The Lexus RX Was Hybrid Before Hybrid Was the Obvious Choice
Both reviews frame this car's history the same way: a genuine pioneer that bet on hybrid technology years before most rivals took the idea seriously, and is now on its fourth hybrid generation as a result.
Ahead of Its Time, and It Paid Off
Launching new technology before buyers are ready for it usually ends badly. Reviewers keep crediting this model with getting that timing right, turning an early hybrid gamble into one of the best-selling luxury SUVs in America.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Mid-size luxury SUV |
|---|---|
| Engines | RX 350 petrol, RX 350h hybrid, RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid, RX 500h performance hybrid |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic (350) or CVT (hybrid versions) |
| 0–60mph (500h) | 6.0 sec |
| Boot space | 29.6 cubic feet |
| Key rivals | BMW X5, Range Rover Sport, Volvo XC90, Mercedes GLE |
Full Review Summary
What Car?
What Car? rated the cabin as genuinely luxurious with comfortable seats and a wide range of adjustment, praising a commanding view out helped by well-positioned windscreen pillars. They found interior finish robust and upmarket, though noted it's outclassed by the softer, more expensive-feeling leathers in a BMW X5 or Range Rover Sport, and flagged the standard digital driver's display as easy to read but visually basic with no layout options. Five-seat-only configuration was noted as a genuine practical limitation against seven-seat rivals like the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90.
Edmunds
Edmunds' test track results found the entry RX 350's 7.8-second 0-60mph time notably slow for the class, well behind a comparable BMW X5 or Mercedes GLE in the low 5-second range, though rated the performance-focused RX 500h hybrid as meaningfully quicker at 6.0 seconds while remaining smooth and easy to drive around town. They praised ride quality as striking an excellent balance between comfort and connection to the road, with strong all-round visibility, though found boot space trailing rivals like the Mercedes GLE at both seats-up and seats-down capacity.
Strengths
- Well-judged ride quality balancing comfort and control
- Strong hybrid efficiency across the range
- Comfortable, well-adjustable driving position
- Strong reputation for reliability and resale value
Weak points
- Base engine feels genuinely slow relative to key rivals
- Interior materials trail the BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport at the top end
- No seven-seat option, unlike the Audi Q7 or Volvo XC90
- Boot space trails class leaders
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who prioritise genuine hybrid efficiency, comfort and long-term reliability over outright performance or seven-seat practicality. The RX 500h is worth considering specifically if you want noticeably more pace without sacrificing the hybrid range's everyday smoothness.