In-depth reviews

Lexus RX review

The new Lexus RX is more efficient than ever, with much improved technology on board, but it comes up short in terms of practicality

Overall Auto Express Rating

3.8 out of 5

Price
£62,435 to £82,435
  • Comfortable ride
  • Exemplary build quality
  • Finally a plug-in hybrid version
  • Rivals more practical
  • Some rivals more efficient
  • Divisive looks
Find your Lexus RX
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

The latest Lexus RX is another big leap forward for the Japanese carmaker. The wealth of technology on board is thoroughly impressive, the build quality is phenomenal and there’s finally a plug-in hybrid version. 

In fact, the mid-range plug-in RX 450h+ is our pick of the range, thanks to its superior fuel economy and refinement over the less expensive but still easy-going RX 350h ‘self-charging’ hybrid. The range-topping 500h is an appealing offering as it uses a ‘performance hybrid’ system but while it’s the best RX to drive, it’s not exactly a sporty SUV. Plug-in hybrid versions of the RX’s key rivals can go further on battery power alone and are even more efficient, so there’s still room for improvement.

Sadly there’s no sign of a seven-seat RX L either, and for such a large SUV boot space is average, rather than generous. But the RX continues to prioritise comfort over driving dynamics, so if you're looking for a large, refined, easy-going SUV – and you can stomach the styling – Lexus’s flagship SUV is better than ever.

About the Lexus RX

The original Lexus RX launched back in 1998 at the dawn of the luxury SUV boom. With its foot in the segment nice and early, Lexus enjoyed great success with the combination of comfort, impeccable build quality and peerless reliability the RX offered. 

Those traits have been at the forefront of every RX since but the most important model was arguably the second-generation of the mid-2000s – touted as the first luxury hybrid vehicle in RX 400h form.

The latest, fifth-generation Lexus RX is also available exclusively with hybrid power in the UK, offered with a choice of ‘self-charging’ hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains.  

However, you’ll find hybrid technology in the lion share of the RX’s closest rivals in the large luxury SUV segment, including the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE, Volvo XC90, Range Rover Sport and Porsche Cayenne. All five are available in plug-in hybrid form, but those looking to seriously reduce their running costs may also find some fully electric SUVs like the BMW iX, Audi Q8 e-tron and Tesla Model X very attractive. 

Unlike the previous-generation RX, this new version is only available with five seats, with no signs yet that the seven-seat RX L will return to Lexus’s line-up. 

The ‘self-charging’ hybrids are the RX 350h, which produces 247bhp from a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol and two electric motors, while the RX 500h “performance hybrid” pumps out 366bhp from its pair of e-motors and a turbocharged 2.4-litre petrol engine – the first time Lexus has mated turbocharging with hybrid power. 

In the middle of the pack sits the RX 450h+, which Lexus expects to account for more than half of RX sales. The first-ever RX PHEV uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors again, this time supplied by a much larger 18.1kWh battery. The benefits are an electric driving range of around 40 miles, greatly reduced CO2 emissions and official fuel economy of 256.7mpg – compared with around 40mpg for either of the ‘self-charging’ hybrid models.

Partnership
Need to sell your car?
Find your best offer from over 5,000+ dealers. It’s that easy.

Both the RX 350h and 450h+ are available in Premium, Premium Plus and Takumi specifications, while the RX 500h is offered exclusively in F Sport trim – although every version is impressively equipped. Standard kit includes a 14-inch central touchscreen with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity, a wireless smartphone charging pad, heated front seats, electrically adjustable front seats, three-zone climate control and a suite of safety aides as part of the ‘Lexus Safety System +3’.

For an alternative review of the Lexus RX, visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk...

More on RX

Show me:
Used Lexus RX (Mk4, 2016-2022) review: a rare but desirable premium SUV
Used Lexus RX Mk4 - front static
Used car tests
4 Dec 2023

Used Lexus RX (Mk4, 2016-2022) review: a rare but desirable premium SUV

A full used buyers guide on the Lexus RX focusing on the RX Mk4 that was on sale between 2016 and 2022
New Lexus RX 500h 2023 review
Lexus RX 500h - front tracking
Road tests
27 Jul 2023

New Lexus RX 500h 2023 review

Lexus calls the RX 500h a performance SUV but this isn’t entirely accurate
Top 10 most reliable 4x4s and SUVs to buy 2023
Most reliable 4x4s and SUVs header
Best cars & vans
12 Jul 2023

Top 10 most reliable 4x4s and SUVs to buy 2023

We reveal the most reliable 4x4s and SUVs you can buy according to the 2023 Driver Power survey…
New Lexus RX 450h+ 2023 review
Lexus RX450+ - front tracking
Road tests
22 Feb 2023

New Lexus RX 450h+ 2023 review

Lexus's large SUV offers plenty of luxury and tech, but it's not as family-friendly as its size would suggest
New Lexus RX 350h 2022 review
Lexus RX 350h - front
Road tests
28 Oct 2022

New Lexus RX 350h 2022 review

Refinements strengthen the case for the hybrid Lexus RX 350h SUV
New 2022 Lexus RX SUV arrives with bold look to take on the BMW X5
Lexus RX - front
News
1 Jun 2022

New 2022 Lexus RX SUV arrives with bold look to take on the BMW X5

The large Lexus RX SUV comes with plug-in and conventional hybrid power, plus a totally revamped interior
New 2021 Lexus RX Premium Sport Edition launched
Lexus RX Premium Sport - front
News
9 Nov 2021

New 2021 Lexus RX Premium Sport Edition launched

Lexus’ new Premium Sport Edition trim-level makes a few changes to the RX’s styling and adds extra standard kit inside
Lexus RX review
Lexus RX driving
In-depth reviews
26 Apr 2021

Lexus RX review

The new Lexus RX is bigger, more powerful and more efficient than ever, and it looks the part too
Lexus RX vs Volvo XC90
Lexus RX vs Volvo XC90 - header
Car group tests
30 Dec 2019

Lexus RX vs Volvo XC90

Revamped versions of the Lexus RX and Volvo XC90 fight for honours in our seven-seat hybrid SUV test
Facelifted 2020 Lexus RX revealed
Facelifted Lexus RX - front tracking
News
29 Nov 2019

Facelifted 2020 Lexus RX revealed

From next year, the Japanese manufacturer will launch a new entry-level trim for the RX and a limited edition variant of the IS F Sport
New Lexus RX 450h F Sport 2019 review
Lexus 450h F Sport - front tracking
Road tests
15 Oct 2019

New Lexus RX 450h F Sport 2019 review

Can the updated Lexus RX 450h F Sport keep up in the ever competitive luxury SUV market? We drive it to find out...
Used Lexus RX review
Used Lexus RX - front
Used car tests
21 Jul 2019

Used Lexus RX review

A full used buyer’s guide on the Lexus RX covering the RX Mk3 (2008-2015)
Lexus RX L vs Volvo XC90
Lexus RX L vs Volvo XC90 - header
Car group tests
4 Oct 2018

Lexus RX L vs Volvo XC90

Hybrid Lexus and Volvo SUVs fit in with the latest trends. But is new seven-seat RX L a match for plug-in XC90?
Lexus RX450h L Premier 2018 review
Lexus RX 450h L - front
Road tests
8 Aug 2018

Lexus RX450h L Premier 2018 review

The Lexus RX L, the seven-seat version of the firm’s hybrid SUV, arrives in the UK…
New Lexus RX L 2018 review
Lexus RX L - front
Road tests
4 Jun 2018

New Lexus RX L 2018 review

The Lexus RX hybrid SUV gets seven seats in RX L form, but is it enough to put it on terms with the class best?
New Lexus RX 450h Sport shakes up RX range
Lexus RX 450h Sport
News
23 Nov 2017

New Lexus RX 450h Sport shakes up RX range

Lexus has added a sporty new mid-grade option to the RX line-up, though only for the range-topping V6 hybrid model
Mercedes GLE vs Lexus RX
Mercedes GLE vs Lexus RX - header
Car group tests
15 Jun 2016

Mercedes GLE vs Lexus RX

With a new name and a revised diesel engine, the Mercedes GLE takes the premium SUV fight to the hybrid Lexus RX
Lexus RX - £20k - £30k: Best cheap fuel efficient cars
Lexus RX - most reliable cars 2016
Best cars & vans
7 Mar 2016

Lexus RX - £20k - £30k: Best cheap fuel efficient cars

Lexus RX 200t 2016 review
Lexus RX 200t - front
Road tests
4 Mar 2016

Lexus RX 200t 2016 review

Petrol version of extrovert Lexus RX debuts on British roads, but is it a worthy rival for the Audi Q7 or BMW X5?
Lexus RX vs Porsche Cayenne vs Volvo XC90
Lexus RX vs Porsche Cayenne vs Volvo XC90 - night
Car group tests
29 Jan 2016

Lexus RX vs Porsche Cayenne vs Volvo XC90

Lexus’ new RX aims to show that a hybrid is the perfect match for an SUV. We test it against petrol-electric Porsche and diesel Volvo
Lexus RX 450h 2016 review
Lexus RX 450h - front
Road tests
8 Jan 2016

Lexus RX 450h 2016 review

The new Lexus RX 450h offers big improvements over its predecessor, but are they enough?
Lexus RX 2016: UK prices and specs announced
News
24 Sep 2015

Lexus RX 2016: UK prices and specs announced

Lexus confirms its new RX large SUV will kick off from £39,995 in 2.0-litre turbo form, and £46,995 for the hybrid
Lexus RX 450h
Best cars & vans
3 Aug 2015

Lexus RX 450h