2017 Lexus RX 450H

The boldly styled Lexus RX 450h provides luxury, comfort, and practicality with parsimonious fuel consumption, low running costs, and strong resale value. As with the standard RX, without the RXh’s time-proven success, it’s doubtful we’d have the likes of the Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid, Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, BMW X5 xDrive40e, or any other luxury hybrid crossover.

For 2017, all RX 450hs gain the Lexus Safety Sense+ suite of active safety features as standard equipment. This includes radar cruise control, automatic high beams, head-up display, lane-departure alert, and emergency autonomous braking. Also, select RX 450h trim levels now include rear cross traffic alert with braking, and Lexus’s Intelligent Clearance Sonar, which combines rear parking sensors with emergency autonomous braking to prevent low-speed rear collisions.

The powertrain of the RX 450h features a 3.5-litre V6 engine with Atkinson Cycle that’s paired with an electric motor and CVT transmission. This combination produces 308 net horsepower and 247 net lb-ft of torque, which makes for a swift and smooth acceleration. The RX 450h is rated at 7.7 L/100 km city and 8.2 highway, and thanks to a dedicated EV Mode, it can be driven for short distances solely on electric power.

Despite the RX 450h’s battery packs, it is able to carry the same amount of cargo space on board – 610 L behind upright rear seats and 1,329 L with the rear seats folded. The RX 450h is also able to tow as much as the standard gas-powered RX 350 – 1,585 kg (3,494 lbs).

The RX 450h is available in four trims including the standard model, Executive, Executive Plus, and F Sport Series 3. (There are no Series 1 and 2, in case you were wondering.)

Standard equipment includes a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, heated leather and wood-wrapped steering wheel, perforated leather upholstery, 10-way power adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, reclining rear seats, dual-zone climate control with automatic air recirculation control, 12.3-inch display with navigation, 12-speaker premium audio system, in-dash DVD player, reverse camera, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, LED-illuminated scuff plates, tonneau cover, proximity key with push-button start, front and rear parking sensors, electrically heated windshield, power moonroof, rear spoiler, 20-inch alloy wheels, aluminum roof rails, premium LED headlamps, premium LED taillights, cornering lights, LED fog lights, headlamps washers, rain-sensing wipers, power folding exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, emergency autonomous braking, radar cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams.

The Executive Package adds 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound audio system, hands-free power tailgate, wireless device charging, panoramic glass roof, 360-degree parking camera, power rear-seat recline, and power folding rear seats.

The Executive Plus Package adds dual 11.6-inch rear entertainment system screens with wireless headphones and a 120-volt power outlet.

F Sport 3 includes all the equipment of the Executive Package and adds sport-tuned adaptive dampers, 20-inch F Sport alloy wheels, Sport S+ Mode and Custom configurable drive modes for the drive mode selector, F Sport mesh grille and body kit, F Sport steering wheel, and alloy pedals.

The RX 450h starts at $70,250 and tops out at $78,700 for the Executive Plus.