Grand Styling in a Premium Plug-in Hybrid SUV
Lexus offers a hybrid in the RX 350, 450 or 500, with each being distinctly different in size, performance and price. Clean Fleet Report recently spent a week in the 2025 RX 450h+ Luxury AWD plug-in hybrid, which lived up to the Lexus premium reputation while delivering impressive hybrid fuel economy.
Power and Efficiency
The 2025 RX 450h+ Luxury AWD is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV. Powered by a 2.5-liter non-turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors (front and rear), the total system puts out 304 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque. Running on 91 octane, the fuel economy is rated at 35 mpg on gasoline alone in city and highway tests with 37 all-electric miles when fully charged. The combined rating is 83 MPGe. MPGe is a measurement of how efficient a car powered by electricity is, using the same amount of energy as is contained in one gallon of gasoline.
The Lexus hybrid system is among the best we have tested with smooth and seamless transitions between gasoline-only, electric only or gasoline and electric operations. Consistently, this system provided ample power and delivered fuel economy over our 255 miles of 36.2 miles per gallon. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience using the dash gauge computer. Your numbers may differ.
Power is sent to all four wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with 0-60 mph runs at about 6.2 seconds. A CVT is not the usual choice for performance, but Lexus has designed its CVT to be ideal for everyday driving, including easily scooting the RX 450h+ into freeway traffic without any hesitation. One note is that under hard acceleration from a stop, the 4-cylinder works hard and produces a low, coarse roar. Since pedal-to-the-metal isn’t how most people drive, this is a minor issue as it wasn’t obnoxious or abrasive.
Driving itself smoothly
Handling
Lexus has designed a good handling SUV that is also comfortable on the highway. The MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension handled flat with little body roll or shifting for the 4,810-pound vehicle.
The electronic power steering had good road feel for the 235/50 all-season tires, on beefy 10-spoke, 21-inch alloy wheels, for good cornering grip while also being quiet on the road. Slowing and stopping was even and solid.
Exterior Refinement
The fifth generation RX 450h+ design was all-new in 2023, when it went through subtle but important changes that continue on to the 2025 model. It weighs 198 pounds less than the previous generation from using more aluminum and high-strength steel for safety and rigidity.
The Lexus spindle grille has evolved to be smaller and less pointy, blending naturally into the nose and hood. Lexus says the vents on the lower front fascia regulate the airflow around the tires, providing excellent straight line stability.
Redesigned Interior
The longer wheelbase and wider body allow for a larger interior, resulting in more rear leg room and cargo space.
The dash is simple with all controls within easy reach, including those for the 14-inch color multimedia touchscreen, home for navigation and the back-up camera, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and AM/FM/HD and the excellent sounding Mark Levinson surround sound audio system with 1,800 watts and 21 speakers. Connectivity includes Bluetooth streaming audio, hands-free telephone and messaging. Voice commands are made by using the steering wheel-mounted button and clearly saying “Hey Lexus.”
In addition to the voice command, other technology and convenience features include a head-up display, wireless phone charging, six USB outlets, an A/C power outlet, power rear seats that fold and spilt 40:40:20, front and rear heated seats, panoramic glass roof, power rear lift gate with a kick sensor, and ambient lightning that offers a palette of colors and themes to sooth the cabin passengers.
A swipe of the foot
The interior, in the Luxury trim, features seats covered in semi-aniline leather with a combination of wood, brushed aluminum, soft materials, accent top stitching, a digital clock and Lexus monogram carpets, giving the RX 450h+ cabin a very upscale look and feel.
Safety
The RX is equipped with a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) with the centerpiece being the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 that includes a pre-collision system, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control with lane tracing assist and several other warning features. Additional active and passive safety features are air bags, a tire pressure monitoring system, collapsible steering column, anti-theft alarm and engine immobilizer.
Pricing
The 2025 RX 450h+ Luxury AWD plug-in hybrid has a base price of $73,960 that includes the $1,250 delivery, processing and handling fee. The Convenience, Technology, Cold Area and Kick Sensor with Tow Packages are extra, as are individual accessories.
Observations: 2025 Lexus RX 450h+ Luxury AWD Plug-In Hybrid
Lexus knows a good thing when they see one, especially with the RX at about 55-percent of all the brand’s SUV sales. They also know more than half of RX owners return to buy another Lexus. To keep these loyal customers, there was no way the company was going to take too big a swing when the RX was redone in 2023.
The plan meant there was no RX 450 for 2023 as Lexus took a gap year before introducing the 450h+ AWD in 2024. Now in 2025 there are hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions that deliver performance and fuel economy in a premium five-seat SUV.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Lexus.
Power seat drop
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Disclosure
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and other efficient powertrains. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@ cleanfleetreport.com.
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