The Lexus RX is nearing the end of its current lifecycle, but there’s still lots to like about the Japanese brand’s fourth-generation family SUV
- How much does the Lexus RX 450hL Luxury cost?
- What safety and technology features on the Lexus RX 450hL Luxury?
- What powers the Lexus RX 450hL Luxury?
- What is the Lexus RX 450hL Luxury like to drive?
- What is the Lexus RX 450hL Luxury like inside?
- Should I buy a Lexus RX 450hL Luxury?
The 2023 Lexus RX line-up is a broad one, with buyers able to select between petrol or hybrid powertrains, five or seven seats and a price bracket that spans from $72K to just over $110,000. Near the top end, the stretched Lexus RX 450hL Luxury comes in a touch under $94,000 before on-road costs, combining a three-row layout with fuel-saving hybrid power. A new-generation Lexus RX is just around the corner with a much higher price tag, so is it worth nabbing a deal on the outgoing premium family SUV?
How much does the Lexus RX 450hL Luxury cost?
Currently in its fourth generation and due for imminent replacement, the 2023 Lexus RX large SUV is still a strong-selling model in the Japanese car-maker’s line-up, second only to the one-size-smaller NX.
Here, we’re testing Lexus’ most affordable hybrid seven-seater, the RX 450hL Luxury, although it’s not what you’d call ‘entry level’.
Priced from $93,683 plus on-road costs, the fitment of a $3500 Enhancement Pack brings our test car’s total price up to $97,183 plus ORCs.
That’s still well under the top-shelf RX 450hL Sports Luxury pictured here that opens at $110,883 plus ORCs.
It’s also not the most popular combination in the RX family, with the five-seat all-wheel drive RX 350 F Sport (from $94,704) accounting for the majority of sales.
Even still, the RX 450hL Luxury gets a host of standard equipment including 20-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging and a 12.3-inch touch-screen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital radio and navigation.
Meanwhile, the Enhancement Pack adds a moonroof, colour head-up display and smart key card – similar to a credit card – that can be used in place of the regular key fob.
Under the bonnet is a 3.5-litre petrol V6 that combines with a pair of electric motors (123kW up front and 50kW at the rear) to produce a combined 230kW.
Lexus offers a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty on its new vehicles, while RX hybrid services are due every 12 months/15,000km.
What safety and technology features on the Lexus RX 450hL Luxury?
You’ll feel safe having the whole family on board knowing every 2023 Lexus RX comes equipped with the Japanese marque’s Lexus Safety System+.
That means autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and daytime cyclist recognition, lane trace assist, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition all come standard.
The high-res reversing camera displays a clear image, while front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert are fitted at no extra cost.
For the most part, everything works nicely in the background of the RX, however audible warnings for things like school zones, while useful, can become annoying if you’re frequently driving the same route (and subsequently know the area).
Thankfully, the warnings can be switched off.
Despite the fact it’s a large three-row SUV, the tech gadgets on the RX 450hL make parking relatively easy, even considering its lengthy five-metre-long body.
The fact you can use the RX’s larger infotainment unit as a touch-screen is also a huge bonus for those that found the previous finnicky touchpad difficult to live with.
What powers the Lexus RX 450hL Luxury?
Under the bonnet of the 2023 Lexus RX 450hL is the most powerful drivetrain in the RX family.
Power comes from the combination of a 193kW 3.5-litre petrol V6 that’s mated to a pair of electric motors. The front motor produces 123kW/335Nm and the rear 50kW/139Nm. Total combined output is 230kW.
Drive is sent to all four corners via a CVT automatic transmission and Lexus’ E-Four AWD system.
But make no mistake, the RX 450hL is certainly no performance SUV. Instead, the seven-seater is more focused on building speed comfortably, as opposed to quickly.
According to Lexus’ official numbers, the RX 450hL will scurry from zero to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.
Elsewhere, a week of suburban and highway driving revealed our tester used an average of 7.7L/100km, making it slightly thirstier than the combined average claim of 6.0L/100km.
That’s still a decent figure considering the RX 450hL’s physical size and mass.
What is the Lexus RX 450hL Luxury like to drive?
What really shines in the 2023 Lexus RX 450hL is how great the family SUV’s noise suppression is.
Almost no road noise can be heard inside the cabin, and even the switch over between the powertrain’s electric and petrol systems is well hushed.
Even under heavy acceleration, Lexus has done a great job in making sure the passengers are almost blissfully unaware.
It’d be nice if EV mode offered a pure-electric driving experience at any speed, without the V6 kicking in once you ask for too much power.
But at the same time, it’s nice to have the added boost of electric assistance on offer, even if it doesn’t add much in the way of performance.
Overall, the RX 450hL is well behaved on the road, with its absorbent suspension making light work of potholes and road imperfections.
Steering is relatively light too, if not slightly disconnected, but it’s easy to drive and place.
Grip is sufficient, but the RX just isn’t as athletic or composed as Euros like the Audi Q7 or BMW X5, producing a little more body roll in comparison.
As long as you don’t expect too much of it dynamically, the Lexus RX 450hL is a fine everyday driver.
What is the Lexus RX 450hL Luxury like inside?
If it’s a comfortable luxury family hauler you’re after, the 2023 Lexus RX 450hL offers that in spades.
With an abundance of vision out front thanks to huge open glasswork, passengers in the second row are given a similarly great view of the road, while most will find its plush leather seating a nice place to rest during longer stints of driving.
But it’s a different story for the seven-seater’s third row, where you might have trouble finding someone small enough to sit there.
Running on the same 2790mm wheelbase as the rest of the RX range, the RX 450hL (L for long body) gains an extra 110mm in overall length.
Access to the rearmost row is fine, but it’s almost impossible for anyone larger than the average 10-year-old to sit back there with any sort of legroom, or comfort for that matter.
But at least you’ve got the extra seats if you need them, right?
That means you also need to compromise on boot space, which measures a measly 176 litres with all seven seats in place.
Even though the cabin feels a little dated in design compared to European rivals, the RX 450hL fares well as a standalone offering.
Should I buy a Lexus RX 450hL Luxury?
Subjectively speaking, the 2023 Lexus RX 450hL isn’t the most handsome prestige seven-seat SUV on the market.
But it is pleasantly frugal, safe as houses and comes fitted with luxury and tech gear that’ll keep the whole family happy.
And, for around $5K more, the added convenience of the RX 450hL’s slightly longer cabin (and third row) might be exactly what a larger family needs.
Either way, nothing really comes close to the Lexus RX 450hL in terms of size, equipment and tech for the price – and for that, it’s worth a look.
But do so quickly, before they’re all gone!
2023 Lexus RX 450hL Luxury at a glance:
Price: $93,683 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 3.5-litre V6 petrol-electric
Output: 193kW/335Nm (electric motors: 123kW/335Nm front; 50kW/139Nm rear)
Combined output: 230kW
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 137g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2015)
Keyword: Lexus RX 450hL 2023 Review