package ($1,420), Mark Levinson Premium Audio ($1,160), Advanced Park with Remote Park ($480), Power rear door with kick sensor ($150), Premium Paint ($500), Technology Package ($575) and a few inexpensive accessories. All totaled, including $1,450 for Destination, we rang the bell at $77,869.

For competitors we’d look at the Volvo XC60 T8 plug-in hybrid at $79,395 it’s a stronger performer and also handsome inside and out. We also like the BMW X5 xDrive 50e which has storming performance and is more of an enthusiast’s choice. It will set you back over $88,000 so it’s a significant step up in price. All deserve a test drive!

Smooth, serene, handsome and efficient, the 2026 Lexus RX450h+ is a delight in a 5-passenger luxury SUV!