2022 Lexus RX 450h SUV

　　

2022 Lexus RX 450h Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　Hybrid luxury SUVs seem to come and go, but the Lexus RX hybrid has been going strong for 15 years. Today's RX 450h is a descendant of the original RX 400h, the first luxury hybrid vehicle when it debuted for the 2006 model year. The 2022 Lexus RX 450h is more powerful, refined and efficient than that original, and it's popular enough with Lexus customers to have outlasted several competitors that have vanished from the market.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 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) - $48,720 MSRPF SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $52,200 MSRPF SPORT Handling 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $54,520 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Given the RX hybrid's steadfast availability over the years, perhaps it comes as no surprise that few changes accompany the five-passenger midsize crossover SUV for the 2022 model year. Fresh exterior paint colors and a new interior hue make news, and foglights are now available as a stand-alone option for 2022. The limited-production RX 450h Black Line returns, but Lexus plans to build only 400.

　　If you like the idea of getting high fuel economy for a luxury SUV and want to learn more about the 2022 RX 450h, be sure to consult our test team's full Expert Rating below.

　　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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below