Blacked-out appearance packages are all the rage these days, and the 2022 Lexus RX is the latest to cash in on this trend. While Lexus' mid-size luxury SUV carries over mostly unchanged for the 2022 model year, the two-row RX and three-row RX L have both added an all-new Black Line Edition limited-edition trim package. Lexus is only building a total of 2,500 RX Black Line Editions for North American customers including just 400 examples of the 2022 Lexus RX 450h.
2022 Lexus RX 450h Black Line Exterior
The 2022 Lexus RX 450h Black Line Edition might be exceptionally rare, but this model definitely isn't expensive. For just $1,765, the RX Black Line Edition adds unique blacked-out exterior accents including the mesh grille, door mirrors, model badges and 20-inch wheels with black lug nuts. As an extra dose of exclusivity, the Black Line Edition is offered in just two exterior colors, but the best is this tester's Eminent White Pearl paint job that adds a contrasting black-and-white theme and makes the RX's floating D-pillar even more eye-catching. To maximize the styling, this version of the RX 450h Black Line also added options like the $1,975 triple-beam LED headlights and the $1,350 power sunroof with aluminum roof rails.
2022 Lexus RX 450h Black Line Interior
To go along with the contrasting exterior motif, the interior of the 2022 Lexus RX 450h Black Line Edition brings an equally exclusive interior that features black seats with white perforated accents, black open-pore wood on the center console and door panels, black carpeting on the floor mats and cargo mat and light gray stitching throughout the cabin. The Black Line Edition also comes standard with the RX's Premium Package, which adds programmable settings for the seats, mirrors and steering wheel. Options on this tester included the ($2,285) 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation with 12-speaker audio system, ($640) heated and ventilated front seats, ($600) color head-up display, ($450) wood and leather steering wheel and ($150) power liftgate with kick sensor. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa capability are standard on all 2022 RX models.
Above all else, the current Lexus RX provides maximum comfort with plenty of space for both passengers and their cargo. The midsize luxury SUV easily accommodates five adults with space for 16.0 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row, and folding the rear seats flat opens up a maximum cargo capacity of 32.6 cubic feet. The rear seats fold flat easily using handles located in the cargo area, and best of all, hybrid buyers don't have to sacrifice cabin space for fuel efficiency as the RX 350 and RX 450h have identical passenger and cargo volumes.
2022 Lexus RX 450h Black Line Powertrain
With a total system output of 308 horsepower, the 2022 Lexus RX 450h holds the distinction of being the most-powerful Lexus RX ever produced. This hybrid drivetrain starts with the same 3.5-liter V6 used in the RX 350, which uses Toyota's advanced D-4S fuel injection system that combines port and direct injection allowing this to maximize power, torque and efficiency. With the standard all-wheel drive system, the RX 450h is powered by a trio of electric motors and a nickel metal hydride battery pack. This advanced powertrain allows the RX 450h to return EPA-rated fuel economy estimates of 31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, which is significantly better than the 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway of the RX 350.
Efficiency might be the name of the game when it comes to the 2022 Lexus RX 450h, but Lexus still tuned the RX to deliver a ride quality worthy of a world-class luxury SUV. Whether you're driving in the city or on the highway, the RX has an ultra-smooth ride and the passengers are rewarded with a whisper-quiet interior. As expected, the RX 450h's added hybrid components result in a curb weight penalty of more than 500 pounds compared to a base RX 350, but you don't feel that in the ride. While the RX is no sport-tuned SUV, the 7.9-second 0-60 time is impressive for such a roomy hybrid SUV. And on top of the RX's proven efficiency and luxuriousness, it's still a practical family hauler right down to the 3,500-pound max tow rating.
2022 Lexus RX 450h Black Line Safety
The 2022 Lexus RX 450h comes standard with ten airbags and the advanced Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 (forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, intelligent high beam headlights, lane departure alert, lane keep assist, road sign assist and blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert. All versions of the 2022 RX have scored a four-star overall crash rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
2022 Lexus RX 450h Black Line Overall
Even though the current Lexus RX dates back to the 2016 model year, Lexus has made continual updates to its top-selling nameplate to ensure it's able to keep up with newer mid-size luxury SUVs. Not only does the all-new Black Line Edition give the RX a distinctive style, it also creates a surprising amount of exclusivity - with production of just 400 units, the 2022 Lexus RX 450h Black Line Edition is rarer than the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon! And when you think of rare vehicles, you usually associate them with high sticker prices, but this well-equipped RX 450h Black Line Edition had an as-tested price of $60,175, which isn't that far of a stretch from the $45,320 MSRP of a base RX 350.
Jeffrey N. Ross | Jan 13, 2022
