2021 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid

The SUV comes in two trim levels, 450h and 450h F Sport, which as you all know is Lexus’s sporty variant of the vehicle. The 450h, even though touted as a luxury SUV, comes with basic features like dual-zone climate control, faux leather upholstery, and a 9-speaker sound system. Lexus has one of the best suites of active safety features as standard, and we can’t stop appreciating them. For the F Sport trim, the features list stays the same, but as it is a sports variant, the SUV gets a sport-tuned suspension, 20-inch wheels, and some special exterior styling elements. The F Sport trim of the SUV will be reviewed separately. 

Which trim should you buy? 

Well, which trim to buy isn’t a difficult choice to make here but which options you should get with it is more important. The F Sport trim is appearance for the most part except it gets sports suspension, but that’s it. So just get the 450h trim along with the Luxury Package & Navigation Package. Both add a plethora of features you would want in a luxury SUV. So overall, you are looking at a $55k price tag, but this is one of the best value-for-money luxury SUVs you will have with money. 

SUVs usually suffer from gas mileage, and it is a given considering the size and big engines they have. The RX450h, however, has a stellar fuel economy of 30 MPG combined. Even the city's fuel efficiency is much better compared to the competition. The 17.2-gallon fuel tank gives it one of the best-combined traveling ranges of 516 miles. 

The Acura MDX did great in performance and braking, but it had to suffer somewhere, and it’s the fuel economy. A bigger powerful engine and big size do have their perks, but balancing everything is a skill every manufacturer should have. That skill is possessed by Lexus and Acura though. The Land Rover suffers greatly here.

The interior of the RX450h is really beautiful, and even though this was expected from Lexus, we should appreciate the fact that the designers didn’t overdo anything inside this cabin. Most of the body panels are covered in faux leather or genuine leather depending on what you choose. The dashboard design is funky, it is like layers stacked upon each other. The subtle accent lines and wooden inlays make sure the cabin does look like a luxurious one. Overall, for the style of the cabin, the 450h deserves a thumbs up. 

The switches on this vehicle beep every time you press one, which gets a bit annoying. Lexus makes some of the best seats on the market, and the ones on this SUV aren’t any exception. The contours on the seats are well thought out and support the body nicely. The heating and ventilation function on these seats is automatic, and depending on the ambient temperature, the SUV regulates the temperature on its own. The second-row seats are comfortable and can house 3 people easily. Overall, the cabin of the 450h is luxurious and comfortable, just don’t forget to get the Luxury package. 

The cargo capacity of the 450h with the second row up is good enough, and as always, the seats can be folded down which creates 32.6 cubic feet of overall cargo space. The seats are electronically folded and take their sweet time folding down and getting back up, all accompanied by melodious beeps. Even the tailgate beeps while closing, why? Just why? Let’s see some of the interior highlights of the 450h.

• Ambient lighting (Optional)
• Panoramic sunroof (Optional)
• 3 zone automatic climate control (Optional) 
• Illuminated Door sills (Optional) 
• Automatic heating & ventilation 
• Plenty of USB ports for charging 

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The RX450h got its touch controls in 2020, and they have been done right, one of the best in the market right now. The base infotainment system has an 8.0-inch touch screen & gets Android Auto & Apple CarPlay as standard. The system can also be controlled via the trackpad, which was the sole option before this. The Navigation Package gets you a bigger 12.3-inch touch screen and a 12 speaker sound system. If you are someone who is brand conscious, then the $3,100 Mark Levinson system is the way to go.

The touch input and overall responsiveness of this screen are exceptional, and it loads up the menus pretty fast as well. Major infotainment features include:

• 8.0 / 12.3-inch touch screen
• 12 speaker / 15 speaker Mark Levinson sound system 
• Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
• SD card for maps
• Navigation
• Real-time traffic info
• Lexus Enform Suite 
• CD/DVD player 

The RX Series has been a bestseller for Lexus for quite a few years now, and we can’t decide on what did the job - the design or the complete vehicle itself. The RX 450h does pick up on the trend and the overall design language is bulbous, but it still has some distinct traits of aggression. For example, take a look at the front end - the hourglass grille and super sharp LED headlight assembly resembles their sporty sedans. There are many body lines on this SUV, a little too many for a luxury SUV.

The floating roofline design might remind you of someone, think a little. At the back, it is the usual business with LED lights and a brushed aluminum trim piece. Overall, the design of the RX450h is a mixed bag of curvaceousness and edgy lines.

Ford, by their habit, has still designed an SUV bigger than most of its peers, and it is their mid-size entry. By dimensions, it is the widest, tallest, and longest vehicle in the group today. The width sure does allow it to have more room inside the cabin. When comparing the ground clearance, the Land Rover Discovery offers the most at 8.3 inches. The Lexus is a lot smaller in terms of sheer size. Major exterior highlights of the SUV include:

• LED headlights & taillights
• Black grille & wheels (F Sport)
• Floating roof design 
• Hourglass grille
• Polished exhaust tips 

The 2021 RX450h has a solid safety arrangement in both the features as well as in the crash tests results. In the IIHS testing, the SUV has scored a ‘Good’ rating in all the crash tests. The NHTSA crash tests reveal a different story as it has got only 4-stars in overall safety and frontal crash tests. Lexus has left no stone unturned in providing safety features to the RX 450h, including the blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alerts, which are now standard for 2021. Major safety features include:

• Automatic emergency braking
• Auto high beam
• Adaptive cruise control
• Active lane keep assist 
• 360-degree camera view 
• Lane departure warning

2021 Lexus RX 450h vs 2021 Land Rover Discovery Hybrid

The moment you step inside the Land Rover Discovery, you won’t feel like getting out. The overall interior and technology inside are second to none. Well, the price difference is huge, but it is one of the only SUVs that fit the segment. But, in most other regards, the Lexus is a better pick and comes to be our choice between the two. 

2021 Lexus RX 450h vs Ford Explorer Hybrid

The Ford Explorer is an immensely luxurious SUV, but it is not as luxurious as the Lexus. It is much larger and has a very decent towing capacity but appeals to a more utilitarian segment. It also suffers in terms of fuel efficiency and hence is not very appealing to buyers in this segment. The decision between the two depends majorly on your priorities.

2021 Lexus RX450h vs 2021 Acura MDX Hybrid

The Acura MDX and Lexus RX450h both offer an equal number of features. The interior is similar on both the SUVs, and the front & second-row comfort is great. While the Lexus offers an aggressive design, the Acura is more leaning towards family guy looks. The Matrix LED setup on the Acura is notably different compared to the Lexus. Overall, it all depends on how you or your significant other feel about either of these SUVs.

The 2021 Lexus RX 450h is a capable SUV that provides loads of luxury and enough power for an average user. The safety features available as standard makes it an alluring choice for your family. The price at which all of this comes is reasonable, to say the least, but if compared with the competition, it’s a steal deal. The daily driving experience of the 450h is plush, and with the premium sound system it comes with, you will enjoy the long journeys with your loved ones.