Is The RX 450h A Good Affordable Hybrid Luxury CSUV?

Lexus as we know it has been the epitome of affordable luxury given to us by Toyota. Like always, Lexus has built their cars to compete against the likes of the higher-end luxury brands but at a more affordable cost. So, is the RX 450h a great bang-for-your-buck for luxury? Or is does it flop like a fish out of water? Let's find out with its looks, price and options, and performance because that is what affordable luxury is.

Exterior Styling

The exterior of the RX 450h looks like almost all of the new Lexus models out. But the manufacturer has a way of making them look brilliant. There is beauty at every angle. There are no edges or any end to the style. The body lines flow smoothly over one anther to give the RX 450h the curves of what one could describe as "luxury." The only thing Lexus seems to like is the really big grille. But even then it looks a bit like an hourglass by design. I guess to describe how beauty should be seen? Timeless? Maybe I am reading too much into it. The blue "h" clearly resembles that the 450 is a hybrid. That is one of the only differences between the Lexus lineup. Either way, the RX 450h is luxurious and beautiful. And those are two different words.

Interior Design

Lexus didn't stop with the luxury and beauty on the outside of the RX 450h. One can tell the main focus was inside the cabin. Real wood trim, leather, metal, and some plastic all put together and made into something marvelous. The final touch is the analog clock under the infotainment system. The RX 450h breathes beauty and luxury. Even so, that when stopped or in reverse while the 450h is solely running on battery power, it sounds like a choir is singing one single note. I am not lying about that. The RX 450h also has plenty of space not only for the people in the back, but still has plenty of trunk space for trips or grocery shopping.

Price and Options

So, how much does this RX 450h cost? After everything, it comes to $58,490. What does it come with? Well, for safety, the RX 450h does get an overall "5 Star" rating from the government with "4 Star" ratings in both frontal crash and rollover. The RX 450h comes with safety features like 10 airbags, brake assist, smart stop technology, lane tracing assist, pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with lane steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, parking assist, panoramic view monitor, and rear cross traffic braking. For comfort and convenience, the RX 450h comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, Bluetooth connectivity, heads-up display, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, powered heated and ventilated front seats, kick sensor opening trunk, sat-nav, premium audio system (which I have to say is the best I have ever heard so far in a vehicle, no lie), and a panoramic sunroof.

Performance

The hybrid system is mated to a 3.5L V6 giving it 308 horsepower but weighs over 4,700 pounds. Ride comfort is great thanks to the seats and suspension. Both don't upset the ride easily. The seats give great support while the suspension components offer the best stability. Acceleration is smooth and linear. The brakes are quite bitey. Steering is light like almost all new cars. But there is something about it all that makes it feel luxurious. It is probably due to the comfortable ride and the linear acceleration. Braking needs to be bitey for safety purposes. But most luxury brands do make their rides for the sake of comfort and that is what the RX 450h gives in its performance: ride comfort. Fuel economy with my driving habits gave me 27 miles to the gallon overall.

Conclusion

So, is the Lexus RX 450h a good affordable hybrid luxury CSUV? In almost every aspect it is. But there are manufacturers who are selling some of their luxury models at a cheaper price to compete with almost the rest of the world. This gives a new meaning to affordable. A new Lexus priced at $58,000 is around the same price as a Mercedes-Benz, thanks to the Germans. But what brands like Mercedes-Benz doesn't do is add a bit of that choir in there to congratulate the owner of buying a Lexus. And that is where Lexus wins with a little bit of difference to the mix.

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