Once ahead, now trailing
The 2013 Lexus RX owes its current level of popularity to what it was in the late ’90s: an innovator, a trailblazer. When it came about in 1998, the RX was one of the first then un-branded crossovers to successfully marry luxury with utility.
The Lexus RX took off and is still flying high, but is losing precious ground to the likes of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. I suspect that young, affluent consumers are the ones responsible for the shift in the take rate.
One way or another, the 2013 Lexus RX is a classy ride, if uninspiring. I’ve long been a fan of the RX and the hybrid 450h is my favourite. I do enjoy the smooth operation of the hybrid system and its exterior styling. The opportunity to drive numerous competing luxury crossovers has exposed its weaknesses, but the RX remains good overall -- yet is no longer the best.
What is a Lexus RX 450h?
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h is the hybrid version of Lexus’ most popular and bestselling nameplate. In fact, this midsize luxury crossover’s sales are nearly as numerous as all of the Lexus cars combined.
The RX could be credited as being the one that brings buyers into showrooms. Of all the products that Lexus sells, the RX delivers the best combination of luxury, brand prestige, and room. It is also built in Canada.
Technicalities
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h and 350 use a 3.5L V6 as their main mode of motivation. In the hybrid, it develops 245 hp and 234 torques. The total hybrid system output sits at 295 hp thanks to three electric motor generators.
The series/parallel hybrid system with gas engine uses a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) up front and electric motors to drive the rear wheels.
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h’s pricing starts at $56,750. As tested, with the Touring package, its sticker price was $60,850. Should all options be selected with an Ultra Premium Package 2 With Blind Spot Monitoring added on to the original price, the RX will leave the showroom for $71,950.
Driving the Lexus RX 450h
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h’s drive is meant to be cosseting. With that in mind, and in order to please the typical Lexus owner, the RX covers ground smoothly; however, a few items surprise.
The first is the weight of its steering; it is heavy and sporty. The other is handling; although not as sharp as an Infiniti FX37 (QX70) or BMW X5, its command of curvy country roads was rather entertaining.
I was disappointed to find a brake pedal that seemed reluctant to direct my pressing intentions to the calipers. Despite that, braking performance is good and fitting for the 2013 Lexus RX 450h.
The Lexus Hybrid Drive system delivers plenty of punch and always in a silken manner. Immediate throttle response is assured by electricity, but where this hybrid shines is in the midrange where the V6 growls with satisfaction. The CVT managed to mind its Ps and Qs at all times.
Although I enjoyed hearing the 3.5L bellow in the “Power” range, I thought the grumble to be to much at lower city street speeds. As well, and likely the most substandard aspect of the RX, was the amount of wind noise that permeated the cabin at speeds above 80 km/h.
Inside and out of the Lexus RX 450h
As a Lexus, the RX should not make any excuses for the quality of its cabin. For the most part, it does not. Where materials and the way they come together are concerned, I have nothing negative to say, but the buck stop there.
Other high notes go to the seats, especially up front, which are supremely comfortable. Also, the 12-speaker Lexus premium audio system is quite good, and the trunk is capacious for most needs.
The dashboard’s layout and presentation are poor in taste. The gauges, large and legible, are also discouragingly boring. The HVAC and audio interface and the wedge it is “wedged” into is neither modern nor retro.
And then we have Lexus’ Remote Touch which I thought I had mastered after a few minutes, but by the week’s end I was still cursing about rarely getting the cursor to line up with my audio menu selection on the first try; a vehicle’s HMI should not require this much work.
Comparing the Lexus RX 450h
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h has few current competitors; the Audi Q5 Hybrid hits closest to home, and could be the one that hurts it the most. The recently introduced Infiniti QX60 Hybrid will do damage. Then there are the diesels such as the Mercedes Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC. Lastly, we have Toyota’s other hybrid CUV...
In the face of mounting competition from many sides, Lexus will need to spruce up the RX sooner rather than later...
The 2013 Lexus RX owes its current level of popularity to what it was in the late ’90s: an innovator, a trailblazer. When it came about in 1998, the RX was one of the first then un-branded crossovers to successfully marry luxury with utility.
The Lexus RX took off and is still flying high, but is losing precious ground to the likes of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. I suspect that young, affluent consumers are the ones responsible for the shift in the take rate.
One way or another, the 2013 Lexus RX is a classy ride, if uninspiring. I’ve long been a fan of the RX and the hybrid 450h is my favourite. I do enjoy the smooth operation of the hybrid system and its exterior styling. The opportunity to drive numerous competing luxury crossovers has exposed its weaknesses, but the RX remains good overall -- yet is no longer the best.
What is a Lexus RX 450h?
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h is the hybrid version of Lexus’ most popular and bestselling nameplate. In fact, this midsize luxury crossover’s sales are nearly as numerous as all of the Lexus cars combined.
The RX could be credited as being the one that brings buyers into showrooms. Of all the products that Lexus sells, the RX delivers the best combination of luxury, brand prestige, and room. It is also built in Canada.
Technicalities
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h and 350 use a 3.5L V6 as their main mode of motivation. In the hybrid, it develops 245 hp and 234 torques. The total hybrid system output sits at 295 hp thanks to three electric motor generators.
The series/parallel hybrid system with gas engine uses a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) up front and electric motors to drive the rear wheels.
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h’s pricing starts at $56,750. As tested, with the Touring package, its sticker price was $60,850. Should all options be selected with an Ultra Premium Package 2 With Blind Spot Monitoring added on to the original price, the RX will leave the showroom for $71,950.
Driving the Lexus RX 450h
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h’s drive is meant to be cosseting. With that in mind, and in order to please the typical Lexus owner, the RX covers ground smoothly; however, a few items surprise.
The first is the weight of its steering; it is heavy and sporty. The other is handling; although not as sharp as an Infiniti FX37 (QX70) or BMW X5, its command of curvy country roads was rather entertaining.
I was disappointed to find a brake pedal that seemed reluctant to direct my pressing intentions to the calipers. Despite that, braking performance is good and fitting for the 2013 Lexus RX 450h.
The Lexus Hybrid Drive system delivers plenty of punch and always in a silken manner. Immediate throttle response is assured by electricity, but where this hybrid shines is in the midrange where the V6 growls with satisfaction. The CVT managed to mind its Ps and Qs at all times.
Although I enjoyed hearing the 3.5L bellow in the “Power” range, I thought the grumble to be to much at lower city street speeds. As well, and likely the most substandard aspect of the RX, was the amount of wind noise that permeated the cabin at speeds above 80 km/h.
Inside and out of the Lexus RX 450h
As a Lexus, the RX should not make any excuses for the quality of its cabin. For the most part, it does not. Where materials and the way they come together are concerned, I have nothing negative to say, but the buck stop there.
Other high notes go to the seats, especially up front, which are supremely comfortable. Also, the 12-speaker Lexus premium audio system is quite good, and the trunk is capacious for most needs.
The dashboard’s layout and presentation are poor in taste. The gauges, large and legible, are also discouragingly boring. The HVAC and audio interface and the wedge it is “wedged” into is neither modern nor retro.
And then we have Lexus’ Remote Touch which I thought I had mastered after a few minutes, but by the week’s end I was still cursing about rarely getting the cursor to line up with my audio menu selection on the first try; a vehicle’s HMI should not require this much work.
Comparing the Lexus RX 450h
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h has few current competitors; the Audi Q5 Hybrid hits closest to home, and could be the one that hurts it the most. The recently introduced Infiniti QX60 Hybrid will do damage. Then there are the diesels such as the Mercedes Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC. Lastly, we have Toyota’s other hybrid CUV...
In the face of mounting competition from many sides, Lexus will need to spruce up the RX sooner rather than later...
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