Lexus RS350h+ Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

The RX is a strong seller for Lexus. It’s the benchmark, and rightfully so. The Lexus RX blends comfort, versatility, efficiency, reliability, and luxury all to perfection. However, you might notice what’s missing from those ingredients… is an unforgettable driving experience. I put a lot of miles on this car, and when I sat down to write the review, I forgot all of them lol. This is the Lexus RX450h+ Luxury AWD.

It sounds like I’m doggin’ the Lexus RX450h+ right out the gate…

But truly, the RX is ‘the answer’ in many ways. It’s the car you recommend to your mother. Even I’ll admit, I loved the freedom of the plug-in hybrid’s (PHEV) efficiency. Starting-off the day with an extra ~30 plug-in miles felt like… a free bonus. One I admittedly didn’t want to give up.

What I’ve noticed about hybrids in general though…

They tend to create a slower, worser driver. In the real world, hybrids have a sense of pulling speed away from you to maintain efficiency. Personally, I like a car that feels more like a dog tugging on the leash. Not a car that feels like it just ate Thanksgiving dinner. Too often, I’d glance down at the speedo to find I was doing – barely the speed limit (gasp). Seriously though – passive and/or disengaged driving characteristics have a tendency to create disengaged, distracted drivers. Especially when you add all this modern tech into the recipe.

There’s a thin line between comfort & boredom…

But when it comes to comfort, the Lexus 450h+ gets it right. Behind the wheel of the RX450h+ (or any Lexus for that matter), the seats feel firm, sporty, & supportive, but simultaneously have a way of disappearing beneath you. How does Lexus do that? The tech & infotainment system in the RX is modern… but not nonsensical. Lexus doesn’t need nonsense to sell cars. Driving the Lexus RX450h+ is calming, relaxing, and reassuring. And the miles just slip by unburdened… perhaps even unnoticed. The only caveat are the electronic door handles, which I found to be pointless, and I feel may annoy/confuse the more mature & sophisticated demographic to which the RX is generally targeted.

Versatility…

The Lexus RX offers sophistication & serenity… in the versatile packaging of a crossover. A crossover with great visibility, that’s easy to maneuver, and effortless to enter/exit. And – the rear seats go down electronically, yielding substantial amount of cargo room. The RX450h+ is an attractive crossover & PHEV. One that has a way of blending in, while also standing out. Come to think of it, balance is at the core of the Lexus RX. The RX is attractive & sculpted, yet understated. It’s solid, yet supportive. Luxurious, yet efficient… with (projected) low maintenance costs. Versatile, yet refined. Modern, yet tactile. In all things, the Lexus RX achieves balance… to the point of almost complete neutrality. At the beginning of this article, I kind of smugly disregarded that balance as forgettable… but it’s actually brilliant. What’s not brilliant is…

The naming of the Lexus RX lineup…

This can get muddy. The RX line consists of 7 models now… with 14 sub-models… I think. RX450h+ is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV). It’s got a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (no turbo). The three RX350 models run the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine (no hybrid). Unless it’s the RX350h. In which case it has the 2.5-liter hybrid (but no plug-in & no turbo). Then you have two RX500h models. These have the 2.4-liter turbo with hybrid… but no plug-in/PHEV option. Get it?? Yeah me neither. PS: Also pay attention to the different transmissions that come in the different models.