Lexus RX 450h 2021 Review

Just like sinus-cleansing wasabi, the 2021 Lexus RX 450h Sports Luxury can make your eyes water with its polarising shaped-by-a-samurai exterior design and counterintuitive infotainment touchpad functionality.

But, if your palette is accustomed to a long burn, the Japanese SUV’s shock value – and its quirks – fade over time for it to become a refined, acquired taste, and even a little desirable…

The Lexus offers decent value for money too, at least when compared to its European rivals, as it is priced around $30K cheaper than segment leaders such as the American-built BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

And what it lacks in handling and dynamics at this level, it makes up for with excellent levels of luxury and refinement.

The fourth-generation Lexus RX underwent a significant upgrade in 2019 and is now priced from a smidge over $73,000 plus on-road costs for the entry-level 2.0-litre turbo-petrol RX 300 Luxury 2WD and tops out at just over $113,000 (plus ORCs) for the RX 450hL AWD stretched seven-seat version.

The model on test here is the flagship five-seat version, the Lexus RX 450h Sports Luxury, which is priced at $111,088 plus ORCs.

As it turns out, the Sports Luxury badge might be overselling the Lexus RX a little as it is about as sporty as the Japanese delicacy deep-fried ice-cream.

However, there is a moreish richness about its superb level of refinement that definitely qualifies the Luxury part.

Indeed, the interior is one of the best you’ll find in the segment with high-quality semi-aniline (which translates to ultra-plush) leather upholstery that features quilted stitching and micro-perforations and is second to none.

The big heated and cooled cream-coloured (or black) front seats with soft cushioning and 14-way power adjustment on this range-topping model are the best in this class and make time spent in the Lexus truly special.

The delectable premium leather extends to the door trim alongside open-pore walnut timber highlights (or laser-cut bamboo if you prefer) but, personally, I think these elements look a bit chintzy compared to the more subtle integration of wood grains found in alternative European SUVs.

Just as the front seat accommodation is top notch, the rear seats are pretty schmick too with power adjustment for the reclining backrest and manual fore/aft slide adjustment for the cushion providing passengers with a flexible and spacious seating arrangement.

All RX models come with a large and legible 12.3-inch central multimedia screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six USB ports and handy power-adjustable steering column.

The Sports Luxury variant adds extra niceties over the base model such as a beautifully crisp 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, digital radio and wireless phone charging, plus a crystal-clear colour head-up display with real-time road sign (speed limit) updates as well as a panoramic glass sunroof, all of which make drive time in this vehicle seamless and relaxing.

The 506-litre boot is accessed via a power-operated tailgate. It provided plenty of space to swallow luggage for three on a 10-day getaway, including outdoor and beach gear.

The RX 450h on test was finished in Khaki Green exterior paint which drew mixed responses from friends and family. It looks almost black in shady conditions, but sparkles a deep green in full sun.

The 2021 Lexus RX 450h Sports Luxury is fitted with 10 airbags and a full suite of advanced crash avoidance systems including an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system that is capable of automatically braking the car if it detects an impending impact with another vehicle or pedestrian in all conditions as well as cyclists during the daytime.

Lexus’ autonomous driving tech used to be too overzealous in previous iterations but revisions to certain functions like its adaptive cruise control and lane tracing assist have considerably improved their operation with this updated model, making long highway drives relaxing by accelerating, braking and steering the vehicle smoothly and automatically.

While the lane tracing assist system can keep the vehicle centred in its lane while driving through gentle curves (it can’t deal with twisty roads), it can also ‘lock’ onto other vehicles in dense traffic and works at all speeds. It’s not quite as proactive as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi systems, but it’s a definite improvement.

Sequential front and rear LED indicators are part of the tech package, as are the same adaptive auto-high-beam anti-dazzle LED headlights from the flagship $200K Lexus LC coupe, which afford excellent illumination at night.

The Lexus matches its German rivals with plenty of parking assistance features, including four camera displays (front, rear, sides) and a bird’s eye view for a 360-degree display which makes slotting into car parks a lot easier.

Even though Lexus’ remote-touch input pad that controls the infotainment system lends the cabin a high-tech look, its functionality leaves a lot to be desired. Thankfully, the driver can also activate functions in the sat-nav, music and connectivity systems via voice control or the touch-screen.

The powertrain in the 2021 Lexus RX 450h Sports Luxury is not what you’d call cutting-edge these days, not when EVs like the Audi e-tron and plug-in hybrids like the BMW X5 exist in a similar space.

Those vehicles use large-capacity lithium-ion battery packs to allow for decent driving range using the electric motor, while Lexus continues to make do with a less efficient and heavier nickel-metal hydride battery – the same that’s been in use for over 20 years by parent company Toyota.

Indeed, the smaller battery in the RX only provides very short electric-only cruising – we’re talking one kilometre, tops. Nevertheless, it should be acknowledged the system is effective at reducing everyday fuel consumption and delivers impressive levels of refinement.

The hybrid powertrain links a 3.5-litre petrol V6 (193kW/335Nm) that drives the front wheels with a single electric motor on the rear axle that provides an additional 50kW/139Nm.

Each can operate independently or in tandem, with the two delivering a combined output of 230kW. While Lexus states it maintains the maximum 335Nm of torque from just the petrol engine, it feels a bit burlier at full throttle with the extra thrust from the e-motor.

Flatten the accelerator pedal in Sport mode and the tubby 2210kg Lexus moves relatively swiftly but it’s hardly what I would call sporty.

Making the most of the EV mode is best described as frustrating as the under-nourished 50kW electric motor struggles to shift the hybrid SUV’s mass on its own. It can accelerate to city speeds from a standstill but to do so requires breathing on the accelerator with such a light right foot that it will likely have other motorists honking in frustration.

Nevertheless, the package has been refined over the years and delivers surprisingly good fuel economy with Lexus claiming it has an average consumption of 5.7L/100km.

However, that’s a figure we struggled to match during our time with an average reading of 7.4L/100km after almost 1000km of mixed driving conditions, the majority of which was cruising at freeway speeds.

The gearbox is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic which is smooth and suits the cushy nature of the vehicle itself but is rather devoid of character even though it has a six-step quasi-manual mode via the paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel that rarely compelled me to use them.

Ultimately, the Lexus RX 450h powertrain is smooth, quiet and refined, rather than muscular and enthusiastic. More luxury than sport.

If you’re looking for an even cleaner, quieter alternative from Lexus, the Japanese brand will bring its first EV, the Lexus UX 300e compact SUV to Australia later this year. While it’s smaller than the RX, it still seats five and can travel up to 400km on a single charge.

Adaptive variable suspension is part of 2021 Lexus RX 450h Sports Luxury package and it delivers excellent ride comfort with barely any road noise intruding into the cabin, even on its 20-inch alloy wheels with low-profile tyres.

The flipside is that it is dynamically uninspiring. The body rolls and pitches in corners and although the suspension set-up was tweaked in 2020 as part of a mid-life update to provide sharper handling, it still isn’t what I’d call confidence-inspiring on demanding roads.

However, I doubt many potential owners are looking to whip the Lexus like a racehorse and will drive it more as a comfortable cruiser or urban commuter, which is a mission it admirably achieves.

The light steering and straightforward controls make it effortless to drive, the cushy suspension cossets passengers in a luxury cocoon and the high-riding position delivers clear vision.

Overall, it’s a relaxing vehicle to drive that is easy to live with and engenders a calm, serene ambience for all occupants.

While the Lexus RX was comfortably outsold by the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE in 2020, it was number-three in the large luxury SUV segment and more popular than the Audi Q7 and Range Rover Sport.

The exterior design may put some buyers off, but from behind the wheel the 2021 Lexus RX 450h Sports Luxury is unlikely to disappoint with its sumptuous on-road character, well-appointed cabin and overall refinements.

The more I drove it and adapted to its leisurely character and playing with its hybrid technology to stretch its driving range, the more I liked it.

Frankly, it’s been ages since I last drove an RX and I was expecting this updated version to feel like a bit of a dinosaur with few compelling elements.

But it’s surprising how Lexus has kept this vehicle relevant with generous equipment levels and a lavish interior that’s worth the price of admission alone.

When you consider the improvements made to its autonomous car technology – and the way they now operate intuitively – the RX has evolved into a more competent machine than I expected.

All in all, despite some shortcomings around its infotainment system, it delivers a unique and appealing take on the large luxury SUV.

On top of that, although the four-year/100,000km warranty is not as strong as Mercedes’ five-year offering, Lexus sets the benchmark for customer support as it will collect and return owners’ cars for servicing while providing a free loan car – including new Lexus models – and offers a wide range of unique customer experiences.

Lexus vehicles consistently land in the upper echelons of customer service and reliability surveys too, and given its relationship to Toyota it has a rock-solid reputation that it won’t rattle itself to bits.

Of course, there is the wasabi factor to consider here thanks to the SUV’s unconventional exterior design and plodding powertrain.

But unless your next SUV has to wear a European badge – and remember that both the BMW and Benz are actually built in the US, not Germany – there are plenty of reasons to consider the Lexus RX.

How much does the 2021 Lexus RX 450h Sports Luxury cost?
Price: $111,088 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol-electric hybrid
Output: 193kW/335Nm (230kW combined)
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 5.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 131g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2015)