When Lexus redesigned their luxurious midsize crossover RX model last year, they released it with numerous engines available, including a couple of hybrid options. Although not available for the 2023 model, Lexus recently announced that we’re getting another amazing option: the 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), which gives us the best of conventional performance and limited all-electric range. I love a good PHEV for exactly this reason: it’s a perfect middle-way between what we’ve known for decades and what the future holds, so if you’re not sure about whether an electric vehicle is right for you, then something like the RX 450h+ is the perfect test model to find out. Let’s take a look at what Lexus is bringing later this year and everything it has to offer.
Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain
At the forefront of this big announcement from Lexus is the powertrain—a RX PHEV is big news, and that all comes down to how it performs. The RX 450h+ is powered by a 2.5L I-4 engine paired with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery to create a hybrid system worthy of Lexus performance and style. This hybrid powertrain gets an estimated 83 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) in terms of fuel efficiency; this isn’t the actual fuel efficiency, but a measurement based on total energy consumption factoring in both gas and electric performance.
A more practical note is that Lexus estimates the RX 450h+ will get about 35 miles of range from a fully charged battery in electric-only mode. This means you can run some errands or go about your daily commute, as long as you don’t need to go more than 35 miles round-trip without ever touching your gas tank. It’s a great way to skip the gas pump, and it gives you a good sense of how well an all-electric model would fit into your lifestyle. This beauty comes with electronically controlled full-time all-wheel drive for a fantastic experience on the road that keeps you in control at all times.
The big difference between a PHEV like this and some other hybrid models is that it charges by being plugged into an external source, hence the name. Lexus provides a Level 1 charging cable with the RX 450h+ for 120V outlets, along with a Type 1 socket for at-home and public charging. They’ve developed a high-efficiency charging system to boost charging times, allowing for full charging of the battery in about two-and-a-half hours when using a 240V outlet and the standard onboard charger. This means you can charge it quickly and still enjoy an impressive total range while you get the most from this luxurious model.
Gorgeous Details Inside and Out
If you check out the standard Lexus RX, then you’ll find a number of different trim levels available; the RX 450h+ comes with the features found in the Luxury grade, which is a fantastic combination of standard and available options. On the outside, you’ll find a gorgeous overall design with a strong shape and low center of gravity, along with 21-inch wheels with a dark premium metallic finish. A single lens tail lamp wraps around the rear of the RX 450h+, giving it a bold look at night, and eight different exterior colors are available.
Moving inside the RX 450h+, what’s immediately striking is how the interior has been arranged around the driver, putting everything within easy reach and right at your sightline. The minimalist interior is a gorgeous combination of simplicity and elegance, with three different interior color options and two ornamentation styles available. You get perforated semi-aniline leather-trimmed seating, with heated and ventilated power front and rear seats, thematic ambient lighting, and a heated wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel. With the standard panorama glass roof, the cabin feels open and expansive, giving you an amazing feel from the first moment you get inside.
This gorgeous design is complemented by stunning technology, including a massive 14-inch HD touchscreen Infotainment display. The Infotainment system is easy to use with a combination of touch and physical controls, plus you get Remote Connect and Digital Key functionality through a Lexus app on your phone. A 10-inch Head-up display is standard on the RX 450h+, while an available Mark Levinson 21-speaker Premium Surround Sound system elevates the driving experience in this PHEV model even further.
Innovative Safety Technology
I love luxurious interior materials and impressive technology as much as the next person, but the most important thing to me is always how well a vehicle can help keep you safe. I love seeing what Lexus is doing with the RX 450h+ as a result because it comes with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 standard on every model. This includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Proactive Driving Assist that helps with braking and steering support, Road Sign Assist to help detect traffic signs, and a Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist. Lane Tracing Assist and All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management are also standard with this model to help keep you safe.
If you’d like to take safety even further, then there are a number of additional features available as extra options. These include Traffic Jam Assist, which allows for low-speed cruise control functionality to make time spent stuck in traffic less stressful. You can also get an Advanced Park with Remote Park system, which can help with both parallel and perpendicular parking; it even allows you to utilize these systems through your smartphone to let your vehicle handle parking jobs for you. All of this comes together to make the RX 450h+ one of the safest vehicles on the road, which is all I ever want.
Is the Lexus RX 450h+ Right for You?
With so much to offer, it’s easy to see why so many people are excited about the reveal and announcement of the all-new 2024 Lexus RX 450h+. The redesigned RX is already one of the finest midsize SUVs on the road, and this adds another amazing option for bold performance and incredible efficiency. If you’ve been interested in the new RX, but waiting to see what else Lexus has up its sleeve, then now is the time to act. Whether this one is right for you, or you prefer one of the other powertrains available, you can get an amazing combination of refined luxury and raw power in this crossover model, making it a remarkable choice. All you have to do now is decide on which version of the RX is right for you to ensure you get the features and options you have been looking for.
