Review: 2024 Lexus RX450h+ Plug-in Hybrid [Canada]. First-ever PHEV for the best-selling RX family!

For 2024, Lexus’s best-selling model family now includes a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) for the first time. It is built in Japan too!
It isn't overly sporty, so it's a worthy consideration for shoppers looking to save some gas money without sacrificing luxury, and want to proactively ease into electrified vehicle ownership. We are nowhere near ready for mass adoption of EVs in Canada as daily drivers despite the Canadian government's plan to force all vehicle manufacturers to sell only EVs or PHEVs by the year 2035. In my opinion, PHEVs are the best compromise for now if you want a versatile electrified vehicle to drive around town and to also use on a long road trip whenever, wherever.

[@forevr_8]

My Instagram: instagram.com/forevr_8/ Read my automotive reviews in more detail with photos: forevr8.com/automotive-reviews Automotive reviews for eliteGen magazine: English: elitegen.singtao.ca/author/william/ Chinese: elitegen.singtao.ca/tc/featured/保時捷75載成就夢想/

[@myst1chu85]

I love the night driving view. Thank you so much!

[@forevr_8]

You’re welcome! Thx for watching. Lexus’s headlight systems are really good and their auto high beams are also very sensitive (a good thing) compared to other similar systems.

[@user-sp8bz2je7e]

Awesome review! I enjoyed your attention to details, such as the brake lights during regenerative braking, which other reviewers haven’t mentioned. Excellent job! While I want to purchase a Lexus RX 450h+, I look forward to your reviews of other vehicles!

[@forevr_8]

Thx so much, Dave! Yeah, there’s some cool tech, and these electrified cars need the auto brake lights bc of the regen braking. I almost slammed into a Tesla the other day bc of its strong regen braking. :@

[@stephenwinter8892]

Greetings from oakville Ontario thanks for the presentation also the 2 tmmc plant in Cambridge and Woodstock Ontario I have been there 5 times more to the Cambridge plant

[@forevr_8]

Hi Stephen, I am close to Oakville too, hello! I too have been to the Cambridge plant to see how Lexii are built, twice actually. It’s pretty cool!

[@PhilT993]

Thanks. You mentioned a lot of little things not mentioned in other reviews.

[@joreno4419]

Great Review and does it have a spare tire ? And everyone noticed the squirrel in the video at around 12.22 minutes ? 😄

[@forevr_8]

Hi Jis, thx for your kind comment and for watching! Sadly it comes with just a tire repair kit. OEMs like to position tire repair kits as being “faster” to get back on the road, but the reality is they prefer providing those to save weight on the vehicles and costs. I myself always prefer having a spare tire.

[@garrylau8896]

I got a fully loaded luxury version in the US and we don't even have the passenger memory seats and the side buttons to move the seat forward and back like yours does.

[@forevr_8]

Oh wow, what a glaring omission. In Canada, we only get one model, a fully loaded one since we’re a small market and probably it’s for Lexus to maximize profit.

[@user-sp8bz2je7e]

You are correct that the the US doesn’t get the front passenger memory seat on the RX (RX350, RX350h, and RX500h), but the plug-in hybrid RX450h+ does have the front passenger memory seat. Unlike the other models which are built in Canada for the US market, the plug-in hybrid is built in Japan. (Perhaps for all markets?)

[@glyw]

So 60km ev range. What about during cold winter weather? 30km usable range?

[@forevr_8]

Hi there, I had the vehicle for a week in mid-December. On one full change, I recall getting about 40 kilometres of all electric range with a mix of highway and arterial roads. Sixty km is indeee ambitious; I would think around 50 km would be realistic with some stop and go driving in the summer and no AC (if mostly highway, probably just 30-40km at most since EV mode is less efficient at high speeds).

[@forevr_8]

That said, the value is over time, if you’re charging every night and using the car to pick up kids from school, do errands, go to the gym in town, or have a short commute to work, you could do all those short trips on electric power, which will help save a lot of gas and reduce emissions.

[@CMCNestT]

If consumers don't buy EVs then companies won't install public DC fast chargers.

[@forevr_8]

Hi there, I think you’re right. EVs are a hard sell right now. The Canadian government is taking the wrong approach forcing EVs on consumers. They should instead let consumers decide what to buy just like how consumers decided to stream movies and stop renting.

[@stephenwinter8892]

I have the mitsubishi outlander phev 61 kms of range/charge and mine was $55,000

[@forevr_8]

That’s a great price for a PHEV. PHEV would be my recommendation for people over a hubrid. Does your Outlander have a heated steering wheel?

[@Mark-de4hj]

Not painting the bottom fender of the car especially an SUV is practical not "weird". That portion is typical where the vehicle gets hit with rocks, pebbles, debris etc. Additionally, some of you "reviewers' need to grow a couple instead of always catering to and repeating every nonsense you hear. I have seen this vehicle in person and there is NOTHING wrong with its front=end appearance. Stop with the sillness or find something else to do!

[@forevr_8]

Hi Mark, those plastic unpainted lower rocker finishers can fade over time and would look better painted on a premium vehicle in my humble opinion. If it’s painted, you can apply paint protection film to those rockers to preserve their condition. I also didn’t denigrate the front end. I actually applauded Lexus for taking a risk with the design, and that despite the radical design, it won’t deter loyal buyers. And also, everyone is entitled to their opinion on styling. Some like the front end and some won’t.

[@Mark-de4hj]

@@forevr_8 Sorry if I came off a bit harsh, it's just a culmination of my frustration with reviews basically seeming to want to cater for 'likes' instead of being totally transparent. I have had the outgoing iteration of the Lexus RX450h (my 3rd), and more than 6 yrs later it looks like new especially if you clean it properly. My other cars without it have not fared as well. I know sometimes people tend to ignore practicality for looks. One guy here even made a comment that the RX, "looked too utilitarian as opposed to "others" LOL. These are called SUVs (Sport UTILITY vehicles!) So, you can understand why when reviewers cater, it doesnt help. BTW, paint protection film gets ripped up in that location and is one more unnecessary step to have to worry about

[@jeffreya.warren2706]

I just ordered this as an RX350H Luxury. Identitical to this car except for a black interior. I’m just not ready to keep plugging in and paying an additional $8-$9,000 USD for that privilege.

[@forevr_8]

Hi there, congrats on the RX350h! I hear you, and you’ll find value in the hybrid system. I just drove the Lexus TX500h 3 row (still gotta edit the video) and it was very efficient.

[@derrekb4501]

Suggest you get a mic and speaker louder... very low voice can barely hear you