2022 Lexus RX 450hL Review

Combining fuel efficiency with seven-passenger seating is a tall order for a luxury SUV, but the 2022 Lexus RX 450hL mostly pulls it off. A V6 engine paired with dual electric motors helps this RX hybrid return 29 mpg combined, well above average for its type, while three rows of seats offer flexibility for ferrying a small family or friends out for the night.

The RX 450hL may sound like something from a lab manual, but it's really just the elongated hybrid version of Lexus' best-selling RX 350. Docile handling and a cushy ride make the 450hL more of a cruiser than its twitchier RX F Sport counterpart, a feeling enhanced by its hushed interior and soft leather. Unfortunately, that serenity doesn't extend to the cramped third row, which is useful in a pinch for adults but best suited to small kids. And with just 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, there's not even abundant cargo space to justify the tight quarters. By comparison, the rival Lincoln Aviator offers 18 cubic feet. Lexus also persists with its clumsy touchpad infotainment interface (perhaps for not much longer, as newer Lexus models suggest), but touchscreen control has thankfully been added for both the standard 8-inch display and the optional 12.3-inch screen.

Despite its flaws, it's hard to find the 450hL's mix of luxury, fuel economy and passenger capacity elsewhere. The Lincoln Aviator and Volvo XC90 are roomier plug-in hybrid SUVs, but they also cost considerably more. For its price and performance, the RX 450hL hits a sweet spot.

The Lexus RX 450hL is a three-row luxury hybrid SUV that seats up to seven passengers. It uses a 3.5-liter V6 paired with a hybrid powertrain (308 horsepower, 247 lb-ft of torque) and comes with standard all-wheel drive.