Is the Lexus RX 450h+ the BEST Luxury Hybrid SUV? // 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ PHEV REVIEW

The 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ is a Lexus version of the Toyota RAV4 Prime powertrain wrapped in luxurious materials and tons of options. With consumers stepping back from EVs, a PHEV like the Toyota RAV4 Prime or Lexus RX 450h+ makes much more sense, giving people the best of both worlds between ICE and EV. With just under 40 miles of range, the Lexus RX has almost the same amount of usable range as the RAV4 Prime with an average hybrid efficiency of around 35 mpg -- easily achievable if you start with the EV range and continue on from there. Like all Toyota and Lexus hybrids and PHEVs, the Lexus RX is effortless to use and live with. You can plug it in at home, and with a 240v the Lexus RX 450h+ will recharge in just over two hours. On a normal 120v, it will take 12 hours, but that's still easily achievable for most people overnight. (We plugged it into our 120v outlet at home and averaged around 32 miles in the morning over the course of several days.) Where the Lexus RX 450h+ takes a bit of a hit is in the price, which as you see it in this video is nearly $77k. That's a LOT of money for a midsize luxury crossover based on a mainstream plug-in hybrid powertrain. Both Mercedes and BMW offer PHEVs in this price range with very similar specifications, with the BMW X5 being absolutely fantastic to drive, much more so than the Lexus RX. But what should you spend your money on? Well, German reliability is always a bit suspect, and for us, if we're shelling out more than $76k of our own money on a luxury PHEV, we'd get the Lexus. The interior of the Lexus RX 450h in top spec feels fantastic, the materials are excellent, the seats are spectacularly comfortable, and you have the Lexus reputation for quality and reliability backing you up (not to mention a known powertrain that has been tried and true). Let us know what you think of the 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ in the comments! We'd love to hear which vehicle you'd choose in this class and why. We think PHEV luxury crossover vehicles will only proliferate as automakers cool on EVs in the wake of reduced consumer interest (driven by high prices, terrible interest rates, and recent bad press covering EV battery replacement). EVs are coming whether we like it or not, but in the meantime an excellent PHEV with luxurious options might be the best way to have your cake and eat it, too. Then again, we might end up with a thirsty Lexus GX 550 Overtrail or Toyota Land Cruiser because they're so freaking cool. We're not going to sit here and pretend we'd even consider a crossover when we could get the new Lexus GX 550! Hahaha!
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#lexus
#lexusrx450h
#phev

[@frederickwagoner1721]

I'll take Lexus any day over any Volvo!

[@jax1079]

Good choice. 😉👍🏻 Don't get me wrong: Volvo makes some beautiful cars and SUVs right now, but they can't hold a candle to Lexus reliability.

[@SfifT8]

Great video Jax!! Can you do a BMW X5?

[@jax1079]

I have an older video on the BMW X5 PHEV. I'll link it in the description 👍🏻

[@leetreado3801]

I'm 6'6" so I appreciate knowing I will fit in it. I've already eliminated several SUV cars that I do not comfortably fit into.

[@johnconover3829]

I love how these two do a car review together. This is the first video I have watched from them and it definitely won't be the last. Great review and video!!!

[@jax1079]

Thanks so much!!! We really appreciate it!

[@JDruRC4]

The RX brand has been my dream "go to" vehicle since the early 2000s if money is a non-issue. . I'm no big car enthusiast, just love comfort & practicality with just enough good looks & feels. 90%+ of my driving is solo, but I do like some space for travel/roadtrips. This (or maybe the NX PHEV?) Would absolutely be my choice, no questions asked. 😍

[@jax1079]

I could be imagining things, but we seemed to remember the NX hybrid riding just a bit better. The RX 450h is just a touch soft over broken pavement, something that was made even more clear by the fact that we have 2024 Honda Odyssey this week and it glided over the very same road. 😳

[@JDruRC4]

@@jax1079 I looked back cause I thought I remember you having an NX, but doesn't look like you had the PHEV one, good to hear the notes in comparison (outside of the obvious size aspect). . . Also, unfair to compare anything to the minivans of today, cause those things are just built different in comfort & offerings.

[@jax1079]

@@JDruRC4 Absolutely. It's wild what minivans are like now compared to when we were growing up.

[@JDruRC4]

@@jax1079 are you hating on the ol' Astro Vans?? 😆 My Grandpa used to work for Chevy & would drive new vehicles each month. He had a sweet burgundy, curtains on the inside, swiveling middle row captain chairs with table pop out between middle & back rows for a family vacation 1 time. 😁

[@joeblackwood6384]

It would be great if you and Megan could check out and test the Lexus NX 450h+. The NX 450h+ has the same engine and battery pack as the RX 450h+, and It's less expensive and smaller than the RX 450h+. The price NX 450h+ is roughly half-way between the price of the RX 450h+ and the Toyota RAV4 Prime. The Lexus NX 450h+ seems to be a little easier to find than the RAV4 Prime. No spare tire for either the NX 450h+ or the RX 450h+.

[@jax1079]

We are curious to try that one. We'll see what we can do 👍🏻 Thanks for watching!

[@femidawodu5514]

Great review guys! Please keep the Mrs. it's sooo refreshing to hear a very "natural womans point of view' with out all these fake or patterned reviews from us men. She just speaks from her heart and I love that ! This coming from a true car aficionado. You better keep her! LOL!! P.S.I'm now convinced to pick one up this year.

[@jax1079]

Glad you liked it!

[@johanjames4663]

Maybe it was Haley not the sharpest passenger in the back ...so toyata should should change itup for her , don't matter what you do there would be someone complaining 😂 you just can't please everyone

[@jax1079]

This is true

[@naveenthemachine]

Nope. It’s the most boring PHEV. A rav4 prime with extra lipstick is not luxury The xc60 xc90 are the best phevs in this segment .

[@CMCNestT]

This is Highlander sized with a coupe back. It is one size category up than RAV4. Chinese Geelys with extra lipstick is not luxury.

[@naveenthemachine]

@@CMCNestT but the Chinese geeked geelys don’t have a double wishbone front, elegant looks, air suspension, fast phev system, luxury features, etc.

[@jax1079]

All of which will break

[@jax1079]

This is true (although it's really about the same size as the RAV4; Shocked how similar they were side by side in the driveway)

[@naveenthemachine]

@@jax1079 true but in a luxury car reliability is the least of concern. If you want the luxury of reliability you buy a corolla