2022 Lexus RX Hybrid

The Lexus RX hybrid is a slightly greener take on an already laid back, luxury midsize SUV. It has a bold exterior aesthetic that juxtaposes the plush cabin quite well. But it has more than just good looks; the V6 engine under the hood works in tandem with electric motors to deliver a combined 308 horsepower to all four wheels, which is more than enough to get the hefty crossover moving around town. This powertrain also returns some decent fuel economy figures. Available as either a five- six-seater, the RX offers a fair amount of passenger and cargo space, and loads of features to keep everyone safe and happy. But the competition in the USA is stiff, to say the least, with competent rivals like the Volvo XC90 Recharge and Toyota Highlander Hybrid drawing a lot of attention away from the Lexus.

The Lexus RX Hybrid looks amazing on paper, and in person, too. However, once you get behind the wheel, the rose-tinted glasses fall away. Sure, it has a spacious cabin when configured for five passengers, thanks to generous interior dimensions, but it's less comfortable in 6-seater configurations. The tech is amazing, too, with loads of safety and infotainment features to play around with, including power seating, dual-zone climate control, a nine-speaker sound system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an eight-inch LCD display, and Lexus' Safety system 2.0+, which is standard across the range. And, although there is no comprehensive review for the Lexus RX Hybrid in terms of safety from the NHTSA or IIHS, gas-fed derivatives received a Top Safety Pick award for 2020 and 2021 from the IIHS from its reviews. The hybrid did at least score five stars for safety from the NHTSA for the side-impact test.

On the negative side, standard trunk space is barely adequate, losing out in comparison to competitors like the Toyota Highlander. And, while a 308-hp engine sounds good, true performance is not at all exciting. It takes somewhere around eight seconds to get to 60 mph and there's a mediocre top speed of 112 mph; while it never feels lacking, it's just rather bland, overall. Still, it can tow 3,500 pounds of weight behind it when properly equipped, which isn't bad for a hybrid vehicle.

If you just want a comfy commuter for hauling the kids around town, then it fits the bill quite nicely, thanks to an absorbent suspension setup and a good reliability rating from J.D. Power. It is lighter on fuel than many of its rivals, with gas mileage estimates of 31/28/30 mpg, so you'll save more in the long run. But, if you want a car you can actually take pleasure in piloting, some rivals may be more deserving of a test drive.

The base price of the Lexus RX Hybrid is not oppressive considering the long-term savings in fuel. The entry-level RX 450h opens bidding at $48,020 in the US, while upgrading to the three-row 450hL adds $3,390. The more athletic 450h F Sport has a sticker price of $51,500 but it still isn't the most expensive option. That honor goes to the special F Sport Black Line Edition, which asks for an investment of $55,790 in three-row form. These prices are MSRP and do not include tax, registration, or the $1,075 destination fee. Once you start opting on some of the more desirable packages, such as the Premium or Luxury packages, you can expect costs to soar.