Hybrids

2021 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid - Re-Driven Review - Electrified Radiant Usefulness

2021 Lexus 450h Hybrid AWD F-Sport: 4th generation mid size Radiance X-over is top selling luxury vehicle in America.

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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
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

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

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.