The hybrid car market is experiencing a steady increase in demand in the U.S., especially in comparison to the EV segment. With the Clean Vehicle tax credit gone, manufacturers are predicting a drastic decline in demand, prompting them to focus on their gasoline-electric hybrid models. On the premium front, Lexus already has the market cornered thanks to Toyota’s more than 30 years of experience and development.
Lexus stands out in the premium segment because it leverages Toyota’s drivetrain technology. This means that you don’t get the benefit of the best performance, but the models stand out when it comes to efficiency and reliability. The Lexus RX 350h is a prime example of how you can merge luxury with dependability, which is why it is the brand’s most popular model.
The Lexus RX is a midsize premium SUV that has been a part of the brand’s portfolio for well over two decades, and has resultantly earned itself a solid reputation for offering its owners the best balance of opulence and frugality without compromising on quality. The new-generation model is no exception to this, and makes for a perfect option for you to consider if you value a product that ticks all the boxes at a relatively competitive price. It’s also a great option if you rate value retention highly, as the RX has consistently benefited from good resale rates, primarily thanks to its reliable reputation. Esteemed publications recognize this, which is why it benefits from such high reliability ratings, resulting in you barely ever needing to conduct repairs throughout your ownership experience.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Lexus and other authoritative sources.
The Lexus RX Hybrid Requires Minimal Maintenance
Toyota’s HEV System Is Built To Last
According to the Edmunds True Cost To Own tool, we see that you can expect to spend $63,119 on the Lexus RX SUV over the course of five years and 60,000 miles. This includes $22,120 on depreciation, $9,377 on maintenance, and $1,127 on repairs.
According to CarEdge, the Lexus RX Hybrid will cost you $57,867 over five years and 60,000 miles. This includes $25,704 on depreciation, $12,910 on insurance, $6,415 on fuel, $10,246 on financing, and $2,592 on maintenance.
The Lexus RX 350h achieves impressive ratings across all of its testing thanks to its well-balanced design. J.D. Power issues the model with an 85/100 overall score, which consists of 85/100 for quality and reliability, 82/100 for the driving experience, 84/100 for resale, and 87/100 for the dealership experience. iSeeCars backs this with an 8.3/10 overall score, including 8.6/10 for reliability, 8.2/10 for retained value, and 8.0/10 for safety.
The publication also indicates that you can expect the RX 350h to last you 14.7 years or 170,975 miles before you encounter any noteworthy mechanical issues, with a 31.7-percent probability of reaching 200,000 miles. iSeeCars also highlights that the RX 350h will lose $22,409 or 43.8 percent of its value after five years or 60,000 miles, which is more than 10 percent better than what its main rivals struggle with.
Efficiency And Range Estimates Add Appeal
While Not Frugal, It Balances Performance And Consumption Well
The Lexus RX 350h doesn’t benefit from the best EPA-estimated figures, with the agency indicating that it will consume 37/34/36 on the city/highway/combined cycle and cover 619 miles on a single tank of gas. You won’t benefit from any fuel cost savings over five years, as you’ll spend $1,700 on gas every year and $2.81 to drive 25 miles.
The RX 500h will consume 27/28/27 MPG and cover 465 miles on a single tank. You’ll find yourself spending $2,750 more on gasoline every five years compared to the average car, $2,250 on gas every year, and $3.75 to drive 25 miles. Both models feature a 17.2-gallon tank, which costs about $70 to fill.
Two Drivetrain Options Catering To Varying Needs
Lexus Offers Its RX Hybrid With A Basic And Sporty Option
The RX 350h Hybrid features the Toyota Group’s naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and three permanent-magnet motors. This sends a combined 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet to all four wheels using a direct-drive eCVT. You can expect this model to cover a zero to 60 MPH acceleration sprint in 7.4 seconds before hitting a 124 MPH limited top speed.
The 500h F-Sport Performance adds the turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and one electric motor. A six-speed automatic transmission sends a combined 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet to all four wheels, which gets you from zero to 60 MPH in 5.9 seconds with a 130 MPH top speed limit. Both models will tow up to 3,500 pounds.
$52,025 Gets You In The Driver’s Seat
The Hybrid RX Is Fully Kitted Across The Range
Pricing for the Lexus RX 350h range starts at $52,025 (excluding delivery fees) for the base model, which includes ambient interior lighting, multi-zone climate control, NuLuxe leather upholstery, eight-way electrically adjustable front seats with heating, and Black Cascade interior trimmings. Additional features include a 12.3-inch digital information display, a 9.8-inch central infotainment system, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Lexus premium sound system.
On the exterior front, you get bi-LED headlights and LED taillights, heated door mirrors with auto tilt-down reverse and an auto-dimmer for the driver’s side, 19-inch Dark Gray Metallic alloy wheels, and a power tailgate. Upgrading to the Premium derivative increases the starting price to $54,200 before delivery, and adds features including heated wood and leather-upholstered multifunction steering wheel, front seat ventilation, memory functions for the driver’s seat, black open-pore wood and Ash Bamboo interior trimmings, an electronically operated sunroof, and a wireless smartphone charger.
An Abundance Of Optional Packages For Customizability
If you’re looking to make your RX Hybrid ownership experience a bit more comprehensive, there are three specific packages that you can add. The first is the $1,670 Convenience Package, which adds a panoramic view monitor, traffic jam assist, and advanced park.
The Technology Package costs $350 on the base, $1,375 on the Premium+, and $475 on the rest of the range. This adds a wireless charger to the base model, a smartphone-powered digital key to all models, a 10-inch head-up display to the Premium+, and a digital rearview mirror to all models. The final package is the Kick Sensor With Tow Package for $870. This adds a power rear door with a kick sensor and a tow hitch receiver.
The Premium+ And Luxury Set High Standards
For $57,690, you can opt for the Premium+ trim, which adds thematic ambient illumination, a smog-sensing automatic recirculator for the climate control, perforated leather upholstery, 20-inch alloy wheels, a larger 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and the option to specify the panoramic sunroof.
The Luxury is the flagship trim of the range, with a $62,745 MSRP. For this, you get the panoramic sunroof as standard, a premium metallic finish for the 20-inch wheels, triple-beam LED headlights with cornering lamps, and a head-up display. The $56,530 F-Sport Design mimics the Premium trim, but with some specifically sporty interior and exterior trimmings.
The 500h F Sport Rivals Modern Sports Cars
For $65,400, you can get the top-of-the-range 500h F-Sport Performance, which includes all the Luxury’s features and F-Sport’s exterior trimmings, together with a substantial bump in power and suspension upgrades. Lexus charges a flat $1,450 delivery fee for all variants of the RX hybrid.
Source: J.D. Power, iSeeCars, Edmunds, CarEdge, and the EPA