The Lexus RX is a mainstay among luxury SUVs with its refined handling, cushy ride, and upscale cabin. The RX 350h is the hybrid version, and like its gas-powered sibling, it’s all about comfort with the bonus of excellent fuel economy.
Base Price: $55,705
As Tested: $60,230
Horsepower: 246
Mileage: 37 mpg city/34 mpg highway/36 mpg combined
The Lexus RX debuted way back in 1998 and was the first luxury crossover. It’s been a best seller for Lexus ever since, and is now available in gas-powered, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.
The RX Hybrid was redesigned for the 2023 model year. The plug-in hybrid RX 450h+ joined the line-up for 2024. For 2025, the F Sport Design trim is added to the hybrid line-up, and the RX 500h is available with a Black Line Special Edition package.
The 2026 RX Hybrid comes in six trims: RX 350h, RX 350h Premium, RX 350h Premium+, RX 350h Luxury, RX 350h F Sport Design and RX 500h F Sport Performance. Starting prices range from $51,425 to $64,800. All-wheel drive is standard on all trims. There’s room for five passengers in two rows of seating.
Under the hood, the RX 350h has a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors. Total output is 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque. The RX 500h gets a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors with a more robust output of 366 horses and 406 pound-feet. Power is delivered through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT) to a standard all-wheel-drive system.
The RX Hybrid drives like, well, a Lexus. It’s all about cushy comfort instead of thrilling performance. Acceleration is satiny smooth and there’s plenty of power for merging and passing at highway speeds. The transition between electric and gas power is seamless, although you will hear some engine noise if you floor the accelerator. There is some body roll when cornering aggressively. While the RX350h doesn’t have the performance chops of its German rivals, it shines at providing a composed ride and will get you there in comfort and style.
Fuel economy is where the RX Hybrid excels. EPA ratings for the RX 350h are 37 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 36 mpg combined. I got 35 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model gets 27 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined.
The cabin is upscale with premium materials, as you’d expect in a Lexus, and thoughtfully designed. The standard upholstery is NuLuxe synthetic leather, while upper trims get semi-aniline leather and open-pore wood accents. Front seats are spacious and supportive, and the F Sport Performance seats have thicker bolsters to keep you tucked in when cornering. Front passengers have good leg and headroom, but both aren’t as generous in the second row compared to most rivals. However, the second row seats recline which is nice for passengers on longer road trips.
Standard features include remote start, keyless entry, push-button start, rearview camera, tri-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, infotainment system with 9.8-inch touchscreen, 12-speaker audio system, HD Radio, satellite radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, six USB ports (four front, two rear), the “Hey Lexus” virtual assistant, Wi-Fi hot spot, ambient lighting and automatic high-beam headlights.
Available features include a digital key, surround-view camera system, head-up display, rear-camera mirror, real and semi-aniline leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated rear seats, infotainment system with 14-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system, wireless device charging, moonroof, and a panoramic moonroof.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, intersection assist (uses sensors to help prevent crashes at intersections), traffic-sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, safe exit assist (prevents the vehicle doors from opening if another vehicle is approaching from behind), and park assist.
Available driver assistance technologies include front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, traffic-jam assist (controls braking, acceleration and steering at slow speeds), park assist, and hands-free parallel and perpendicular park assist.
The RX Hybrid gets the Lexus Interface System with either the standard 9.8-inch touchscreen or the available 14-inch screen. The high-def screen looks great with sharp, modern graphics. There’s a small learning curve but the system is generally easy to use. Say “Hey Lexus” for voice commands. However, there are few physical controls which can be frustrating when trying to make quick audio or climate adjustments. Cloud-based navigation and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard.
The RX Hybrid has less cargo space than many other luxury crossovers. There are 29.6 cubes with both rows of seating in place and 46.2 cubes with the second row folded. A power liftgate is standard and a hands-free power liftgate is available.
The good:
Smooth, cushy ride
Excellent fuel economy
Upscale, comfortable cabin
Many standard and available features and tech
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Not as athletic as most competitors
Less cargo space than many rivals
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $55,705. The Convenience Package is $1,420 and adds a panoramic view monitor and traffic jam assist. The Lexus Interface with 14-inch touchscreen is $1,105 and includes Drive Connect with cloud navigation, intelligent assistant and destination assist. The power rear door with kick sensor is $150. Premium paint is $500. The delivery fee is $1,350, bringing the grand total to $60,230.
Bottom line:
The RX has been the best seller for Lexus for years, and whether you get the gas-powered, hybrid or plug-in hybrid version, the RX delivers on comfort, reliability and modern niceties. The RX Hybrid adds excellent fuel economy to that list and is worth consideration from anyone wanting a comfortable and reliable luxury crossover.
