The RX 450h is a midsize luxury crossover that features all-wheel drive and hybrid-driven performance. While it failed to achieve its rated fuel economy, it provided a refined driving experience and better-than-average economy for this popular segment.
Little new for 2012
Although big changes are in line for the RX in 2013, the 2012 model is a distillation of all that's good about the existing vehicle, and that's not always the case when manufacturers rework a product. From photos I've seen, the next RX generation resembles the current vehicle, so taking the plunge on a 2012 model is unlikely to saddle buyers with a dated looking ride.
I'm not a huge fan of the RX's styling and its varied assortment of lines and body creases, but who am I to bemoan what others may consider perfection? My affection for the RX elevates, though, once inside its plush cabin; this is where the designers got their act together.
The generous allotment of interior real estate combined with my tester's parchment colour scheme produced a bright, airy environment from which to enjoy this vehicle's many attributes. While the RX 450h is a fully loaded version of the Lexus crossover, it manages to present its wealth of technology and convenience features in an orderly, almost understated manner.
Much of the "easy-to-use" logistics are found in the Remote Touch mouse-like control that falls to hand on the centre console. This extraction from the digital world enables the driver to access and adjust many vehicle settings and controls. It's not unlike the systems found in other expensive automobiles, such as BMW's iDrive, but seems more intuitive to use than others I've dabbled with.
The Remote Touch setup uses the vehicle's 7" LCD screen to display the options and settings. This screen also services the navigation system and the backup camera.
The 60/40 split rear seat of the RX 450h easily drops flat to maximize cargo capacity, but it should be noted that the sharply sloping roofline chops heavily into the cargo hold, limiting the ability to accommodate tall, boxy items.
Overall, the cabin of the RX 450h is a delightful, leather-lined cocoon in which to pass the miles in outstanding comfort. And those miles slip by effortlessly thanks to the hybrid technology seamlessly working beneath the hood.
Greater refinement and performance marks the 450h
For me, driving this week's tester really illuminated the degree of improvement of late in the operational refinement of hybrid powerplants. The participation of the gas engine has become far more seamlessly integrated into the production of power than a few short years ago, and there is no better example of this development than the setup Lexus has engineered for the RX 450h.
Their hybrid system combines a 3.5L Atkinson-cycle V6 gas engine with three high-torque electric motors and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to supply propulsion to all four wheels of the RX 450h.
The sophisticated gas/electric powerplant produces 295 net horsepower. While throttle mapping is on the restrained side to assist in fuel conservation, the RX 450h will surprise when the gas pedal is sufficiently depressed. This vehicle will get up and move, but it takes a lot of right foot travel to make that happen.
On the positive side, the CVT works remarkably well. It allows the driver to mimic manually upshifting and downshifting gears through the manual mode function. This is a useful touch that I found beneficial in mountainous terrain.
Fuel economy target missed
While the RX 450h had no problem contending with long inclines, it didn't measure up to its stated fuel economy ratings of 6.7L/100km and 7.2L/100km, city and highway driving respectively. My week of mostly city travel returned a fuel consumption average in the mid-to-high 9L/100km range.
Despite missing its posting, it was a far cry better than the 14-15L/100km range that I was subject to recently while testing Infiniti's FX35. If I had really applied myself, I'm sure I could have improved the return on both vehicles, but I'm not OCD enough to care.
Wrapping the Lexus luxury hybrid
The 2012 RX 450h is quite a remarkable vehicle. It provides an upscale driving experience that spoils occupants with a library-quiet cabin filled with leather-bound books and comfortable chairs. The unit delivers one of the smoothest rides in the AWD crossover segment while also harbouring sufficient potency to inspire confidence in the passing lane.
Despite not wowing me with its fuel efficiency, I was content in knowing that it consumed approximately 30-percent less liquid gold than the FX35, and in doing so spewed fewer pollutants into the atmosphere.
In Canada, the RX 450h is only available in AWD configuration, and such would be my preference in this sort of vehicle. Unfortunately, the base price for the RX 450h is somewhat steep at $59,700. The optional Touring Package, which includes upgraded wheels, audio and navigation, added another $3,050 to my tester's MSRP, for a hurdle of $62,750.
Little new for 2012
Although big changes are in line for the RX in 2013, the 2012 model is a distillation of all that's good about the existing vehicle, and that's not always the case when manufacturers rework a product. From photos I've seen, the next RX generation resembles the current vehicle, so taking the plunge on a 2012 model is unlikely to saddle buyers with a dated looking ride.
I'm not a huge fan of the RX's styling and its varied assortment of lines and body creases, but who am I to bemoan what others may consider perfection? My affection for the RX elevates, though, once inside its plush cabin; this is where the designers got their act together.
The generous allotment of interior real estate combined with my tester's parchment colour scheme produced a bright, airy environment from which to enjoy this vehicle's many attributes. While the RX 450h is a fully loaded version of the Lexus crossover, it manages to present its wealth of technology and convenience features in an orderly, almost understated manner.
Much of the "easy-to-use" logistics are found in the Remote Touch mouse-like control that falls to hand on the centre console. This extraction from the digital world enables the driver to access and adjust many vehicle settings and controls. It's not unlike the systems found in other expensive automobiles, such as BMW's iDrive, but seems more intuitive to use than others I've dabbled with.
The Remote Touch setup uses the vehicle's 7" LCD screen to display the options and settings. This screen also services the navigation system and the backup camera.
The 60/40 split rear seat of the RX 450h easily drops flat to maximize cargo capacity, but it should be noted that the sharply sloping roofline chops heavily into the cargo hold, limiting the ability to accommodate tall, boxy items.
Overall, the cabin of the RX 450h is a delightful, leather-lined cocoon in which to pass the miles in outstanding comfort. And those miles slip by effortlessly thanks to the hybrid technology seamlessly working beneath the hood.
Greater refinement and performance marks the 450h
For me, driving this week's tester really illuminated the degree of improvement of late in the operational refinement of hybrid powerplants. The participation of the gas engine has become far more seamlessly integrated into the production of power than a few short years ago, and there is no better example of this development than the setup Lexus has engineered for the RX 450h.
Their hybrid system combines a 3.5L Atkinson-cycle V6 gas engine with three high-torque electric motors and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to supply propulsion to all four wheels of the RX 450h.
The sophisticated gas/electric powerplant produces 295 net horsepower. While throttle mapping is on the restrained side to assist in fuel conservation, the RX 450h will surprise when the gas pedal is sufficiently depressed. This vehicle will get up and move, but it takes a lot of right foot travel to make that happen.
On the positive side, the CVT works remarkably well. It allows the driver to mimic manually upshifting and downshifting gears through the manual mode function. This is a useful touch that I found beneficial in mountainous terrain.
Fuel economy target missed
While the RX 450h had no problem contending with long inclines, it didn't measure up to its stated fuel economy ratings of 6.7L/100km and 7.2L/100km, city and highway driving respectively. My week of mostly city travel returned a fuel consumption average in the mid-to-high 9L/100km range.
Despite missing its posting, it was a far cry better than the 14-15L/100km range that I was subject to recently while testing Infiniti's FX35. If I had really applied myself, I'm sure I could have improved the return on both vehicles, but I'm not OCD enough to care.
Wrapping the Lexus luxury hybrid
The 2012 RX 450h is quite a remarkable vehicle. It provides an upscale driving experience that spoils occupants with a library-quiet cabin filled with leather-bound books and comfortable chairs. The unit delivers one of the smoothest rides in the AWD crossover segment while also harbouring sufficient potency to inspire confidence in the passing lane.
Despite not wowing me with its fuel efficiency, I was content in knowing that it consumed approximately 30-percent less liquid gold than the FX35, and in doing so spewed fewer pollutants into the atmosphere.
In Canada, the RX 450h is only available in AWD configuration, and such would be my preference in this sort of vehicle. Unfortunately, the base price for the RX 450h is somewhat steep at $59,700. The optional Touring Package, which includes upgraded wheels, audio and navigation, added another $3,050 to my tester's MSRP, for a hurdle of $62,750.
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