The 2011 Lexus RX Hybrid blends a luxurious interior and a refined powertrain with excellent fuel economy. Though it’s expensive compared to the gas-only RX, reviewers say it’s an excellent hybrid SUV.
The Lexus RX 450h is like that old Reese’s commercial. With the RX hybrid, Lexus got a hybrid in their luxury and luxury in their hybrid. Go for the RX Hybrid and you’ll get a high-end and high-tech interior, smooth performance, and the satisfaction of saving some gas.
Other luxury brands are introducing hybrid SUVs. If you don’t want a hybrid but do want a Lexus, go for the Lexus RX 350.
The 2011 Lexus RX 450 comes in only one trim in front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The conventional RX 350 is reviewed separately.
Taking into account the RX's lower price and its refined, light-effort approach to daily driving, the 2011 Lexus RX 450h remains our recommended choice for a luxury hybrid crossover SUV.
The 2011 Lexus RX 450h is a five-passenger midsize luxury SUV available in front- or all-wheel-drive versions. The Premium package adds leather seating, a sunroof, a power tailgate, driver seat memory, a rear-seat armrest and an iPod interface. The Luxury package includes 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, power-retractable outside mirrors, upgraded leather seating, side-view cameras, a wood and leather steering wheel and extendable front seat cushions. Powering the 2011 Lexus RX 450h is a combination of a 3.5-liter gasoline V6 engine and electric motors. The all-wheel-drive version adds a third electric motor to drive the rear wheels.
Standard safety equipment for the 2011 Lexus RX 450h includes antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front and rear seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and dual front knee bags. Optional is the pre-collision system that comes packaged with adaptive cruise control. In Edmunds brake testing, a front-wheel-drive Lexus RX 450h came to a stop from 60 mph in an acceptable 127 feet. In government crash testing, the Lexus RX 450h earned perfect five-star marks for front and rear passenger protection in frontal and side impacts.
The 2011 Lexus RX 450h isn't a model you should pick if you want to show the world you bought a hybrid.
Beneath the hood, the 2011 RX 450h is completely different. Just as with the 'normal' gasoline Lexus RX 350, there's not a lot to get excited about, but there's a lot to make you feel comfortable and secure. Bluetooth, power front seats, and dual-zone climate control are standard, while options include leather seating, a side-view monitor, excellent Mark Levinson audio, a hard-drive navigation system with live traffic info, remote start, and rear entertainment.