Fast Facts | 2026 Lexus RX 450h+ Luxury AWD
🔋 Electric Range: Manufacturer-estimated 38 miles
⚡ Powertrain: 2.5-liter inline-four plus electric motors for 304 horsepower
🚀 Performance: 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds with a top speed of 124 mph
🔌 Charging: DC Level 2 charging from 0 to 100 percent in approximately 2.5 hours
🧳 Cargo Space: 46.2 cubic feet, unchanged from the gas-powered Lexus RX
💰 As Tested: $76,965 for the 2026 Luxury tester with options
Lexus has rediscovered its mojo. The latest RX, particularly in top plug-in hybrid RX 450h+ form, is a truly fine vehicle with spectacular attention to detail and the kind of polished ride quality that sets a high-water mark in the five-seat luxury SUV segment.
I didn’t want to give the keys back after putting several hundred miles on a shimmering silver RX 450h+ in aptly named Luxury trim. It’s no thrill ride, and it’s not the prettiest thing on the road, but its ability to make every drive feel serene made it a delightful companion, on electric or gasoline power alike.
A Low-Compromise Plug-In Hybrid
Lexus offers many RX variants, most of which are electrified. Only one can plug in: the RX 450h+, which pairs a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four with a pair of electric motors fed by a lithium-ion battery pack tucked under the rear seats. This setup pushes 304 horsepower to all four wheels, with the rear two driven exclusively by electric power.
The result is brisk, nearly silent acceleration. Lexus quotes 6.2 seconds to 60 mph, but the most impressive quality is how effortlessly the RX 450h+ passes at highway speeds. Its electric motors deliver plenty of torque, compensating for the fact that the gasoline engine is naturally aspirated rather than turbocharged.
The RX 450h+ works best when you understand the daily-use logic behind plug-in hybrids, and this plug-in hybrid overview explains why electric commuting with gas backup can make so much sense ➜
The RX 450h+ is truly at its best on all-electric power. The battery charges in under three hours on a typical Level 2 charger, the kind most plug-in vehicle owners install at home. With a full charge, it motors along with plenty of punch, with even less interior rumble than when it's working as a hybrid. I saw close to 40 miles of all-electric range on a full charge, though I did have to manually reset the system to EV-only mode each time I restarted the car. With that range, many drivers may rarely, if ever, need to use the gas engine at all.
Once the battery is depleted, the RX 450h+ is rated by Lexus to return up to 35 mpg combined, an impressive figure that more than offsets the cost of the premium fuel it requires.
The RX 450h+ is not particularly sporty, and that’s just fine. The steering is quick and direct, with reasonable heft that helps it stay in its lane at highway speeds without feeling cumbersome in a crowded mall parking lot.
My test vehicle rode on large 21-inch alloy wheels, the only size Lexus offers on the RX 450h+. Normally, that's a red flag for me, since big wheels wear thin tires that typically offer little in the way of impact absorption. But even without a particularly advanced suspension, the RX swallowed up big bumps and shrugged off minor road imperfections. It's one of the most pleasant rides around.
Luxurious Touches Throughout
I’ll admit I checked out the window sticker, detailing its standard and optional features, before I even unlocked the car. At $77,000, I had high expectations. The RX 450h+ Luxury largely exceeded them.
At this price, I expect certain things: soft semi-aniline leather upholstery over power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated seats; a large, responsive touchscreen (14.0 inches here) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; a big sunroof; soft ambient lighting; and a wireless charging pad. The RX delivers all of that. But there are plenty of surprise-and-delight features here, too: real bamboo trim on the dash, center console, and door panels, as well as a suede-like headliner that gave the cabin a resort-like feel every time my hand brushed across it.
For shoppers comparing premium PHEV SUVs beyond Lexus, this plug-in hybrid crossover SUV guide gives a broader look at the segment ➜
My test car was further optioned up with a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, a digital rearview mirror projecting a live view of the road behind me, and every bit of hands-off driver-assistance tech that Lexus offers. While not a true hands-free system, it did an excellent job centering itself in its lane on the highway with my hands resting gently on the wheel.
The only downside to all this tech is the digital instrument cluster. It’s information overload, making it almost impossible to view a screen with just the basics. That feels at odds with the RX’s otherwise demure demeanor.
Room for the Crew
For carrying passengers and their gear in serious comfort, the RX 450h+ is excellent. The front seats offer tremendous adjustment and solid support overall, though some passengers found them a bit firm on longer rides. Wide-opening rear doors reveal decent legroom and a bench wide enough for two (three-abreast would be tight).
The cargo area can swallow 29.6 cubic feet of stuff behind the rear seatbacks, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet when the seatbacks are folded (at the touch of a button). Those figures are the same across the entire RX lineup, plug-in hybrid included. In terms of practicality, too, the RX 450h+ is a low-compromise vehicle. No wonder I still miss its presence.
🔋 More Refined Plug-In SUV Options
2026 Lexus TX 550h+ PHEV Review
A natural next read for Lexus shoppers who want plug-in hybrid efficiency with three-row space, more power, and a larger family SUV footprint.
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2026 Lexus RZ550e F Sport Review: The RZ Gets Its Groove Back
Lexus shoppers curious about going fully electric can see how the updated RZ brings more performance, style, and personality to the brand’s EV lineup.
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2025 Lexus TX 500h F Sport Performance
A useful follow-up for readers who like Lexus luxury but want to compare the RX 450h+ with a sportier, hybrid-powered three-row SUV.
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