2021 Lexus RX 450hL Review

　　

2021 Lexus RX 450hL Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　Seating for seven people? High fuel economy? These are normally two qualities that are hard to find in one vehicle and yet the 2021 Lexus RX 450hL (mostly) pulls it off. The 450h designation means this is the hybrid version of Lexus' midsize SUV. It gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is well above average for this class of vehicle. Then there's the L designation at the end, indicating this is the longer, three-row RX version.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lexus RX 450hL 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

　　$165/mo  for RX 450hL Base

　　RX 450hL Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) (Most Popular) - $51,310 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $57,310 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Unfortunately, that third row is quite cramped and best left for occasional use by small children. The RX 450hL also suffers from a lack of cargo space and a suboptimal infotainment interface that's distracting to use while driving. Still, it will be hard to find a similar mix of luxury, fuel economy and passenger capacity elsewhere. Plug-in hybrid versions of the Lincoln Aviator and Volvo XC90 will be your best bet for a roomier SUV, but know that they're considerably more expensive.

　　

Which RX 450hL does zzdcar recommend?

The RX 450hL is only available in a single trim level, though we suggest opting for at least the Navigation package for its upgraded infotainment system and premium audio system.

　　

2021 Lexus RX 450hL models

The Lexus RX 450hL is a three-row luxury hybrid SUV with seating for six or seven passengers. It uses a 3.5-liter V6 paired with a hybrid powertrain to produce a total of 308 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is standard.

　　Standard features on the RX 450hL include:

　　18-inch wheels LED headlights Keyless proximity entry with push-button start Power-adjustable front seats Simulated leather upholstery Leather-wrapped steering wheel Dual-zone automatic climate control Six USB ports 8-inch touchscreen display Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Nine-speaker sound systemAlso standard are these advanced driver aids:

　　Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Lexus and the car in front) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the RX 450hL centered in its lane) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)Notable options include:

　　Luxury package 20-inch wheels Leather upholstery Heated and ventilated front seats Heated second-row outboard seats Rear door sunshades Upgraded interior trim Ambient interior lighting Heated steering wheel Navigation package Upgraded audio system Navigation 12.3-inch touchscreen display Upgraded LED headlights Wireless device charging pad Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)

　　

2021 RX 450hL Highlights

Trim: BaseLuxuryBase

　　

Base MSRP	$51,310
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$165/month
Seating	6 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	7.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles