Automotive crossovers have remained the biggest and most lucrative market for luxury automakers in the United States ever since Lexus debuted the RX 300 in 1998. Featuring a 3.0-liter V6 engine, leather seats, and winter weather upgrades–which were features only offered in premium sedans and sports cars at that time–the RX 300 “became a revelation to upper middle class parents who were all too aware of what driving a minivan did to their image (and self-respect) but were unsure what to do about it,” according to bloomberg.com. Due to Lexus’ crossover success, automotive brands such as Porsche, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz began to enter the market and have since created well-respected and financially successful crossover models. For the 2015 model year, Lexus unveiled the all-new RX 450h, one of three current RX variants in the RX family.
With a relatively affordable luxury price of $47,620 (an AWD drive version costs an additional $2,000), the RX 450h is part of the third generation of RX SUVs and the best-selling hybrid that Lexus makes. As a full hybrid, the RX 450h has the ability to run on electric-only, gas-only, or combined electric and gas modes and features four drive modes: EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport. The 4,500-pound RX 450h also features a 295-horsepower engine that gets a combined mileage of 30 miles per gallon. But all the vehicle’s efficiency comes at a cost in the area of performance–the RX 450h is slow, taking nearly eight seconds to go from zero to 60 miles an hour, and soft in the braking, steering, turning radius, and acceleration departments. As bloomberg.com’s review states, “It’s nice, not nimble. Like Mom or Dad jeans, it’s stable, not sexy.” Efficient and reliable, the Lexus RX 450h features air bags, active head rests, adaptive braking, spacious back seat and rear storage, a 100,000 mile warranty, and pretty much anything else a mom or dad would need. A $1,100 “Sport Appearance” package is available for 2015, but it only adds a few aesthetic upgrades. All things considered, the Lexus RX 450h is a great car that isn’t going to blow your mind, but will always remain reliable with an added hint of luxury.
For more information on the 2015 Lexus RX 450h hybrid, visit lexus.com and make sure to check out a video review of the luxury crossover by automotive critic Steve Hammes below, courtesy of TestDriveNow.com’s YouTube channel.
Video by TestDriveNow.com/YouTube.com
Photo by lexus.com
