Here’s What We Think of the Lexus RX’s Many Hybrid Offerings

Chevron Down Icon

2026 Lexus RX 350h F Sport

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2026 Lexus RX 350h F Sport

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2026 Lexus RX 350h F Sport

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2026 Lexus RX 350h F Sport

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Images View Photos

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

MSRP

HIGHS

Passenger-pampering ride, calming cabin atmosphere, PHEV now a lot more affordable.

LOWS

Looks sporty but isn't, 350h powertrain is forgettable, PHEV is the priciest but not the quickest.

VERDICT

The Lexus RX Hybrid prioritizes comfort, efficiency, and style but skips the fun stuff.

Leaf icon

EPA MPGe

27–36 Combined

Seat icon

Seating

5 Seats

Engine icon

Powertrain

Hybrid

Drivetrain icon

Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Check icon

Limited Warranty

4 Years/50,000 Miles

By Eric Stafford

Overview

Some people prefer a calm, comforting driving experience over an exciting one. People who feel that way will appreciate the Lexus RX Hybrid, which puts those traits and a stylish appearance at the top of the list. Lexus's compact luxury SUV also features a trio of fuel-sipping powertrains that help stretch a gallon of gas, especially the plug-in hybrid model, which is now more affordable.

No matter what RX you choose, a cushy ride and serene cabin are primary ingredients. There are only two rows of seats, and those sitting up front have easy access to a user-friendly infotainment system. While the gas-electric RX feels more subdued than, say, the BMW X3 or the Porsche Macan, it can look the part with the brand's available F Sport treatments.

Expert Tip: If you want the same sleek styling and similarly luxurious interior for a lower price, check out the nonhybrid Lexus RX, which starts at $51,175 and features a 275-hp turbo four.

Video poster

What's New for 2026?

For 2026, the RX Hybrid lineup doesn't receive any significant aesthetic or mechanical changes, though there are some noteworthy updates. The plug-in hybrid is still the most expensive variant, but a new Premium trim notably lowers the cost of entry; its $66,680 starting price is almost $6K less than last year. For those who opt for the F Sport Handling or F Sport Performance treatments, they're now compatible with the Appearance package (black 21-inch wheels, black exterior add-ons, orange brake calipers). Finally, you no longer must pay extra for wireless phone charging, as it's now standard across the lineup.

C/D Expert Tip:

If this year's model is largely unchanged and you're comfortable with a lightly used car, you may want to consider shopping previous model years. A one-to-three-year-old model will likely have a warranty and it'll cost less than buying new.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Hybrid Powertrains: 2.4-liter four-cylinder and three electric motors, 246 hp combined; turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors, 366 hp combined; 2.5-liter four-cylinder and three electric motors, 304 hp combined
Transmission: continuously variable automatic transmission
Drivetrain: all-wheel drive

The regular RX350h's powertrain is the most relaxed in our experience, and it delivers the slowest acceleration of all the hybrid models. Stepping up to the RX500h F Sport Performance unlocks a punchier powertrain, but while Lexus had an opportunity to recast the current-generation RX as a performer with the RX500h model, its chassis engineers regrettably chose not to dial in any additional cornering confidence. All models we've driven so far are just as softly sprung and focused on luxury as the previous-generation RX. That will please faithful buyers but is unlikely to attract driving enthusiasts. A plug-in hybrid model, the RX450h+, features the same powertrain that's offered in the Lexus NX450h+ subcompact SUV, but it makes two extra horsepower in this application, bringing the total to 304 ponies.

What's Your Car Worth?

Car and Driver calculates your car's value in three free and easy steps - using the same Black Book® data dealers use to appraise vehicles.

0–60-MPH Times

C/D 60-mph Test: 5.5 seconds (RX500h F Sport), 6.0 seconds (RX450h+ Luxury), 7.3 seconds (RX350h)

In Comparison: If you're looking for a compact luxury SUV with a hybrid powertrain that's quicker in a straight line, check out the Volvo XC60 T8 PHEV, which raced to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

Towing Capacity

Max Towing: 3500 pounds

The Lexus RX Hybrid's max tow rating applies to all powertrains, and that figure is competitive with the rest of its classmates.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

C/D Range Test: 30 miles
EPA EV Range: 37 miles

The RX450h+ plug-in hybrid comes with an 18-kWh battery pack and a 6.6-kWh onboard AC charger. Lexus says it can be recharged in about two and a half hours on a 240-volt connection, and a full battery is said to offer up to 37 miles of electric-only driving, per the EPA. In our testing, the RX450h+ managed 30 miles of highway driving before the battery was depleted.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test: 32 mpg (RX350h), 28 mpg (RX500h), 30 mpg (RX450h+)
EPA City Ratings: 27–37 mpg
EPA Highway Ratings: 28–38 mpg

The EPA's data shows that the most efficient RX model is the RX350h, which carries ratings of 37 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. The RX500h has estimates of 27 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, while the plug-in RX450h+ model is rated at 36 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, the RX350h returned 32 mpg, a bit below its EPA estimate, and the RX500h F Sport Performance returned 28 mpg, matching its EPA estimate. The RX450h+ managed 30 mpg and 64 MPGe in our real-world test. For more information about the RX's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

In Comparison: The RX PHEV's real-world highway result is identical or very close to plug-in versions of the XC60 (30 mpg) and the Lincoln Corsair (31 mpg).

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

First Row: The RX Hybrid's interior design is modern and attractive, with textured fabric sections on the upper door panels, rich-looking ambient lighting, and open-pore wood trim on RX350h models. The RX500h F Sport Performance features more heavily bolstered front seats, black interior trim, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and aluminum pedals.

Second Row: All RX Hybrids are two-row, five-seat affairs, with plentiful passenger space in both the front and rear seats. If you need a third row, consider the larger TX Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity: The cargo area is generously sized, too, and we managed to squeeze 11 carry-on suitcases behind the second row. The rear seats fold flat, and with them stowed, the RX offered space for 25 carry-ons in our testing.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Infotainment: 9.8-inch touchscreen (standard), 14.0-inch touchscreen (optional)
Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available Wi-Fi hotspot
Audio System: 12-speaker stereo (standard), 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system (optional)

As in the smaller NX SUV, the RX's infotainment display is angled slightly toward the driver and uses Lexus's latest software interface. Wireless phone charging is standard, but features such as navigation, a head-up display, and a Mark Levinson stereo system are optional.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Lexus offers many standard driver-assistance features on its new cars and SUVs, and the RX Hybrid is no different.

Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with lane centering

For information about the RX Hybrid's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Lexus's limited warranty matches most of its rivals in this segment. Its powertrain warranty surpasses many, and its hybrid components get longer coverage. However, complimentary scheduled maintenance lasts only one year, whereas the BMW X3 and the Volvo XC60 both offer lengthier terms.

Limited Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty: six years or 70,000 miles
Complimentary Maintenance: one year or 10,00 miles

C/D Test Results and Specs

Each year, we put hundreds of vehicles through our rigorous instrumented testing regimen. If the data in the chart below is for a different model year, that's because this vehicle hasn't changed from when we last tested it, and the test results remain accurate.

Specs panel icon

Specifications

Specifications

2026 Lexus RX350h F Sport Design
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $59,580/$64,600

POWERTRAIN
DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4, 185 hp, 178 lb-ft + 3 AC motors; front: 134 hp, 270 lb-ft; rear: 40 hp, 121 lb-ft (combined output: 246 hp, 233 lb-ft; nickel-metal hydride battery pack)
Transmissions, F/R: continuously variable automatic/direct-drive

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.4-in vented disc/13.4-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S
235/50R-21 101V M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 192.5 in
Width: 75.6 in
Height: 67.3 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 53/47 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 46/30 ft3
Curb Weight: 4437 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.3 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.7 sec @ 88 mph
100 mph: 21.0 sec
120 mph: 37.6 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.3 sec
Top Speed (mfr claim): 124 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 195 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.78 g

Interior Sound
Idle: 33 dBA/2 sone
Full Throttle: 75 dBA
70-mph Cruising: 71 dBA/27 sone

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 30 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 32 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 560 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 36/37/34 mpg

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

2024 Lexus RX450h+ Luxury AWD
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $70,580/$77,005

POWERTRAIN
DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4, 180 hp, 168 lb-ft + 3 AC motors, front: 179 hp, 199 lb-ft; rear: 53 hp, 89 lb-ft (combined output: 304 hp; 18.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; 6.6-kW onboard charger)
Transmission: continuously variable automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.4-in vented disc/13.4-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S
235/50R-21 101V M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 192.5 in
Width: 75.6 in
Height: 67.3 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 52/45 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 46/30 ft3
Curb Weight: 4866 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.6 sec @ 95 mph
100 mph: 16.3 sec
120 mph: 29.1 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.3 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.9 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Speed (mfr's claim): 124 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 178 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.83 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND RANGE
Observed: 27 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving, EV/Hybrid Mode: 64 MPGe/30 mpg
75-mph Highway Range, EV/Hybrid mode: 28/430 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 35/36/33 mpg
Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 83 MPGe
EV Range: 37 mi

2023 Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $64,145/$75,065

POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter inline-4, 271 hp, 339 lb-ft + 2 AC motors, (combined output: 366 hp, 406 lb-ft; nickel-metal hydride battery pack)
Transmissions, F/R: 6-speed automatic/direct-drive

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 15.7-in vented disc/13.4-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S
235/50R-21 101V M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 192.5 in
Width: 75.6 in
Height: 67.3 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 52/45 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 46/30 ft3
Curb Weight: 4793 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.5 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.2 sec @ 97 mph
100 mph: 15.0 sec
120 mph: 23.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.0 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.7 sec
Top Speed (mfr's claim): 130 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 195 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.80 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 23 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 28 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 480 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 27/27/28 mpg

More Features and Specs

Shopping Tools

Shop For CarsResearch, compare, and find the exact car you're looking for at a dealer near you.Shop Now

What's My Car Worth?Get your car's trade-in and private-party-sale values using the same Black Book® data dealers use to appraise vehicles.Get Estimate

Compare CarsCompare features, specs, prices, and performance between different trim levels on any vehicle.Compare

Insurance MarketplaceSee what you can save on car insuranceLearn More

Auto Loans & FinancingOur finance experts answer any questions you may have about financing a vehicle.Learn More

Similar Vehicles

Editors Choice Icon

2026 Volvo XC60 Hybrid

Starting at

$62,545

EPA MPG

28 combined

C/D SAYS: Read our 2026 Volvo XC60 Hybrid review for information on ratings, pricing, specs, and features, and see how this SUV performed in our testing. Learn More

Editors Choice Icon

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Hybrid

Starting at

$61,650

EPA MPG

25 combined

C/D SAYS: The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Hybrid SUV is a plug-in that can go an impressive 54 miles on electricity alone, but it's not as impressive when the charge runs out. Learn More

2026 Lincoln Corsair Hybrid

Starting at

$55,860

EPA MPG

33 combined

C/D SAYS: Lincoln's luxury ethos is alive and well in its most fuel-efficient offering, but the 2026 Corsair Hybrid isn't the athlete its European rivals are. Learn More

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below