Insurance Group: 41
MPG: 44.8
CO2: 145
0-62 Mph: 7.8 secs
BHP: 295 BHP
Range: 641 miles
PROS: The RX 450 SE-L is an environmentally-friendly hybrid car that delivers owners impressive performance and comfortable control from a spacious and well-crafted cabin.
CONS: The car has a small boot making it unsuitable to accommodate large luggage for long journeys. With rear seat adjustments, boot space can be increased but only marginally. As a luxury model, the car is made for smooth roads and becomes a little difficult to handle on tough terrain.
The steering of the RX 450 SE-L can be a bit lifeless and lacks feedback, but it is easy to place on the road. The car's suspension is tuned to suit European taste, but it suffers from body roll as it takes on bends and twisting roads.
The 3.5 litre petrol engine delivers a good power boost of 295bhp at 6000 rpm with torque levels at 234 lb-ft at 4800 rpm. What really gives the punch with this Lexus model is the electric motor, giving 174bhp to the front wheels and 67bhp to the rear. With a very good fuel consumption of 44.8 mpg, the engine’s power boost sees the RX 450 SE-L going from 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds, with a top speed of 148mph. The performance is impressive for a large 4x4.
There are three driving modes one can use whilst cruising around town or on a countryside jaunt: eco, EV and snow. Eco mode conserves fuel, snow mode reduces wheel spin when the car is on icy roads. The EV mode allows the car to travel silently at speeds of 30mph and under, using the battery power alone.
This RX stands out in a crowd, but unfortunately in this case it’s for the wrong reasons. This is not a pretty car. On the contrary, it is immediately identifiable as a Lexus hybrid from the chrome trimmings and the silver and blue badge. The inside of the cabin is too conventional and doesn't feel as special as when you sit in a BMW X5 or a Mercedes ML. The command screen is a usual feature of the Lexus, which works quickly and intuitively.
The RX 450h SE-L comes equipped with a range of high end driving technology. The car features a multi-function steering wheel, front and rear park sensors, cruise control, 18-inch alloys, Bluetooth, leather electric seats, electric and folding mirrors, and dual-zone air-conditioning. As a high end SE-L model, the car also includes LED headlamps, side parking monitors, Mark Levinson audio system with DAB, keyless entry and semi-aniline leather seats with 10-way adjustment.
For such a large car, the RX doesn't have the largest boot. It can only hold 496 litres which sees it lagging behind its rivals. The lack of boot space is mainly because of the location of the battery packs. In the cabin, there is loads of space for passengers and driver alike. The rear seats also slide back and forth to give either extra leg room or extra boot space. Large mirrors provide all round visibility to the driver.
There is, like with all Lexus, a high level of safety equipment. Standard kit includes 10 airbags and whiplash-reducing active headrests. As a higher specification model, the RX450 SE-L comes equipped with Lexus’ pre-crash safety system which applies the brakes, or increases the drivers’ braking input to avoid collisions.
The car has excellent green credentials with a EURO5 emissions rating and a carbon footprint of 145 g/Km. However, the car incurs heavy running costs coming under the Road tax band of F and insurance premium group 41.
The Lexus RX 450h SE-L comes with a price tag of £54,105.The car comes equipped with a reliable engine which gives years of trouble-free service. It can be used for day to day driving from school runs and shopping to long road trips and holidays. The car continues to pay for itself as the Lexus brand enjoys good dealer services so customers can enjoy the car for longer. The combination of the car’s performance and the Lexus brand give it excellent resale values. Not a car for first time buyers or new families looking for an economical car, this model is made for drivers with fat wallets who can handle the high running costs for luxury cars.
From the highly respected high quality Lexus line, the hybrid car Lexus RX 450h has few rivals With a stylish design, excellent green credentials and low running costs, the car is a worthy investm...
From the highly respected and high quality Lexus line, the RX 450h SE-L hybrid car has few rivals. With a stylish design, excellent green credentials and low running costs, the car is a suitable au...
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