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 front-wheel-drive (FWD) version of this midsize SUV seats five people and gets a combined EPA estimated fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon (mpg), the first midsize SUV to reach that mark. The RX 450h FWD 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 FWD is a full hybrid, offering electric-only operation under certain conditions, idle stop/start, power assist, and regenerative braking.
Environmental Improvement Score
With a 30 percent reduction in global warming emissions compared with the conventional RX 350 FWD, the RX 450h FWD achieves a greater reduction in global warming emissions reduction than any other midsize hybrid SUV. Indeed, the RX 450h FWD’s 30 percent reduction in global warming emissions compares favorably to the Ford Escape Hybrid FWD (a compact SUV), which reduces emissions 28 percent. While the Escape Hybrid FWD gets a slight edge in fuel economy (32 mpg), at 30 mpg the RX 450h FWD does better than its midsize SUV cousin, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which gets 28 mpg. The smog-forming emissions performance of the RX 450h FWD is very good, earning it an EPA air pollution score of 8. These two factors give the RX 450h FWD an Environmental Improvement Score of 6.8. While slightly lower than the Ford Escape Hybrid FWD’s score of 7, it 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 $5,010 for the hybrid system in the RX 450h FWD, an increase from the $4,610 they charged for the 2010 model. With a solid 30 percent reduction in global warming emissions, this puts the RX 450h FWD near the top of 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 more efficient 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 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 FWD comes with a lot of the features a consumer would expect from Lexus, but Lexus adds only $250 worth of features unavailable on the base model of the conventional RX 350 FWD. This gives the RX 450h FWD a Forced Features rating of “$.” The only forced features on the RX 450h FWD 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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