Lexus RX 450h
The Lexus RX 450h successfully blended the comfort and utility of a luxury crossover SUV with the performance and efficiency of a hybrid powertrain. With standard all-wheel drive, the RX 450h featured a 3.5-liter V6 with three electric motors, one of which drove the rear wheels. Lexus offered the 2022 RX 450h in three trim levels, including the performance-oriented F Sport and the long-wheelbase RX 450h L, which had seating for six in three rows. All variants came well-equipped with an array of premium features, including Lexus' suite of advanced driver-assist systems.
Explore the evolution of the Lexus RX 450h
Get our expert take on used Lexus RX 450h models, or view year-by-year changes.
Fourth generation Lexus RX 450h
The completely updated Lexus RX 450h arrived in 2016 with an all-new look, highlighted by a very large grille and a more expressive design. Initially, the RX was a two-row crossover with seating for five. However, in 2018, Lexus introduced the RX 450h L extended-length version, which was about four inches longer, providing enough space for a third row but drastically reducing second-row legroom. In 2020, the RX 450h was updated to include a touchscreen infotainment display (a significant improvement over the Remote Touch version) as well as Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®.
Powering the RX 450h was a 3.5-liter V6 engine teamed with two electric motors—one added power to the front wheels, while the other operated as a starter-generator. All-wheel-drive versions featured a third electric motor to power the rear wheels, which were not directly connected to the gas engine. While it produced a respectable 308 horsepower, the hybrid was quite fuel-efficient. According to the EPA, the RX 450h got an estimated 30 mpg combined with front- or all-wheel drive.
Model highlights
Fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain
Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ standard (added in 2020)
Three-row long-wheelbase version available (added in 2018)
Performance-oriented F Sport available
Extensive standard driver-assist features (standard in 2017)
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2016 - 2022
2022 Lexus RX 450h
2021 Lexus RX 450h
2020 Lexus RX 450h
Highlights
Updated exterior styling
Updated infotainment system with available larger touchscreen
Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ standard
Learn more
2019 Lexus RX 450h
2018 Lexus RX 450h
2017 Lexus RX 450h
2016 Lexus RX 450h
Perry Stern has been writing about cars for almost 30 years and has been an enthusiast for much longer than that. Contributing to multiple automotive publications, Perry drives almost every new car on the market, ranging from base-level Kias to exotic high-performance Lamborghinis. But his favorite is still the 2006 Mazda Miata parked in his garage.
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