2022 Lexus RX 450h
MSRP Range: $48,720 - $54,520 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
7.6/10
edmunds TESTED
Lexus has been in the hybrid-making business for quite some time, so it's no surprise it makes some of the best. The RX 450h's bold styling could be a polarizing point for buyers, but its combination of impressive attention to detail, interior appointments and practicality makes it an undoubtedly attractive proposition in the luxury SUV scene. Our only real reservation: It underperformed its EPA fuel economy estimates in our testing.
2022 Lexus RX 450h Review
byChristian Wardlaw
Correspondent
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.
Pros
- Impeccably crafted, attractively designed cabin
- Generous passenger room
- Supremely quiet interior
- Smooth power delivery
Cons
- Below-average cargo capacity
- Relatively slow acceleration
- Touchpad controller is distracting to use
- Subpar real-world fuel economy
What's new
- Foglights now a stand-alone option on all trims
- Limited-edition Black Line variant returns
- Part of the fourth RX generation introduced for 2016
Overview
Hybrid luxury SUVs seem to come and go, but the Lexus RX hybrid has been going strong for 15 years. Today's RX 450h is a descendant of the original RX 400h, the first luxury hybrid vehicle when it debuted for the 2006 model year. The 2022 Lexus RX 450h is more powerful, refined and efficient than that original, and it's popular enough with Lexus customers to have outlasted several competitors that have vanished from the market.
Given the RX hybrid's steadfast availability over the years, perhaps it comes as no surprise that few changes accompany the five-passenger midsize crossover SUV for the 2022 model year. Fresh exterior paint colors and a new interior hue make news, and foglights are now available as a stand-alone option for 2022. The limited-production RX 450h Black Line returns, but Lexus plans to build only 400.
If you like the idea of getting high fuel economy for a luxury SUV and want to learn more about the 2022 RX 450h, be sure to consult our test team's full Expert Rating below.
Edmunds Expert Rating
average
7.6/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Lexus has been in the hybrid-making business for quite some time, so it's no surprise it makes some of the best. The RX 450h's bold styling could be a polarizing point for buyers, but its combination of impressive attention to detail, interior appointments and practicality makes it an undoubtedly attractive proposition in the luxury SUV scene. Our only real reservation: It underperformed its EPA fuel economy estimates in our testing.
Rated for you by America's best test team.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
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2022 Lexus RX 450h pricing
in Ashburn, VAEdmunds suggests you pay
Which RX 450h does Edmunds recommend?
Unless you can't live without the sportier look and feel of the F Sport trim, we recommend the base RX 450h. It offers more variety in terms of wheel, paint and interior colors. Plus, you can upgrade this model with several option packages and individual extras to make it your own.
Lexus RX 450h models
The 2022 Lexus RX 450h is available in base, F Sport and Black Line Special Edition trims. All three have a 308-horsepower hybrid powertrain based on a 3.5-liter V6 engine, and all-wheel drive is standard. An extended-length version called the RX 450hL has three rows of seats and is reviewed separately.
Helpful shopping links
2022 Lexus RX 450h video
2020 Lexus RX First Look
NOTE: This video is about the 2020 Lexus RX 450h, but since the 2022 Lexus RX 450h is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
Halfway through its current life cycle, the Lexus RX is getting a mild refresh in the form of some styling, tech and equipment updates. The 2020 Lexus RX acquires new headlights, a new front and rear fascia, and the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment. The… standard RX 350 model all the way up to the Lexus RX 450h hybrid and its three-row variant, the RX 450hL, also receive suspension and chassis updates to improve ride quality and steering responsiveness. The optional 12.3-inch infotainment screen has also been moved closer to the driver and given touchscreen capability, a change that should make the system much easier to use.
Compare the Lexus RX 450h
Lexus RX 450h vs. Audi Q5
Yes, this is an apples to oranges comparison, but you'd be surprised how closely these two SUVs match up in terms of interior dimensions. The Lexus is best for drivers with long legs, but otherwise the Audi is nearly as accommodating. Also, the Audi is a plug-in hybrid, offering 23 miles of pure electric driving before reverting to gas-electric propulsion. However, when driven as a hybrid, the Q5's 26 mpg in combined driving can't match the RX's 30 mpg rating. The Audi costs more than the Lexus, too, though it's also more powerful.
Lexus RX 450h vs. Lincoln Corsair
Though it's a compact SUV, the Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring offers competitive interior room when compared to the Lexus RX 450h. It supplies more cargo volume behind its back seat too. While the Corsair's plug-in hybrid powertrain isn't as powerful as the RX 450h's gas-electric hybrid drivetrain, the Lincoln is more efficient after you've driven your 28 miles on pure electricity, averaging 33 mpg in combined driving compared to the Lexus's 30 mpg rating. The Corsair Grand Touring is a little more expensive than the base RX 450h, but it also comes with more standard equipment for the price.
Lexus RX 450h vs. Volvo XC60
Volvo has gone all in on electrification, and the XC60 Recharge is the company's five-passenger plug-in hybrid SUV. The Volvo can travel just 19 miles on nothing but electricity, but the Lexus can only putter around mall parking lots in its limited EV driving mode. Unfortunately for the Volvo, when driven as a hybrid, the XC60 Recharge musters no more than 25 mpg in combined driving, 5 mpg less than the Lexus. The Volvo is also significantly more expensive, but it carries more cargo behind the back seat.
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FAQ
Is the Lexus RX 450h a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2022 RX 450h both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.6 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2022 RX 450h gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 29 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the RX 450h has 16.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Lexus RX 450h. Learn more
What's new in the 2022 Lexus RX 450h?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Lexus RX 450h:
- Foglights now a stand-alone option on all trims
- Limited-edition Black Line variant returns
- Part of the fourth RX generation introduced for 2016
Is the Lexus RX 450h reliable?
To determine whether the Lexus RX 450h is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the RX 450h. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the RX 450h's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2022 Lexus RX 450h a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2022 Lexus RX 450h is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2022 RX 450h and gave it a 7.6 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2022 RX 450h gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 29 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2022 RX 450h is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2022 Lexus RX 450h?
The least-expensive 2022 Lexus RX 450h is the 2022 Lexus RX 450h 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $48,720.
Other versions include:
- 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $48,720
- F SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $52,200
- F SPORT Handling 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $54,520
What are the different models of Lexus RX 450h?
If you're interested in the Lexus RX 450h, the next question is, which RX 450h model is right for you? RX 450h variants include 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), F SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), and F SPORT Handling 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). For a full list of RX 450h models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more