Since its debut in the late 1990s, the RX has been a cornerstone of Lexus’ global success. It gave the brand a solid foothold in the luxury SUV segment and became an ambassador for hybrid tech at a time when competitors were still wary of electrification. Over time, this line has grown on that same formula or even with the RX500h, but always sticking to the “regular” hybrid formula that Toyota/Lexus know so well. Now, with the “+” standing for the presence of the plug, the 450h+ builds on that legacy offering enough EV-only range to cover most daily commutes without a drop of petrol. It’s Lexus’ way of bridging heritage hybrids with a more electric future, and the execution is remarkably polished.
Visually, the RX remains very much a Lexus. The spindle grille, once polarising, has matured into something more subtle, with elements now body-coloured to soften its presence. Slim LED headlights sharpen its gaze with a lot of smarts as part of the auto high beam system, and the hidden rear wiper is a small but clever touch that keeps the tailgate design looking clean. Colour is another Lexus specialty—what they do with silver paint deserves applause. It’s layered, reflective, and almost liquid-like, showing how even a “safe” shade can look properly premium.
Step inside and the brand’s reputation for interiors becomes crystal clear. The materials are nothing short of superb: plush leather that my bottom ranks among the most comfortable in the industry, suede details in tasteful spots, and open-pore wood used not just as a trim flourish, but in high-contact areas like the steering wheel and the centre console. It’s luxurious in a way that feels authentically Japanese, more crafted than just styled.
The cabin layout is practical too. The central armrest opens from both sides, revealing deep storage, while cupholders, hidden cubbies, and an array of USB ports make day-to-day life easy. The boot is spacious and clever, albeit tall due to batteries and underfloor storage for cables, and the split rear seats move up and down electronically for longer loads. Ambient lighting adds a soft glow at night, elevating the premium feel without going over the top.
The RX runs the latest Toyota Connect system, here presented on a massive central display. It’s fast, intuitive, and consistent with what you’d find across the Toyota-Lexus range, but in this application it gains EV-specific screens for energy flow and charging. You get the novel push-to-open doors that make for a super gracious movement to get in, but people I took on rides consistently struggled to get out – it takes some getting used to.
Another thing that needs some acclimatisation are the steering wheel touchpads, but now that I’m used to them, they cut down on button clutter while still giving you control over everything you need – and having redundancy display on the HUD is genuinely helpful. The Mark Levinson audio system delivers excellent clarity, though bass lovers may find it a little restrained, as it’s usual with these setups. The phone projection, now fully wireless, is flawless and feeds information from more apps than before to the centre cluster and heads up display, making the whole implementation even easier to live with.
In terms of the mechanical hardware, this is where Lexus really nails it is the plug-in hybrid system itself. The 2.5L four cylinder is as ubiquitous as engines get, but now with 18.1 kWh on board, you get a genuine EV experience for up to 65 km. Crucially, the RX behaves like a true EV during that time—it won’t default to petrol power, even under heavy throttle, until the range hits zero. That’s a master stroke, and it makes city driving incredibly satisfying without the need to feather the throttle.
In hybrid mode, the RX blends the two powertrains with typical Lexus smoothness. It’s quick enough for overtakes, and the car always feels responsive, using EV torque to fill whatever gaps are there in power delivery – a bit of a novelty in the Toyota hybrid world. Paddle shifters that double as regen control and as actual gearbox control show impressive attention to the use cases and add a surprisingly engaging layer to the driving experience.
On top of that, the system gives you total control, too: auto mode for seamless transitions, pure EV mode, or a force-charge mode that uses the petrol engine to refill the battery. The latter is impressively effective, but comes at a cost: the four-cylinder engine gets loud and coarse when it’s tasked with charging, and refinement dips noticeably, bringing those less-than-amazing 4 cylinder sounds rushing into the cabin. In my opinion, this is totally acceptable, as PHEVs are at their best when you have the discipline to not need this feature all that frequently. Still, the speed at which it replenishes the pack is impressive (even better considering there is no DC fast charging).
The RX 450h+ is at its best when it leans into its EV side. Around town, it’s nimble, silent, and effortless. It will get you to motorway speeds and maintain it with zero issues, and is happy to take it as slow as you want – it feels much more cruiser than canyon carver. The suspension favours comfort but never feels sloppy, and steering is light and dead yet accurate. Lexus has struck a balance that suits the RX perfectly, it’s a luxury SUV that feels calm and capable in every scenario.
This is a showcase on just how far Lexus has come with electrification, feeling like more than just a hybrid with a plug. It gives drivers control, prioritises refinement, and offers an authentic EV experience for everyday journeys, with the security of petrol power for longer trips. Yes, the forced-charge mode gets noisy, but the overall execution is nothing short of masterful considering how much freedom – and overall range – it gives you.
If you’re looking for a luxury SUV that blends traditional Lexus comfort with the added element of electrification, the RX 450h+ might hit that sweet spot feeling immensely more upmarket than the cheaper PHEV SUVs while still undercutting the German offerings. Lexus has long been the benchmark for refined hybrids, but this is the first time the brand has gone all-in on plug-in technology. For someone like me, familiar with Toyota’s hybrids but new to their PHEVs, it’s a fascinating glimpse of where the brand is heading. Does it simply extend the Lexus comfort formula with an electric twist, or does it further your view of what a luxury PHEV can be?
Thanks, Lexus, for the opportunity, and thank you for reading this far!
