2016 / 2017 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid Review | DETAILED in 4K

The RX continues to be a large 2-row crossover that's high on value and comfort. 2016 brings a complete redesign with polarizing looks and serious updates on the interior.
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[@emmasalgado7877]

Reading through these 5+ yr old comments. Everyone hated the grill, now every manufacturer is making the same style grills. I bet you guys are getting used to it.

[@swanblake]

Love this design. Very beautiful and unique. Love the non boring german look. Good job Lexus

[@jonnieinbangkok]

+Blake Swan There's always one.

[@aronma2765]

I don't think it's that great, but it's far from ugly. I dunno why people are hating on Lexus's new designs.

[@electrictroy2010]

+Blake Swan Just as ugly as the Mirai fool cell car .

[@luggage12345]

+Blake Swan Yeah I saw it on the road today and definitely caught my attention. It's very polarizing in a good way.

[@petitflocon647]

I love Lexus design, it is really futuristic. The front is a monster.

[@phk818]

Alex, you have the BEST car reviews! Well done.

[@don.timeless4993]

Man, your reviews are GOLD!

[@benderbendingrodriguez2868]

Excellent review. This has got to be the best rx review ive seen.

[@goldaria9228]

Thank you for this. This is the most informative review ever.

[@rayaanshaikh5830]

Whole car looks awesome! Much better than all the other boring vehicles in this segment

[@geekteach1912]

i love the F-Sport grill. It's nice-looking and VERY distinctive. What I DON'T like is the additional $5,000 it costs to have one!

[@luidgidelcid5561]

Really enjoyed the detailed review since I am considering purchasing this car. Thank you for the great review!

[@JayYarbroughMusic]

Truly superb video. You have this craft dialed in. Bravo.

[@Hallowsaw]

I love the front. It is about time a crossover has some personality.

[@ascott2168]

I've seen one these in black and it actually looks very nice, especially the LEDs at night

[@Am5634]

I just got one I love it

[@EvanderSmart]

This should definitely bring in a younger buyer, who will be attracted to the new bolder styling. The RX will have no problem selling 10k a month. Lexus isn't playing anymore. The Germans are now ultra-conservative, and Lexus is going bold. I like it!

[@kpnitrl38]

Love your reviews. Love this car.

[@corpnupe85]

Another excellent review!

[@christoherpjames6958]

The review was very insightful also I love the fact you didn’t have only one camera and it facing your face. You had multiple camera and out of the others were facing you

[@wtl3379]

Its greatiest video ever!!! Your explanation is really fluent!!!

[@elliottmanning4116]

I actually don't mind the spindle grille in the F-Sport trim because I generally like mesh grilles, but I wish Lexus would have better integrated the park assist sensors in the grille. The problem I have, in terms of design, is the liftgate. Because the back glass is so raked down, it looks like a self, or a trunk lid instead of a liftgate

[@rayrosel]

great clear and detailed review.

[@pathtofinancialindependence]

Great video ALex...I think I will move go ahead and get one based off of your info. Very thorough!!

[@corpnupe85]

Another Excellent Review!

[@carlosalfaro5284]

Awsome car drove it on 11/04/15 and it was awsome drive. I am getting this car next friday.

[@mahaniamir]

i had a 2011 Model and am in love with it

[@thegoodstick3985]

It looks good!

[@roger_oahu]

Love the design. probably gonna lease one :)

[@azhariqbal1212]

Love it love it love it

[@danlee3055]

I actually like the spindle grill design, with the horizontal slats edging out the f-sport design; i am actually not a fan of the attempt to create a floating roof design however, especially since nissan already has it in their suv design language

[@peeair20]

Great video Alex, as always!! In reference to your bumper question, I don't see any protection for those plastic squiggly lines since they extend all the way down the front end of the vehicle. I see high repair cost as a result of all that exposed plastic squiggly lines, right along with the parking sensors!!

[@giveawayssubscribers4249]

+Pierre Davis Sr. How do I get this RX 450h without the shark thin antena?

[@vincepalaa]

The grill is polarizing to say the least. I don't hate it, but it will certainly take some getting used to. I still give Toyota/Lexus credit for designing a vehicle that stands out from the run of the mill HR-V/Traverse. As far as interior goes, I have never been disappointed by a Lexus interior. Looks like a phenomenal place to spend time. It's unfortunate that, after that time, you egress the vehicle to a terrifying fascia but it is what it is.

[@ferrier3]

Love the total look of this car. Hey man how tall are you you make the car look small😁

[@bakwoludovic117]

This design is agressive and luxurious at the same time

[@lexusownersclub9635]

We sat in one the other day and is probably the best Lexus in the whole range.

[@paulsoarjr2]

3 videos at the same time!

[@stayhumble3104]

beautiful car

[@ssahagun7965]

Alex. are you shooting this on a GoPro? Looks amazing!

[@MAli-nw4jq]

Sir, great video.

[@mountainhobo]

Lexus needs to do something about that front. It's just ridiculous.

[@redav415]

+mountainhobo The floating roof & C/D pillar are not any better.

[@747-pilot]

+redav Actually that floating roof and C/D pillar (that they copied from - of all cars - the Nissan Murano, for cryin out loud) are FAR WORSE than the grille!! **rollseyes**

[@tontoindian]

Excellent presentation Alex. Lot of good and useful info presented with a good flow and great video quality. Thank you. With regard to the grille, I'm going to put a blinder over my eyes before getting into the vehicle so that I don't even get a glimpse of it. How could anyone put such a terrible design on an otherwise great product. The interior is great. Redesign the grille Lexus, ... please.

[@luggage12345]

Is everyone on crack or do I think that front grille actually looks awesome.

[@ravenjames3873]

it looks awesome

[@JonChenTS13]

I love it actually

[@thisismagacountry1318]

Why? Do you have some?

[@johnmendoza6421]

It’s a matter of opinion

[@geekteach1912]

I think it's awesome. I love that big grille so much that I bought one.

[@g352007]

I really love the grill. Lexus go to the right direction

[@cadsux]

Although I'm not a fan of the spindle grille, I think the overall design is an improvement over the previous gen. I sometimes joke that Toyota & Lexus vehicles don't need "sport modes" or "F sport trims" because out here in Northern California it seems many of their owners drive them a bit too aggressively, even the Yaris and Prius variants, which hurl themselves way above the speed limit especially on Highway 101. It's as if they got tired of hypermiling on the hills and just let themselves loose at 80 mph or so. And a bit of badge snobbery too. They'll sell like hot-cakes since Lexus still #1 in reliability per Consumer Reports.

[@petitflocon647]

Haters will hates more and more cuz Lexus is selling more and more each year

[@valdius85]

The climate has to be added into equation of efficiency vs price. I live in Tokyo, where there it is over 30 deg for three months, with almost 40 deg for few days last year. Using AC without idling is sometimes worth the extra price when considering comfort. Leaving a car with AC on while shopping or fuelling on the motorway is worth it as well.

[@Wideolink]

REDESIGN THE GRILLE !

[@jonnieinbangkok]

+777PharmD777 Yep, obviously the guy that designed the Aztek has been reincarnated and is now working for Lexus.

[@redav415]

+777PharmD777 Older RXs are loved by most and hated by few. Polarization isn't necessary to design a popular car. I expect this car will be liked by few and hated by many. I don't think they did a good job with applying their design language to it.

[@redav415]

***** That sentiment disagrees with my experience. So, we must associate with different groups.

[@Azul36550]

+redav I disagree as well. I never cared for the RX before, but now I really want it. It's something about it daring to do what others are afraid to do. It's sharp edges and bold in your face grill.

[@alpha7ization]

+redav I agree they will sell some but most may opt for the Nx which will cannibalize sales of the RX

[@MrJobwelldone]

I like the grille.

[@stingerrgb2754]

I love this car its looks wery nice

[@kunalsab7805]

@Gabriel G i drove it and it's awesome...what r u talking about man and hey btw i drive bmw 5 series right now so yeah i know about luxury cars and comfort

[@younhitchborn]

You live in Oregon? I recognized St. Johns bridge and Germantown road. The roads around here get very rough in the winter. I would love to hear about various cars' road noise levels on rough highways.

[@Sup3riorr]

Love it :D

[@petitflocon647]

Haters will always hates... they can't do something else

[@jameshearne]

Great video Alex... I want to but the Lexus RX450H sooooo badly, but I just can't get past that grille! I wonder if Lexus knows that they are VERY likely losing customers.

[@anhthinguyen1643]

Thanks

[@futbol1972]

What used year should I consider buying for the 450h? What years should I avoid?

[@flyingRich]

Does the RX450h F Sport require premium fuel or will it run on regular?

[@fifarulez5064]

Premium recommended but reg is ok too

[@michaelklein8077]

We own an RX 350 and wanted to upgrade to a new 2016 450h, but will not so because the grill is so ugly. However we really like the rest of the new body styling. Soften the grill in 2017 and we may become a customer.

[@effulgent.8]

I wanna get one... $$ on its way

[@paulc6747]

About the grill... that big grill will get a lot of bugs in the radiator fins if you live in Florida. Other than that, it does make the Lexus look more aggressive.

[@Geoffreynguyen911]

Hi, Alex. Thank you for posting this review. Is this hybrid Lexus running on regular gas, instead of premium?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

+Geoffreynguyen911 It is my understanding that it runs on regular.

[@haroldpayne2527]

Like all other Lexus RX,s that front will grow on you.

[@giveawayssubscribers4249]

How do I get this RX 450h without the shark thin antena?

[@teddysliftworld]

I love this car. I like the regular grill better. The F sport is to flashy. In my opinion.

[@DasMsr30]

Alex, thank you for this review of the Lexus RX 450h. Question: Is the transmission a CVT or 8-speed automatic?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

+DasMsr30 Quite technically it is neither, it is a planetary hybrid power split transmission but it functions much like a CVT.

[@peteb9783]

+Alex on Autos to be fair, I've driven a number of 'proper' CVTs from Nissan and Honda (including 2 of their Hybrids - Civic and Insight [not sure if you get the same model names in the US]) and in my view the all feel very similar in their response to the throttle pedal.

[@yiyangcheng]

How does it compare to say a Cadillac SRX?

[@meghanasurapaneni9]

Does 450H requires regular unleaded gasoline?

[@viviang666]

这车帅炸了....

[@arnegerhardsen3755]

Norway have tow rating at 2000 kg (4500 lbs) for rx450h.

[@Thebusdriverandgamermorefan790]

I'm looking to buy 16' Lexus RX450h Hybrid.

[@markguox]

Did you shoot the intro in front of a jail Alex? LOL

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

+markguox I had so little time with the RX hybrid to shoot the video that I had to just use the first parking lot big enough and that's what I ended up with...

[@rasheed-hb8sp]

+Alex on Autos I love the front of vehicle looks very nice i like the whole look it is unique and different

[@MRSTEEL15]

Alex on Autos If money wasn't an issue, Which is the best overall e hybrid S.U.V? Economy/H.P

[@mikewever3983]

as an artist it isnt the grill that is the problem its the angular shape of the headlights and he side lights..also that smile on the bottom doesnt work -- instead of v lines the design needs 0 ROUND lines

[@1awlsusie]

Shark!

[@gideonmuthee4393]

For me the previous grill looks more better, probably if you could slitly change the design..

[@kc5077]

The Fsport grille feels too big, I like the standard horizontal bars better. I'm disappointed with the small rear quarter windows.

[@josephboot1]

Not a huge fan of the new grill, they seem to be trying too hard to stand out but went too far. Ever since the LF LC concept was shown and received a lot of praise they slapped that look on everything.

[@rolojosia72]

If Cylon Centurions drove cars....

[@4Stanzas]

When starting the car, a voice should say, "By your command."

[@mele2259]

Just picked up a 2022 RX 450HL . Please tell me I could fill it up With regular

[@danyala.1659]

Premium gas is recommended but I would use regular, it's exactly the same.

[@chrissorreda4982]

Busiest looking car i've seen after a loooooong time.

[@b4804514]

+Chris Sorreda the darth vader look is so over and awful on the front of a car

[@mikewever3983]

i+b4804514 i know im so bummed they did this to the lexus if they didnt have the angular lights on the side that forms a smile .. if the lights stayed round.. the grill would look ok.

[@peruprofundodance]

Not bad.

[@ZCT808]

I'm having a hard time understanding the purpose of the 450h. It's basically $10,000 more expensive than the 350. It has the same 0-60 time, and only a small difference in horsepower. It gets 3-4 mpg better fuel economy. Just how many miles are you going to have to drive before that tiny improvement in fuel economy pays for the $10,000 up charge?

[@lionintu]

ZCT808 yeah the hybrid tech isn't worth it in mpg at all

[@moloono1]

@3:14 you can see the MPG improvements are 11/2/8 respectively. In a big city with lots of stop and go traffic, the savings would be worth it.

[@yurakazakov1996]

From Russia with love of vehicle reviews.

[@Lucky2bGorgeous]

Alex thisIs grills getting way too big reminds me of an old man's toothless grin . I agree with you

[@wendysato4808]

in Japan there is a suv based off the rx450h it looks much better and no spindle grill it is a toyota i forgot the name but i wish it was available in the US but it's not

[@mikereif7240]

So you are filming this on the Mexican U.S. boarder.

[@pouyavakil6645]

Not really fan of the front end design.

[@zklucsc]

Look like a bigger NX!

[@dawod2020]

in the start u compare Rx lenght with Bmw x5, and later u say Rx has 33% more Cargo than Bmw x3, i mean hallo u cant campare RX with x3 Q7, Cayenne, x5, Range Rover, MB GLS these are the target, not q5, x3, macan or GLC

[@omoniyikaye]

I drive RX450H but this 2016 design is too aggressive I will skip but I can’t’ I can only drive a Lexus❤️

[@DavidSmith-kd3qm]

Where is the front bumper? All I see is a big fat grill

[@nd318865]

Grille? Aweful!

[@DilumRanatunga]

This change to the grill seems as alienating as Acura TL's change to the beak `08 -> `09. I suspect it will drop sales despite better room, safety etc. How many realtors want to drive clients in that monstrosity? Remember, this will have to go against the next generation Q5, and very soon, the next gen XC60. Garish draws a smaller number of buyers than tasteful in this segment.

[@lanta756]

Dilum Ranatunga ygvgv

[@monymony68]

That grill reminds me of a freight train!

[@pierregermain8331]

I have a Lexus for nine years the front grill on the new 2016 is terrible to the point where I'll buy a different car

[@davidkawikatalisman7244]

I was planning on buying a 2016 lexus 350 but after seeing the horrendous looking front end, I've decided to keep my 2013. The last thing this car needed was to be bigger than previous ones. My personal opinion is that Lexus really screwed up with this design. I simply hate it, sadly...love the Lexus but need a new designer. :)

[@EvanderSmart]

The F-Sport takes the styling too far, particularly the ground effects package. The RX450h without the F-Sport, looks much better, and is less expensive. I like both grilles, if that were all, but not with the extra ground effects

[@electrictroy2010]

I would buy something like a Cruze (or the luxury equivalent), because it costs only 17,000 and 5.3 cents/mile. If I bought a Prius or Volt costing 8 grand more and 4 c/mile, then it would take OVER 600,000 MILES FOR GAS SAVINGS TO COVER THE HYBRID PRICETAG . The Chevy Cruze or other lowcost car simply makes more sense from a financial standpoint .

[@potdragon8091]

This is an SUV...a Cruze is a compact car. Only a fool would begin to compare them. Only someone who never experienced Lexus service would consider Chevy. Only the ignorant figure math without computing the RESALE VALUE. How far out does the Cruze steering wheel telescope? How strong are the ventilated seats in the Cruze? How warm are the rear seat warmers in a Cruze? How does the Cruze achieve AWD? Where is the QI charging pad, the auto wipers, the onboard navigation on a Cruze? Almost like you are comparing a plastic POS to a well equipped luxury SUV.

[@zlopy]

Pot Dragon Lexus reability no other car manufacturer can match.

[@lorichristopherkaluzny2625]

Beautiful automobile but that huge grill will become a nightmare to clean all the bugs that get caught in summer driving.

[@ivaylovarbanov5177]

Just managed to see something in Russian under the centre console lol

[@308_Negra_Arroyo_Lane]

Why can't you tow with the FWD model?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

+Walter Black Lexus was not specific on that front.

[@peteb9783]

+Walter Black All Toyota and Lexus Hybrids have been specified as not suitable for towing since the original Prius in 1997. The story I got was that they were concerned about overheating the traction battery and the power inverters. They may also have been worried about straining the the power split device. The NX and RX 4WDs are ok for towing, I'm guessing because the extra torque from the rear when needed smooths that out. For what my opinion is worth,. I think they've been over cautious and some people have certainly towed with a Prius without problem. But then. early concerns the Hybrid system would give lots of trouble in later life proved completely unfounded. I gather the next Prius will be able to tow, but now sure if that's only the 4WD versions.

[@chrissorreda4982]

+Walter Black imagine towing with a FRONT wheel drive car when a lot of weight is at the back.

[@aarongee1168]

The grill reminds me of a Charlie Chaplin mustache.

[@petitflocon647]

+Aaron Gee ... did you took Crack or Meth when you wrote this stupid comment?

[@aarongee1168]

loo lolo Hmm, yeah. Like your user name, I got it for the lolo.

[@coolcat737]

wish it had a 3rd row option

[@andrewyang9095]

It will get it next year

[@DavidSmith-kd3qm]

Andrew Yang wrong maybe 2018 or 19

[@zlopy]

Prado 737 why? I think the rx450h is to small for that.. Its nog big like an xc90.