The Lexus RX has been a fixture in the luxury SUV market since 1998. This is the fifth generation—a larger vehicle than the original, but still aimed at the same buyer who wants comfort and quiet rather than a hardcore driving machine.
German rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover press hard in this class. With the RX 450h+ for 2023, Lexus pushes further into electrification while keeping its emphasis on refinement.
The RX 450h+ is the plug-in version, replacing the old 450h as the core hybrid offering. It pairs Lexus’s fourth-generation hybrid system with an 18.1 kWh battery. Official figures promise more than 65 km of electric range and electric driving up to 135 km/h. Once the battery is depleted, it behaves like a conventional hybrid.
Visually the RX is immediately recognisable: clean lines, a modern silhouette and composed road manners in town or on the motorway.
Length is unchanged from the previous RX, but wheelbase and track are wider for a more planted stance. Lexus also claims roughly 90 kg less in base structure weight, which should help responses.
The grille, slimmer headlights, strong C-pillar line, rear haunches and full-width light bar give a distinctly Japanese premium look rather than a copy of European rivals.
Inside, Lexus calls the layout “Tazuna”—Japanese for a horse’s reins, meaning direct, intuitive control. The 14-inch screen, head-up display and driver information display work well together.
The cabin feels calmer than some competitors: simple shapes, quality materials and physical climate switches. Plenty of tech remains—driver assistance, selectable drive modes, efficiency and charging displays—mostly through the touchscreen, whose settings menus are not the most intuitive.
Storage is adequate. There is wireless phone charging, six USB ports around the cabin, reasonable space for five adults and an acceptable boot.
Under the bonnet, a 2.5-litre petrol engine works with a 180 hp electric motor for 233 hp combined. With charge in the battery, it moves easily in EV mode. The petrol unit cannot match the six-cylinder soundtrack of a BMW X5 or Range Rover Sport.
A full charge takes about 2 hours 50 minutes using the onboard 6.6 kW charger.
Some buyers will miss stronger ambient lighting and a more dramatic digital dashboard to match German rivals. Lexus still bets on a well-made, low-distraction interior over maximum screen theatre.
Overall, the RX 450h+ combines elegant design, adequate performance and strong official efficiency figures. It remains a credible large luxury SUV for buyers who prioritise Lexus calm over outright sportiness or V6 drama.
