Luxury Meets Sustainability: Discover the Green Features of the Lexus RX 450h+

The fifth generation of the Lexus RX brings with it all kinds of improvements over its predecessor. But the most obvious is the appearance of a plug-in hybrid version, the perfect balance before making the leap to electric. And the truth is that this 450h+ borders on perfection.

It is really difficult to combine the words SUV, premium, and hybrid in the same sentence, without the name of the Lexus RX not coming to mind next. And it is that it was running in 2005 (the first RX dates back to 1998) when the Japanese company mixed those three words to create a vehicle ahead of its time. But times change and rivalry looms, forcing Lexus to give it its all when development of the fifth generation of its RX begins.

A generation that could not, nor should it, lose its electrified DNA, but with the proliferating tendency to 'plug in'. And following the steps they took with the NX 450h+, this RX 450h+ was born. But if the plugs give you hives, know that there are also two 'dry' hybrid versions: 350h and 500h.

The first Lexus RX with the label '0'

But the most interesting novelty in this Lexus RX is this 450h+ version, which hides a plug-in hybrid mechanism already common in the brand. And it is that it is the same combination used in the aforementioned NX 450h +, which in turn inherits it from the Toyota RAV4 PHEV.

Therefore we are talking about a 2.5 Dynamic Force engine, accompanied by two electric motors capable three of generating a total of 309 horsepower. And with all this, in addition to its lithium-ion battery with a maximum capacity of 18.1 kWh (gross), we set off.

If there is charge in that battery the Lexus RX 450h+ starts in EV mode. Although, next to the gear selector there are buttons that allow you to choose between electric, hybrid, or automatic modes. There is also one dedicated to its Trail program, which feeds the rear electric motor and thus forces all-wheel drive if we drive on slippery surfaces or off-road. And also by keeping one of those buttons pressed, you can activate a Charge mode to recharge the batteries based on burning 95 gasoline.

Approves 65 kilometers of autonomy in electric mode

During the days spent with this Lexus RX 450h+, after fully charging it, it has always shown a range of more than 60 kilometers in electric mode. The distance is easy to reach and even overcome, in the city without abusing the air conditioner. For this, this Executive already has heated seats and a steering wheel. Precisely in the city, it spends 17.4 kWh/100 km or 4.5 l/100 km in hybrid and with the battery in reserve. And it is that it has a computer that shows the consumption of gasoline and electricity. Although Lexus continues to display obsolete bar charts on its 14-inch screen.

However, this 4.89-meter-long SUV is for much more than driving around the city. On the road, it also moves with great ease in electric mode, because it reaches a maximum speed of 130 km/h. Now, keep in mind that when you put your foot down it does not start its thermal engine, a detail that does not convince us if by any chance we need its 309 CV immediately. You should also know that at 90 km/h it spends 18.4 kWh/100 km, a figure that rises to 29.8 kWh/100 km at 120 km/h. So at these rates, it is impossible to do the 65 kilometers that it approves in electric mode.

This Lexus RX 450h+ is efficient even in hybrid mode

It is common in the vast majority of plug-in hybrids that their fuel consumption rises considerably when starting to work in a 'hybrid' when their batteries run out. However, Lexus' experience in this area has allowed them to have an extraordinarily thrifty SUV at all times. And it is that on the road it is better to bet on the HEV mode, in which it also reserves the energy of its battery to be consumed later (but there is no 'Save' mode as in other PHEVs). As long as we don't demand its potential all the time.

Road trips are a delight. Lexus has optimized the structural rigidity, has equipped magnificent suspensions (the active AVS with Normal and Sport modes are equipped with the Luxury and F Sport), and has worked on soundproofing... Without overlooking comfortable seats or a large space so that nothing overwhelmed At legal speeds it moves like a fish in water, spending a tight 6.8 l/100 km, which allows the 55 liters that fit in its tank to go a long way (it would cover more than 800 kilometers between refueling).

Estashansidosuscifras

ENGINE	2.5
Provision	transverse front
Number of cylinders/valves	4, online/16
Displacement (c.c.)	2.487
Feeding	Direct and indirect injection
Max power/rpm	185 PS / 6,000
Max torque/rpm	227 Nm / 3,200 – 3,700
Electric motors
Max Power (Front)	134 kW (182 CV)
Maximum torque	270 Nm
Max power (rear)	40 kW (54 hp)
Maximum torque	121 Nm
HYBRID SYSTEM
Max Power/Max Torque	309 hp / N.A.
BATTERY
Ability	18.1 kWh (gross)
Maximum recharge power	6.6 kW (in AC)
TRANSMISSION
Traction	On all 4 wheels E-Four
Gearbox	CVT type automatic
STEERING AND BRAKES
STEERING	rack, electrical assistance
Handwheel turns (between stops)	2,3
Turning diameter (m)	11,8
Brakes (Front/Rear)	Fan discs/Fan discs
SUSPENSION
Lead:	Ind. McPherson
rear:	Ind. Multi-arm
WHEELS
tires	235/50 R21
Brand	Bridgestone
Dimensions and capacities
Weight in running order (kg)	2.185
Length/Width/Height (mm)	4.890 / 1.920 / 1.695
Boot capacity (l)	461
Tank capacity (l)	55

 

Maximum speed	200 km/h
Acceleration (in seconds)
400 m start stop	14,8
From 0 to 50 km/h	2,7
From 0 to 100 km/h (official)	6,7 (6,5)
Walking (meters)	105
Recovery (in seconds)
400 m from 40 km/h in D	12,9
1,000 m from 40 km/h in D	25,1
From 80 to 120 km/h in D	4,2
Walking (meters)	119
Speedometer error at 100 km/h	+ 2%
Brakes (in meters)
From 60 / 100 / 120 km/h	14,3 / 44,6 / 60,5
Loudness (in decibels)
At 60 km/h / At 100 km/h / At 120 km/h	56,2 / 60,1 / 64,3

 

Consumption	l/100 km
City at 22.1 km/h on average	4,5
Highway cruising at 90 km/h	4,2
Highway at 120 km/h cruising	6,8
Average consumption (Percentage of use 30% urban; 50% dual carriageway; 20% highway)	5,6
Average autonomy
Kilometers traveled	982
electric autonomy
Approved (km)	65
official consumption
mixed cycle	1,1

 

So good is the soundproofing that it masks the bad arts of your CVT change. And it is that as you know, these have the particularity of overrevving the heat engine when we want to extract the best of it. But here it is hardly noticeable, in addition to the fact that it is always helped by its two electric motors that inject energy instantly.

At this time its potential comes to light because this efficient SUV also boasts performance. Proof of this is that it required 4.2 seconds to recover from 80 to 120 km/h, in addition to the fact that it takes 6.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. It is true that it approves 6.5, which is two-tenths more than what an NX 450h+ demands with which it shares mechanics. But the latter is 120 kilos lighter, hence its autonomy in electric mode also reaches 76 kilometers.

Surprise the dynamics of this Lexus RX 450h+

The GA-K platform also puts its dynamic point, because when the curves appear it benefits from a quick steering to bring out its sporty side. And it is that this Lexus RX 450h + is much better than it might appear at first glance with that refined 'look'.

To achieve this, the Lexus engineers have widened their tracks, they have gained 60 millimeters of battle, they have lowered their center of gravity by 15 millimeters… And they finish off the play with 235/50 R21 tires. Although it is not a featherweight (it weighs 145 kilos more than an RX 350h, but 310 less than a BMW X5 xDrive50e, for example) this SUV is even fun, without forgetting a brake system that complies (even its touch is very good). , some cams that allow your CVT to simulate having six speeds or a Sport driving mode (it also has ECO, Normal, and Custom programs).

But this type of driving will not be the one carried out continuously by the owner of a Lexus RX 450h+, who will have to get used to some annoying audible warnings from their driving aids (they can be silenced), in addition to acclimatizing to the steering wheel controls, which have dual functions and are sometimes a bit cumbersome.

Quality on all four sides

Apart from these details, the ergonomics of this new SUV are extraordinary, as is its build quality or the spaciousness it offers to its occupants. Even at the back, where with a 1.75-meter tall driver there are 80 centimeters for the legs, in addition to controls for the air conditioning, independent air vents, and a flat central tunnel (remember that there is no connection between its axes when moving the rear of the wheel with an electric motor). Because the 461 liters that are reserved for luggage seem somewhat fair in a vehicle of its dimensions. Even so, it is in line with many of its adversaries, who lose an important capacity by becoming 'pluggable'. Less premium is not having created a tray that completely covers the trunk, because it leaves a gap between it and the seatbacks.

Making the leap from hybrid to plug-in hybrid comes out in this new Lexus RX for 6,800 euros, an amount that is more than affordable when we talk about a vehicle that caresses six figures (in fact, this unit surpasses it because the metallic paint, which is its only option, It costs 1,299 euros to add to the starting 99,250 euros). And also acceptable for going from ECO to 0, in addition to having a mechanic that is 59 horses more powerful than that of an RX 350h.

To finish off the play, say that this Executive does not lack detail in its standard equipment, because in addition to the soft leather upholstery treated with care by the well-known Takumi of the Japanese house, it adds an electric panoramic roof, an air conditioning system with purification technology Nanoe X air conditioner, electronic door handles, Head-Up display, an advanced multimedia system that gives a thousand turns to that used in the previous generation, a list of Lexus Safety Sense+ driving aids…

However, that contrasts with not using LED headlights with matrix technology, a detail that is standard, along with the AVS adaptive suspension or the Mark Levinson sound system with 21 speakers in the Luxury. In total, the latter is only 8,600 more expensive than our protagonist.

The toughest rivals of this Lexus RX 450h+

	Kia Sorento 1.6 T-GDI PHEV 4×4 7 seats Emotion	Land Rover Velar P400e 4WD S	Mercedes-Benz GLE 400e 4Matic	Volvo XC90 Recharge eAWD T8 Core
Price	63.400 euros	82.950 euros	96.325 euros	88.800 euros
Long wide high	4.810 mm / 1.900 mm / 1.700 mm	4.797 mm / 2.041 mm / 1.683 mm	4.924 mm / 1.947 mm / 1.795 mm	4.953 mm / 1.925 mm / 1.776 mm
Power and Torque	265 hp / 350 Nm	404 hp / 640 Nm	381 hp / 600 Nm	455 hp / N.D.
EV range	57 kilometers	64 kilometers	104 kilometers	68 kilometers
From 0 to 100 km/h	8.7 seconds	5,4 seconds	6,1 seconds	5,4 seconds

 

Go ahead, whoever is looking for an alternative to this RX 450h+ will think of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. All three have equivalents with plug-in hybrid mechanics, a '0 emissions' label, and huge power figures... But we have chosen the newly released GLE for its autonomy in electric mode. An extraordinary vehicle, it does not come as equipped as the Japanese. The same happens to the access version of the Velar, a really powerful and fast vehicle, but it scares you when the battery runs out. The same happens to the XC90, efficient until it starts working in hybrid mode 'dry'. Although this one has seven seats and a huge trunk. Don't be scared off by the Sorento. This Emotion finish does not have to envy the Lexus in equipment, without forgetting that it offers seven seats. Its mechanics are not so brilliant, nor so powerful, but you will forget all of this in a matter of seconds knowing that you have 35,850 euros available in your checking account.