Lexus RX450h 2020 review: snapshot

The Lexus RX 450h 2020 model is the flagship powertrain offering in the Japanese luxury brand’s large SUV line-up. You can get it as a five-seater or a seven-seater.

The RX 450h name relates to the powertrain this model uses. It’s a 3.5-litre V6 engine backed by a 50kW electric motor on the rear axle and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The combined power output of the hybrid model is 230kW, but Lexus doesn’t specify a combined torque figure. It is AWD and uses a CVT with six-step ratios.

Being a hybrid, fuel use is the big selling point - and in five-seat guise it uses a claimed 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres, while the seven-seater RX 450hL uses 6.0L/100km. 

Explore the 2020 Lexus RX range

• Lexus RX300 2020 review: snapshot
• Lexus RX 2020 review
• Lexus RX350 2020 review: snapshot
• Lexus RX450h 2020 review: snapshot
• Lexus RX seven-seat 2020 review: snapshot

As with the other models in the range, the RX 450h powertrain can be had in Luxury guise (list price $91,090 for the five-seater, $94,470 for the RX 450hL seven-seater), or as an F Sport five-seater ($103,440) or in Sports Luxury trim ($109,340, or $111,070 with three rows of seats).

The RX 450h Luxury grade has 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and daytime running lights (with auto on/off function and auto high-beam), front cornering lamps, rains sensing wipers, and a power tailgate with kick-to-open function. 

Inside, Luxury models have the new 12.3-inch touch screen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a GPS navigation system (sat nav), DAB digital radio (as well as CD player and AM/FM radio), Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, a 12-speaker sound system, six USB ports (four front, two rear), wireless phone charging, smart key entry and push-button start, power adjustable steering column, climate control air-con and rear privacy glass (tinted windows). It runs a fake leather trim standard.

Being a hybrid, fuel use is the big selling point for the 450h.

Stepping up to F Sport or Sports Luxury sees adaptive “blade scan” LED headlights and 20-inch wheels. These models gain adaptive variable suspension, plus leather interior trim (with sports seats in the F Sport) with heating and cooling for the front seats. The rear seats have retractable sunshades.

The F Sport features additional bracing front and rear for “an even more dynamic character”, with sports suspension, a Mark Levinson sound system with 15 speakers, and a 360-degree camera display.

Top-spec Sports Luxury versions include the audio-visual upgrades, but also add power-adjustable rear seats, second-row seat heating and semi-aniline leather upholstery.