2021 Lexus RX 450h Review

　　

2021 Lexus RX 450h Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　Toyota and Lexus are pioneers when it comes to the early adoption of hybrid technology. Back for the 2006 model year, Lexus debuted the first luxury hybrid, the RX 400h. Today, that lineage continues with the 2021 Lexus RX 450h. In those intervening years, the RX hybrid has steadily improved and proved itself both powerful and dependable. The competition has also caught on and developed their own fuel-sipping alternatives.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lexus RX 450h 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$159/mo  for RX 450h Base

　　RX 450h Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) (Most Popular) - $47,920 MSRPF SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $51,400 MSRPF SPORT Handling 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $53,720 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　This year, the Lexus RX 450h receives just a few updates and remains an excellent choice among hybrid SUVs, but it's not the best. It's outshone by the larger Acura MDX Sport Hybrid as well as plug-in hybrids that include the BMW X3 xDrive30e and the Audi Q5. It's still a close battle among all of these hybrid SUVs, however, and we recommend checking all of them out to see which best suits your needs. And check out our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth evaluation on this year's RX 450h.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the RX 450h drive? The RX 450h feels good on the road, with easy effort steering and even quicker pickup than the non-hybrid models. And thanks to a well-tuned brake-by-wire system, the RX 450h is capable of surprisingly smooth stops, which can be a real weak point for hybrid vehicles. It's not only quicker than the non-hybrid RX 350, but it also delivers a smoother driving experience overall. That's a double win.

　　Our instrumented test numbers confirm the 450h is sufficiently quick, clocking 60 mph from a standing start in 7.3 seconds. But that does put it a few car lengths behind Volvo's potent hybrid SUVs. Suspension updates for the 2020 model year make the RX 450h feel a bit more agile and nicely counteract the added weight from the batteries and hybrid components.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the RX 450h? Comfort has always been an RX hallmark, and the 450h largely continues to deliver on that promise. The front seats are wide and accommodating, but the cushions feel a bit flat. Our car also didn't have the nice four-way adjustable lumbar we experienced in other models. The second-row seats are pretty comfy too, and they have the ability to recline.

　　The suspension does a good job of taking the edge off rougher road surfaces and bumps, but the hybrid's added weight produces more residual motion after the 450h hits a bump, making for a floaty ride. The cabin is well insulated from traffic and wind noise as well as tire drone, and the silence of the hybrid powertrain only adds to the serenity. You'll never have to raise your voice to have a conversation.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The interior feels luxurious and roomy and will accommodate the tallest of drivers. Visibility can be an issue in parking lot scenarios since the corners of the RX can be hard to judge if you don't have the optional 360-degree camera. It's not an issue if you do, though, and we'd recommend selecting that option.

　　We appreciate that there are quite a few clearly labeled buttons around the cabin. We also appreciate the improvements Lexus has made to its infotainment system, replacing the joystick-style controller with a touchpad and adding a touchscreen interface. The location of the touchscreen makes it a bit of a reach for anyone, but it's better than not having that functionality.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Lexus' Mark Levinson stereos are always a high point, and the big infotainment screen is crisp and appealing. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration operates elegantly for the most part, though some of our Android users experienced issues with apps missing and sometimes had no functionality at all. Bluetooth works well, though, and charging options are available for the first two rows with a generous six USBs total.

　　The adaptive cruise system works well even in stop-and-go traffic. It's a bit conservative about following distance, but it doesn't panic when cars change lanes ahead of you. Most other systems are similarly strong, but the lane keeping assist was a little hyperactive and sometimes would ping-pong back and forth within the lane.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The RX 450h's trunk offers a decent amount of storage — 16 cubic feet — even if it's not nearly as roomy as some other midsize SUV trunks by the numbers. And with 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, this luxury SUV has the flexibility to carry an assortment of goods. It's even rated to tow 3,500 pounds, which, though far from class-leading, is enough for a small trailer with a motorcycle or two.

　　Passengers get a fair amount of well-thought-out storage for personal items, even including a cupholder whose depth can be adjusted for taller mugs. There's also ample room for installing a car seat thanks to the large door openings and plenty of rear legroom.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The RX 450h gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined (31 city/28 highway), which is pretty stellar. Our best tank in mixed driving came in at 25.7 mpg, while the run on our 115-mile evaluation loop yielded 25.1 mpg. That's better than most non-hybrid SUVs and about where the Volvo hybrids are rated. But it's pretty disappointing compared to expectations.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the RX 450h a good value? Fit and finish on the RX 450h leaves very little to be desired, both inside and out. It's unlikely you'll come in contact with something other than leather or soft-touch plastics, demonstrating a level of attention to detail that many manufacturers lack. Our well-equipped test car came in just over $60K (MSRP starts around $47K), which is still a good value considering other luxury hybrid SUVs begin in the mid-$50Ks.

　　As with other RX models we tested, we weren't overly impressed by the fuel economy we observed in the 450h. But Lexus' warranties are good for the class, and roadside assistance is offered for four years with unlimited miles.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　The RX has visual personality with its swoopy bold styling and oversized grille. But like a kitty cat in a tiger suit, the Lexus oversells its ferocity a bit. It's a competent and comfortable vehicle to be sure, but it's not one we'd seek out for thrills behind the wheel. Others in this segment are simply better dynamically on road or more capable off-road, which just leaves the RX sitting pretty in the middle of the road.

　　

Which RX 450h does zzdcar recommend?

The base RX 450h gets our recommendation since the F Sport's performance gains are minimal and many of the interior features are available in other packages or as stand-alone options.

　　Of those options, the navigation system with its larger screen and apps is a worthy add-on.

　　

2021 Lexus RX 450h models

The 2021 Lexus RX 450h is available in base and F Sport trims (technically, the F Sport is an option package). Both are powered by a 308-horsepower hybrid powertrain that uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine. All-wheel drive is standard. Feature highlights include:

　　Base RX 450h

　　Comes standard with the typical features expected from a luxury SUV, such as:

　　Keyless entry and ignition Power liftgate Dual-zone automatic climate control Simulated leather upholstery 8-inch touchscreen Nine-speaker audio system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Amazon Alexa integration Six USB ports Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite of advanced safety features: Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the RX 450h and the car in front) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Lane keeping assist (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Automatic high beams F Sport

　　Sharpens handling and adds sporty-looking touches that include:

　　Larger wheels Sport-tuned suspension dampers Unique exterior and interior trim elementsThe F Sport Handling package further improves handling and comfort with:

　　Adaptive suspension Heated and ventilated front sport seats Heated steering wheelOther bundled options include:

　　Premium package

　　Driver-seat memory functions Wood interior trimLuxury package

　　Larger wheels Leather upholstery Wood and aluminum interior trim Wood-trimmed heated steering wheel Rear window sunshades Interior ambient lightingSeveral stand-alone options are also available:

　　Navigation system with: 12.3-inch touchscreen 12 speakers Streaming internet radio and convenience apps Touchpad controller Satellite radio Auto-leveling headlights Panoramic sunroof Hands-free liftgate Heated and ventilated front seats Heated rear seats Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Wireless charging pad 15-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Front and rear parking sensors with rear automatic braking

　　

2021 RX 450h Highlights

Trim: BaseF SPORTF SPORT HandlingBase

　　

Base MSRP	$47,920
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$159/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles