> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.roadblazing.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 2021 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid - Re-Driven Review - Electrified Radiant Usefulness - URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2021-lexus-rx-450h-hybrid-re-driven-review-electrified-radiant-usefulness/ - Published: 2021-05-11T13:56:00.000Z - Updated: 2024-05-15T03:35:06.000Z - Author: George Straton - Tags: Hybrids, Crossover Utility Vehicles ### *POLARIZING RADIANCE IS MOST POPULAR:* Admittedly an acquired taste, no other luxury vehicle has found as much love among American mothers and, for that matter, fathers, sons and daughters as the **Lexus RX** crossover SUV. The current fourth generation **Lexus RX** is about one foot longer than the original XU10 series and continues to cook-up the most desired recipe for premium mid-size crossover utility vehicle available. ### ELECTRIFIED REASON FOR RE-DRIVE: An "L" for extended length conventional [combustion engine powered **RX 350L**](https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-lexus-rx-350l-awd-bottom-line-review/) is already under **Roadblazing.com**'s testing belt. The drive partner for this round happens to be the most popular battery electric hybrid luxury vehicle in the U.S., the mid-cycle refreshed **2021 Lexus RX 450h AWD** sparkling in Celestial Blue glass flake F-Sport Black Line motif. #### #### *Driving Hits:* - No. 1 selling gas-battery electric hybrid luxury crossover SUV available in U.S. - **308 hp** (230 kW) Net Hybrid = 193 kW (259 hp) / 247 lb-ft DOHC Atkinson gas V-6 engine + 123 kW (165 hp) 650 V permanent sealed magnet electric Motor Generator 2 + \[AWD only\] 50kW (67 hp) 650 V permanent sealed magnet electric Motor Generator 3 ![2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: 2 x 650 V permanent magnet AC motors are supplied by a 1.88 kWh NiMH battery pack adding 350 lbs.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2021/05/RB-2021-Lexus-RX-450h-FSport-engine-P2010251-bc.jpg) 2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: 2 x 650 V permanent magnet AC motors are supplied by a 1.88 kWh NiMH battery pack adding 350 lbs. - 1.875 kWh regenerative recharging 30 modules (240 cells) x 9.6V Ni-MH battery pack - Ample around scoot zip in Sport Mode - Standard on-demand all-wheel drive - Active corner braking quells some understeer - Lexus solid build - Lexus contemplative cabin isolation from road and powertrain - 10-step CVT with fixed ratio planetary first gear, manumatic step shifting - Pure battery electric mode ![2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: power flow displays](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2021/05/RB-2021-Lexus-RX-450h-FSport-driving-power-flow-EV-mode-004c.jpg) 2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: power flow displays - No need to fuss with charging cord - 30 miles per gallon combined driving fuel economy - 482 miles estimated highway range - Decent road compliance on 20" Bridgestone Ecopia touring tires - Predictable body motion and appropriately hefty steering weighting *Driving Misses:* - +353 lbs. vs. non-hybrid **Lexus RX 350** \= increased body roll & dive - Longer throttle tip-in and slower than non-hybrid RX 350 - Continuously variable transaxle doesn't feel very stepped - Steering feel anesthetized - Pure electric operation limited to parking lot speeds - No all-terrain capability with all-season highway rubber #### *What It Has Got:* - *From* **$49,370** (incl. destination) for a **2021 Lexus RX 450 Hybrid AWD** . The tested **2021 RX 450h AWD F-Sport** ticks off at a total of **$56,795**. - 4th generation (AL20 series) of mid size luxury crossover sports activity vehicle - Available extended length 3-Row "L" model - Eye catching Celestial Blue glass flake paint ![2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: Sports the polarizing dark honeycomb filled spindle snout](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2021/05/RB-2021-Lexus-RX-450h-FSport-ext-fr-undr-P2010155-bc.jpg) 2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: Sports the polarizing dark honeycomb filled spindle snout - Rather chiseled evolution of Jelly Bean SUV w/ floating roof D-pillar ![2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: Celestial Blue hue is rather radiant](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2021/05/RB-2021-Lexus-RX-450h-FSport-ext-sid-P2010205-bc.jpg) 2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: Celestial Blue hue is rather radiant - Immense spindle grille and Kammback liftgate = acquired taste - Gold standard for solid build, tight seams, syrupy smooth control action - Tall, yet car -like riding - Accommodates 5 adults with plenty of space - Car-like twin cowl intimate cockpit instrument and control layout - Supportive front seat bolstering, especially on F-Sport - 40/20/40% split nearly flat folding 2nd Row seat backs, remote cargo bay releases ![2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: 40/20/40 split folding 2nd Row seat backs](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2021/05/RB-2021-Lexus-RX-450h-FSport-cargo-Row-2-005c.jpg) 2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: 40/20/40 split folding 2nd Row seat backs - Sub cargo floor storage - Epicurean feeling materials, high resolution displays - Good for segment standard feature set - Heated mirrors, front seats, headlamp washers - Keyless comfort entry, ignition - Bi-LED headlamps - Adaptive cruise control - Power windows full express x 4 - Power liftgate - 2-zone automatic climate - 10 way/ 5-way power adjust driver / front pax seats - Bluetooth wireless communications and music stream - Dual ELD dial gauges, 4.2"-inch TFT color MFD - USB-A x 6 - 8.0"-inch touch LCD infotainment display w/ Remote touch interface control - 9 speaker , 360W CD, streaming audio - Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa - Real time traffic, weather - Enform Remote vehicle services - Wi-Fi - Stand-out safety features & grades - 10 SRS airbags - IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus - Safety System Plus 2.0 - Rear camera, Forward Collision avoidance w/ pedestrian & daytime cyclist detection braking; Adaptive cruise control - full; Lane keep assist, lane centering & tracing; Blind spot warning; Rear cross traffic warning; Road sign detection; Auto high beams headlamps - 4 year / 50,000 miles bumper to bumper, 6 yrs / 70k mi. powertrain. 10 yrs. / 150k mi. hybrid component warranty includes 1 yr. / 10k mi. maintenance #### *What It Has Not (or Not Preferred):* - Lexus Spindle grille = acquired taste - Tall cargo liftover - 13% less nominal cargo space (due to EV battery) - No 2nd Row seat heating - Getting the hang of touch-pad remote infotainment display control - Lexus Enform free infotainment apps have been gutted #### *Standout Features on tested 2021 Lexus RX 450h AWD F-SPORT BLACKLINE*: - Heads Up Display - 12.3" dashtop media display w/ native cloud GPS Navigation ![2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: available HUD displays adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and native cloud navigation](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2021/05/RB-2021-Lexus-RX-450h-FSport-driving-nav-ADAS-HUD-005c.jpg) 2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: available HUD displays adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and native cloud navigation - Mark Levinson 15-speaker 835 watt 7.1 DTS audiophile audio - Cabin panel & seating blue contrast stitching - Wide shoulder bolster F-sport seats, heated & cooled front, driver's 2 position memory [![2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: Enhanced bolstering F-Sport NuLuxe front bucket seats are retain admirable comfort](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2021/05/RB-2021-Lexus-RX-450h-FSport-seats-driver-P2010572-bc.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2021/05/RB-2021-Lexus-RX-450h-FSport-seats-driver-P2010572-bc.jpg?ref=roadblazing.com) 2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: Enhanced bolstering F-Sport NuLuxe front bucket seats are retain admirable comfort - Heated power tilt, telescope leather F-Sport steering wheel w/ transmission shift paddles - Power folding side mirrors - Approach activated power liftgate - Inductive wireless device charging pad - Sonar park assist w/ surround camera view - Blackline 2-piece set of matching Zero Haliburton luggage #### *ROADBLAZING.COM's SUMMATION:* **2021 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport** \= Unconventional looks notwithstanding, incomparable fuel economy and refinement, make this the land's most loved luxury mid-size gas hybrid electric crossover vehicle. [2018 Lexus RX 350L AWD - Bottom Line Review(Contributing Editor: Peter Stamatis) No Single Size Fits All. However, More Sizes Fit That Many More. At a time when individualistic active lifestyle counts for a lot, automakers have become keen to this lesson. Narrow new segments are slotting above and below old ones like major stock splits. The tailoring![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/size/w256h256/2024/05/rb-wheel500.png)RoadBlazingGeorge Straton![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/size/w1200/2024/05/RB-2018-Lexus-RX-350L-AWD-ext-fr-P1330346-abd.jpg)](https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-lexus-rx-350l-awd-bottom-line-review/)