NOTE: Pricing based on data collected April 2011. Costs of hybridization and forced features are UCS estimates based on information available on manufacturer websites.
See full Hybrid Scorecard methodology
Vehicle Summary
Lexus introduced the RX 450h in model year 2010, replacing its first hybrid SUV, the RX 400h. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) version of this midsize SUV seats five people and gets a combined EPA estimated fuel economy of 29 miles per gallon (mpg)—1 mpg lower than the front-wheel-drive (FWD) version. Much like the 2011 Prius, Toyota (Lexus’s parent company) boosted both the power and fuel economy of the RX 450h AWD compared with its predecessor. The RX 450h AWD utilizes a more efficient Atkinson combustion cycle in its gasoline engine, which, combined with a hybrid drivetrain, gives it significant global warming emissions reductions. The RX 450h AWD is a full hybrid, offering electric-only operation under certain conditions, idle stop/start, power assist, and regenerative braking.
Environmental Improvement Score
With a 31 percent reduction in global warming emissions compared with the conventional RX 350 AWD, the RX 450h AWD achieves a greater reduction in global warming emissions reduction than any other midsize hybrid SUV. Indeed, the RX 450h AWD’s reduction in global warming emissions compares favorably to the Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD, a compact SUV, at 24 percent. It is interesting to note that the RX 450h Hybrid AWD’s fuel economy only dropped 1 mpg over its FWD counterpart (from 30 mpg to 29 mpg), while the Escape Hybrid’s dropped 3 mpg (from 32 mpg in the 2WD version to 29 mpg in the 4WD version). The smog-forming emissions performance of the RX 450h AWD is very good, earning it an EPA air pollution score of 8. These two factors give the RX 450h AWD an Environmental Improvement Score of 6.9. Even in its AWD version, the overall score of the RX 450h is far higher than competing hybrid SUVs on the market such as the Volkswagen Touareg (3.0) and BMW ActiveHybrid X6 (3.6).
Scorecard Environmental Improvement Score methodology
Hybrid Value
Lexus is charging $5,500 for the hybrid system in the RX 450h AWD. With a solid 31 percent reduction in global warming emissions, this puts the RX 450h AWD in the “Good” range for Hybrid Value. To get full value out of the hybrid drivetrain, Toyota may want to consider offering its Hybrid Synergy Drive with a four-cylinder engine, much like it has with the HS 250h and CT 200h. Given Toyota makes its conventional Highlander SUV (a larger vehicle than these others) available with a four-cylinder engine, and Lincoln has proven sales success with a four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain (for its MKZ Hybrid), this option could be a “win-win-win” for Toyota, the consumer, and the environment. Even as it stands, however, the RX450h AWD far outpaces its fellow “muscle” hybrids, the Volkswagen Touareg, the Chevy Tahoe, and the BMW ActiveHybrid X6—all of which merit a Hybrid Value score of “Poor” or lower.
Scorecard Hybrid Value methodology
Forced Features
By design, the Lexus brand offers premium features even on its base models. The RX 450h AWD comes with a lot of the features a consumer would expect from Lexus, but Lexus adds only $250 worth of features unavailable on the base model of the conventional RX 350 FWD. This gives the RX 450h AWD a Forced Features rating of “$.” The only forced features on the RX 450h AWD are Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management with cutoff switch. The absence of forced features is particularly noteworthy when compared with other hybrid SUVs like the Volkswagen Touareg, BMW ActiveHybrid X6, and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, all of which manage to pile thousands in Forced Features on their hybrid models.
Scorecard Forced Features methodology
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Additional Info
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