2022 Lexus RX 450h Review: Excelling at Core Competencies

The 2022 Lexus RX 450h is arguably a person of the far more uninteresting automobiles on the street these days, but that is not automatically a lousy point. Take into account the serial Lexus client: They get into the brand name as an reasonably priced luxury marque, locate an possession encounter they enjoy and then rinse and repeat. Severely, around 50% of Lexus buyers continue to be faithful to the brand.

For folks who trade in their Lexus each individual couple of a long time, big jumps in styling or technology aren’t necessarily expected. These shoppers are a lot more possible to respect a product sticking to its main competencies and acquiring subtly improved more than the several years. The RX is the poster little one for that kind of iteration. It’s turn into the archetypical Lexus.

The RX 450h will get its motivation from a 3.5-liter obviously aspirated hybrid V6 engine that produces 308 horsepower and 247 pound-toes of torque, which is mated to an electronically controlled CVT transmission with some quite pointless paddle shifters. I say pointless for the reason that, remaining a CVT, the shifts are simulated and the paddles do nothing to make the RX sense sporty. All-wheel travel is standard on the F Sport hybrid, which is the model I’m screening below.

The 450h’s effectiveness is totally enough. It’s not what you’d connect with athletic, but the RX hybrid does not battle to hit freeway speeds in acceptable time and the drivetrain as a whole is quite smooth. Becoming a Lexus hybrid, the RX 450h is also rather economical. All through my tests, I’ve simply matched the EPA’s 30 mpg blended rating.

Introducing to the commonly non-sporting goodness is a tender, compliant suspension and direct but not overly communicative steering. The RX 450h drives like a midsize luxury SUV with no actual sporting pretense and I appreciate that, regardless of the F Activity getup. The RX’s suspension soaks up imperfections with zero drama but does not feel wallowy. The brakes are strong and inspire self-assurance though also getting easy to modulate. The RX is the hallmark of a very good Lexus, concentrated on currently being cozy and enjoyable, which is a little something many other luxurious brand names look to ignore in favor of “dynamism.”

The RX’s serious get together piece is its inside. This is outdated-college Lexus finished to the max. Sure, the infotainment technique feels a minimal behind the times, and the array of buttons is not aesthetically satisfying. Still, they perform devoid of fuss and are uncomplicated to get utilized to, and in a world where by some brand names are burying essential features inside touchscreen menus, I respect Lexus’ tactic.

The product good quality is also standard Lexus, which is to say, major-notch. Every thing feels quite properly put alongside one another and nice to contact. There are no squeaks or rattles. Absolutely nothing feels out of position, and everything feels like it is really built to final. Lexus isn’t going to commonly mess close to with this form of stuff and it’s served the enterprise properly therefore considerably.

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With 44.1 inches of headroom and 44.1 inches of legroom in the front row, the RX is loads at ease for motorists of all dimensions. I’m 6 feet, 4 inches tall and have no difficulties with bumping my head on the headliner, which is a thing I generally wrestle with, even in bigger cars. The next row has a pretty fair 38 inches of headroom and 38 inches of legroom, building the RX a champ at hauling people today. Cargo room maxes out at 32.7 cubic toes with the next row of seats folded, or 16 cubic toes with the again seats in use, which falls a tiny at the rear of the likes of Acura’s lesser RDX, which features 29.5 cubic feet.

When it will come to Lexus’ infotainment process, matters here are far better than at any time owing to the addition of a touchscreen back in 2020. Long gone is the miserable touchpad and regulate knob. The typical display steps only 8 inches, but the upgraded 12.3-inch display in my exam vehicle is essentially very fantastic. As I’ve come to count on from Lexus, the method does not deliver the final phrase in responsiveness, but with regular Apple CarPlay and Android Vehicle, that does not seriously make a difference to me much too much.

My examination automobile is equipped with an outstanding Mark Levinson audio procedure, which in this instance packs 15 speakers and 835 watts of energy. Even if you might be not tremendous into large-quality audio, this must be regarded a necessary enhance on really a great deal all the things with a Lexus badge. In the RX, this stereo is as heat, distinct and listenable as any other Levinson-branded method.

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The RX’s checklist of safety devices is sturdy many thanks to the addition of the company’s Basic safety Method 2.-Furthermore suite. Fitted as conventional, it will come with all the finest hits like adaptive cruise manage, blindspot checking, computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection, road indicator detection and lane-retain aid. All of the devices work effectively.

How does the RX stand up to its levels of competition? Effectively, as a single of the originators of the course, this Lexus even now retains its own fairly very well. It delivers comparable tech and amenities, fantastic over-all good quality and, in hybrid form, definitely great gas financial state. The RX 450h isn’t enjoyable, but it truly is quiet, comfy and a reliable every day driver.

My exam 2022 Lexus RX 450h F Activity tester comes in at $60,980 with a complete bunch of possibilities, and though which is not exactly chump improve, it truly is a honest rate for this kind of SUV. It truly is the kind of pricing that will hold those people repeat purchasers coming back again. This is hoping the just-introduced 2023 RX isn’t going to substantially shake up that components.