Lexus RX 450h Review

Looking for a hybrid SUV? The Lexus RX 450h might be your perfect fit—a spacious, luxurious, tech-filled ride that’s ideal for families or businesses.

If you're considering premium SUVs, you’ve likely got rivals like the BMW X5, Audi Q7, and Volvo XC90 in mind.

But the Lexus RX 450h stands out with its striking design, plush interior, and a driving experience that’s all about refinement and comfort.

Trim Levels and Models

For 2024, Lexus offers the RX 450h in four trims: Premium Pack, Premium Plus Pack, F SPORT Design, and Takumi.

All versions are powered by a 2.5-litre petrol-hybrid engine, delivering a smooth, self-charging hybrid system.

Exterior Design

The RX 450h's distinctive front-end is instantly recognisable with the Lexus spindle grille and sleek LED headlights.

Auto high-beams come standard across all trims, but if you opt for the F Sport or Takumi, you’ll get BladeScan adaptive high-beam tech, improving visibility at night by detecting pedestrians and road signs earlier. This feature is a solid upgrade for anyone regularly driving in dark conditions.

The side profile is clean and modern, with sharp lines that give the RX an understated elegance. Heated, auto-dimming mirrors are a nice touch, especially in the UK’s colder months.

For wheels, the standard RX Premium Pack offers 19-inch alloys 5-wide spoke, while the Takumi trim upgrades to dark premium metal 21-inch 20-spoke alloys.

Regardless of the wheels you choose, they help cushion the ride over potholes and speed bumps.

Colour Options

Lexus offers a range of paint colours, with the standard Graphite Black, Terrane Khaki, Mesa Red, and Deep Blue included.

Optional special metallic shades, like Sonic White, Sonic Copper, Sonic Platinum Metal, and more cost extra (around £250).

Rear and Boot Space

The rear of the RX 450h is just as refined, with roof rails included as standard.

Luggage storage is roomy thanks to a generous 461 litres of boot space—which extends to 621 litres with storage loaded to the roof. Rear seats folded allow for 1,678 litres of storage.

While not class-leading in boot space, the RX does offer sliding rear seats, allowing you to expand the boot further if rear passengers don’t mind sacrificing some legroom—a clever feature for those balancing passenger comfort with practicality.

What’s the Lexus RX 450h like to drive?

The 2024 Lexus RX 450h provides a smooth, comfortable driving experience with its light steering, responsive accelerator, and firm brakes.

It's designed to feel relaxed and easy to handle, making it ideal for daily commutes or long journeys.

The high driving position gives you excellent road visibility, enhanced by a wide windscreen and large door mirrors.

Tech on the Go

The RX 450h is packed with tech to assist you while driving. A head-up display projects key information like speed and speed limits directly onto the windscreen, reducing distractions.

The driver display is clear, with an additional smaller screen between the dials offering info on fuel efficiency, navigation, and media.

The 14-inch infotainment touchscreen comes with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside Lexus Navigation.

Although the touchpad can be fiddly to use, you can bypass it by simply using the touchscreen, or the integrated Lexus Voice Assistant.

The system is mounted high on the dashboard for easy visibility, although a slight angle towards the driver would make it even more user-friendly.

Interior Comfort and Features

The RX’s interior oozes luxury. The “Takumi” trim offers plush semi-aniline leather seats, wood inlays, and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson® Premium Surround Sound audio system.

The seats are highly adjustable, heated, ventilated, and perfect for long trips.

The overall design is minimalistic but elegant. The cabin is practical too, with a 3-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and well-placed storage options.

A wireless smartphone charging pad comes as standard, and there’s a handy compartment with USB ports and a 12-volt socket for charging devices.

Driving Modes and Ride Comfort

Four driving modes—Eco, Normal/Custom, Sport, and EV Mode —come as standard.

If you opt for the F Sport or Takumi models, you’ll also get adaptive variable suspension mode which adjusts the suspension and steering feel for a more dynamic drive.

In Eco mode, you’ll maximise fuel efficiency, while Sport mode offers sharper engine response when you need a bit more power, especially when accelerating from a junction.

EV mode allows short electric-only journeys, ideal for low-speed city driving, though the battery depletes quickly.

Panoramic Sunroof

Takumi models also come with a panoramic sunroof that adds an airy feel to the cabin.

While it stretches across most of the roof, only the front section opens, which might be a slight disappointment for those expecting a full retractable sunroof.

Storage and Practicality

Lexus has ensured that the RX is practical as well as luxurious.

Between the front seats, a spacious compartment offers plenty of storage for personal items, alongside additional USB ports.

The glovebox is generously sized easily fitting a 500ml bottle.

Overall, the RX 450h's interior is a high point, blending comfort, convenience, and tech to create a relaxing environment for both drivers and passengers.

How is the rear of the Lexus RX 450h’s cabin?

The rear cabin of the Lexus RX 450h is spacious and comfortable, accommodating even tall passengers with ample headroom and legroom.

Soft-touch materials add a luxurious feel, while the spacious seatback pockets and retractable privacy shutters enhance practicality.

Rear passengers benefit from heated seats (in the “Takumi” trim), rear USB ports for charging, and Isofix fittings for child seats.

The middle seat offers decent comfort, as there’s no elevated floor. Overall, the rear cabin is thoughtfully designed for comfort and functionality.

Powertrain and Performance

The RX 450h comes with a 2.5-litre hybrid engine, producing 309 bhp, paired with an automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive.

The car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.6 seconds. While the handling isn’t particularly thrilling, it does offer a smooth and relaxing driving experience.

Fuel efficiency isn’t at a strong point, with the RX offering around 44.8 miles per gallon, which is below average for hybrid. CO² emissions reach up to 143 g/km, placing the RX in a higher tax bracket, making it less ideal for company car buyers.

Lexus RX 450h Trim Levels

Premium Pack

Starting from £63,995, the 450h+ Premium Pack includes features like Automatic High Beam, Blind Spot Monitor, and the Lexus Safety System+. Additionally, it has Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Braking, making it a well-rounded option for safety and convenience.

Premium Plus Pack

For £69,495, the Premium Plus Pack builds on the Premium features by adding smooth leather seats, Power Back Door with kick sensor, Panoramic View Monitor, and Head-Up Display.

F SPORT Design

Starting from £69,995, the F SPORT Design trim offers sporty features, including 21” F SPORT Wheels, front and rear Black Window Frame mouldings, and a F SPORT-style grill blending sportiness with comfort.

Takumi

At the top of the range, the Takumi trim starts at £75,995. It includes Adaptive Variable Suspension for improved ride comfort, the BladeScan™ Adaptive High-beam System, a panoramic roof, and Auto and Remote Parking, maximising luxury and performance.

Lexus RX 450h Review: Should you lease one in 2024?

The 2024 Lexus RX 450h is a masterclass in comfort, refinement, and luxury. It may not have the flashiest tech or the most engaging drive, but that’s not its mission.

This SUV is for those who value smoothness, understated elegance, and rock-solid reliability.

If you're after a hybrid SUV that pampers rather than thrills, the RX 450h should be high on your list. However, if cutting-edge technology or dynamic handling is your priority, you may want to consider alternatives from Audi or BMW.

In essence, the RX 450h remains a strong contender in the luxury hybrid SUV segment, especially for buyers who cherish Lexus' unparalleled build quality and focus on comfort. For 2024, it’s as relevant as ever, but whether it's the perfect fit - depends on your driving desires.