2024 Lexus RX 450h+ Luxury AWD - Review by David Colman +VIDEO

Magnificence comes with sticker shock and alarming renewal fees

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

Lexus has always provided protective color for the enthusiast driver. They build exactingly crafted, enticingly beautiful vehicles that hide their performance potential behind the mantle of luxury. But if there was one thing you could always count on in any Lexus, it was the prominent location of the Drive Mode button. Up until recently, that crucial knob was conveniently located on the right edge of the instrument binnacle. So that when the corners came at you hot and heavy, you instinctively reached for the Drive Mode knob to swap from "Comfort" to "Sport."

But the RX 450h plug-in hybrid (+) I recently tested not only lacked a separate instrument binnacle, it also eliminated a physical Drive Mode button. I searched for it on the dash face, on the transmission tunnel, even on the stalks connected to the steering column - to no avail. Finally, admitting defeat, I resorted to the court of last appeal for all vehicle reviewers - the owner's manual. There, I discovered to my dismay that Lexus has capitulated to the prevalent cell phone menu mania and relegated Drive Mode to a series of screen choices you should never have to make in the heat of backroad battle.

And that's really a shame, because the latest version of the RX 450 is quite the backroad weapon - as long as you've dialed up "Sport" from the available settings before you set off on your drive. And you'll have to do this every time you restart the RX because it's logic circuit always resets Sport to Comfort. The reinvigorated RX in 450h+ AWD form proved itself worthy of staying with a BMW X5 or Audi Q5 thanks to its excellent balance, stout 304hp hybrid powertrain, and generously sized Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S (235/50R21) all-season radials. The best part of driving this RX on twisting back roads was its perfectly balanced steering feedback in Sport Mode. Throttle response is similarly immediate and gratifying because the RX hybrid posts a 0-60 mph run of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 124mph.

The 2.5 liter, gas fed, inline-4 cylinder engine makes 180hp at 6000rpm and 168lb.-ft. of torque at 3600rpm. When you add the power of 3 electric motor generators, total combined horsepower jumps to 304hp which is then distributed to all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission. The RX450h+ largely shares its drive train with the latest version of Toyota's Prius Prime. And like that Prius, the Lexus offers a plug-in receptacle located behind the right rear passenger door. When fully charged, the RX promises an electric-only range of 35 miles (compared to 46 miles for the Prius Prime). The RX utilizes a 6.6-kilowatt onboard charger that takes 2.5 hours to replenish the 18.1 kWh battery pack when using a 240-volt outlet. The EPA rates the hybrid RX at 83MPGe and 35 MPG when running on gas, and estimates you will save $3500 over 5 years in fuel costs compared to the average new vehicle.

However, you won't save nearly that much when you buy your plug-in RX Lexus. That's because the base price of the vehicle is a rather daunting $68,730, which seems pretty stiff when you consider that the Prius Prime Toyota retails for about half that price. Then too, you need to factor in the $5,675 worth of options that bumped the bottom line of our test RX to $74,405, with an as-delivered price of $75,755. Now granted, the interior treatment of this top echelon RX is fastidiously detailed and cultivated, with a cashmere-like creamy fabric adorning the door panels and ceiling, wood and leather trimming on all surfaces including the steering wheel, plus a vast panorama glass moonroof. The usual Lexus attention to detail is apparent in the two-stage steering wheel heater, and the three stage heaters and ventilators for the front seats. An especially welcome touch was electric activation for dropping the backs of the rear seats. When the rears are fully flattened, the diminutive RX affords a very useful 46 cubic feet of interior storage space - enough to lay my bike flat without hassle.

In addition to the sticker shock price of this RX+, there's also the fact that you're paying for a number of limited time services that will expire after the first three of years of ownership. You will then have to renew these services at a price to be determined later. Among them are the $1,420 "Convenience Package" which comes with a 3-year "trial subscription," to "traffic jam assist," and the $475 "Technology Package: Digital Key" which also runs for 3 years and will need to be renewed if you want to continue using your cell phone to operate your RX. It makes you feel like you're renting your own car instead of buying it. It's a disarming new trend, so be wary of what options you decide to "buy."

2024 LEXUS RX 450h+ AWD

ENGINE: 2.5 liter inline-4, DOHC plus 3 electric motor generators
HORSEPOWER: 304hp@6000rpm
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 83MPGe/35MPG (gas only)
PRICE AS TESTED: $75,755

HYPES: Immaculate Attention to Detail, Great Steering Feel

GRIPES: Fussy Shift Pattern, Useless Digital Rearview Mirror

STAR RATING: 8 Stars out of 10

©2024 David E Colman