The 2022 Lexus RX450h is arguably one of the most boring cars on the road today, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Consider a Lexus continuous customer. They enter the brand as an affordable luxury brand, find an experience of ownership that they enjoy, then rinse and repeat. Seriously, more than 50% of Lexus buyers remain loyal to the brand.
For those who trade in Lexus every few years, a big leap in styling and technology is not always expected. These customers are likely to appreciate that the model sticks to its core competencies and has subtly improved over the years. RX is a child of that kind of iterative poster. It has become a typical Lexus.
The RX 450h is motivated by a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated hybrid V6 engine that produces 308 horsepower and 247 pound-foot torque, combined with an electronically controlled CVT transmission with a fairly pointless paddle shifter. I am. Being a CVT, the shift is simulated and the paddle does nothing to make the RX feel sporty, so I say it’s pointless. All-wheel drive is standard on the F Sport hybrid, the version I’m testing here.
The 450h performance is perfectly acceptable. That’s not what you call athletic, but the RX Hybrid doesn’t have a hard time achieving highway speeds in a reasonable amount of time, and the drivetrain as a whole is very smooth. Being a Lexus hybrid, the RX450h is also quite efficient. During my testing, I easily matched the EPA’s 30mpg total rating.
In general, adding non-sports goodness is the soft, obedient suspension and direct but over-communication steering. The RX 450h drives like a medium-sized luxury SUV without pretending to be a real sport. And despite the launch of F Sport, I’m grateful for it. The RX suspension absorbs the flaws of zero drama, but doesn’t feel annoying. The brakes are powerful and self-confident, yet easy to adjust. The RX is a great Lexus feature with a focus on comfort and relaxation. This seems to be disregarded by many other luxury brands in favor of “dynamism.”
The real party piece of RX is its interior. This is a maximally old-fashioned Lexus. Sure, the infotainment system feels outdated and the button layout isn’t aesthetically pleasing. Still, they work without fuss, are easy to get used to, and appreciate Lexus’ approach in a world where some brands embed basic functionality within touchscreen menus.
The quality of the material is also typical Lexus, that is, first-class. Everything is very well organized and feels good to the touch. There is no squeaking or rattling noise. It doesn’t feel strange and it feels like everything is made to last a long time. Lexus usually doesn’t mess around with this kind of thing and has helped the company so far.
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The interior is the best part of the RX450h.
With 44.1-inch headroom and 44.1-inch legroom in the front row, the RX is comfortable enough for drivers of all sizes. I’m 6 feet, 4 inches high and I have no problem hitting my head against the headliner. This is often a challenge even for large vehicles. The second row has a very reasonable 38-inch headroom and 38-inch legroom, making the RX perfect for carrying people. The cargo hold reaches 32.7 cubic feet with the second row of seats folded, or 16 cubic feet with the back seats used. Acura’s smaller RDX offering 29.5 cubic feet.
When it comes to Lexus infotainment systems, the situation here is better than ever with the addition of touch screens in 2020. The miserable touchpad and control knobs are gone. The standard screen is only 8 inches, but the upgraded 12.3-inch screen on my test vehicle is actually pretty good.As I’ve come to expect from Lexus, the system doesn’t provide the last word of responsiveness, but by default Apple CarPlay When Android AutoIt doesn’t really matter to me.
My test vehicle is equipped with the excellent Mark Levinson audio system. In this example, it has 15 speakers and 835 watts of power. Even if you’re not familiar with high quality audio, this should be considered a must-have upgrade for almost anything with a Lexus badge. On the RX, this stereo is as warm, clear and easy to hear as any other Levinson branded system.
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Even if the new model is on the horizon in 2023, the current RX450h remains a solid purchase.
RX’s list of safety devices is robust thanks to the addition of the company’s SafetySystem 2.0-Plus suite. As standard equipment, it comes with all the biggest hits such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, road sign detection, lane keep assist and more. All systems function normally.
How does RX stand up to its competitors? Well, as one of the founders of the class, this Lexus still holds itself pretty well. With comparable technology and equipment, excellent overall quality, and a hybrid format, it offers truly excellent fuel economy. The RX 450h isn’t exciting, but it’s a quiet, comfortable and solid everyday driver.
My test 2022 Lexus RX450h F Sport Tester is $ 60,980 and has a lot of options. It’s not exactly a big change, but it’s a good price for this kind of SUV. This is a pricing that will bring repeaters back.I’m looking forward to it here 2023RX just announced It doesn’t shake the formula significantly.