2021 Lexus RX Hybrid Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The RX 450h is the hybrid version of one of the most popular luxury SUVs for Lexus. It is available in two body styles; the conventional...

The RX 450h is the hybrid version of one of the most popular luxury SUVs for Lexus. It is available in two body styles; the conventional five-passenger layout, and the three-row RX 450h L. The RX hybrid was redesigned in 2018, and it carries over to the 2021 model year with some newly standard driver assistance features and newly optional in-car tech.

The RX 450h’s hybrid powertrain combines a gas V6 engine with a nickel-metal hydride battery and a trio of electric motor-generators. One electric motor pairs to the V6 and continuously variable transmission (CVT). The second motor powers the front wheels while the third motor powers the rear wheels, creating an all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup. The combined output of all these components is 308 total system horsepower. When properly equipped, the RX 450h can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The RX 450h returns fuel economy of 31 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, 30 mpg combined. The long-wheelbase RX 450h L returns fuel economy of 29 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, 29 mpg combined. Ninety-five octane fuel is recommended.

The standard RX 450h provides 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and just 32.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. With the longer RX 450h L, total cargo space is 58.5 cubic feet. With just the third row folded, the L provides 23 cubic feet, and with all seats up, the L has just 7.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The RX 450h L is available with a hands-free power liftgate.

Trims for the RX hybrid are the RX 450h, long-wheelbase RX 450h L, and the RX 450h F Sport. The standard RX 450h comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED running lights, LED brake lights, and side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals. Inside, standard features include 10-way power-adjustable front seats, NuLuxe synthetic leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, six USB ports, a 9-speaker stereo, and a WiFi hot spot. It also comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.

For 2021, the RX 450h is now available with an optional wireless device charging pad. Other options include heated- and cooled front seats, a power moonroof, panoramic moonroof, aluminum roof rails, 20-inch alloy wheels, a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen with navigation, and the Mark Levinson premium sound system.

The extended RX 450h L is highlighted by a power-folding third row of seats. Other features on the L include three-zone climate control, second-row captain’s chairs, and two USB ports for the second row.

The RX 450h F Sport adds sport front seats and front and rear performance dampers. The F Sport can be further enhanced with a handling package, which adds a Sport+ drive mode, sport-tuned suspension, and a heated steering wheel.

All trims of the RX 450h come standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 bundle of driver aids. This suite of driver assistance technology includes automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. For 2021, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are now standard equipment.

Base MSRP for the 2021 Lexus RX 450h is $48,915. The RX 450h L is $52,305. Back to the shorter-wheelbase RX 450h, the starting price for the F Sport is $52,395, while the Black Line Special Edition starts at $53,080. All prices include a mandatory $1,095 destination fee.