Optimized for the Long and Short of it: The RX 450h+

19 years ago, the Lexus RX 400h became the first luxury hybrid model in the U.S. Lexus of Las Vegas is pleased to announce that Lexus has now taken another step by offering the 2024 RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid offering an estimated 37 EV-only miles and a manufacturer-estimate of 83 MPGe.

EV for Short Trips, Gas for Long Trips

In a world where EVs have ranges of 200 to 300 miles, 37 miles might not seem like much until you think about your daily driving habits. The RX 450h+ can charge overnight with a regular household 120V outlet. If your daily commute or routine of household and personal activities is less than 37 miles and you recharge every night, your RX 450h+ can operate without using a drop of gas for the entire work week; or possibly for weeks if you don’t have any long trips. 

And when you do have a long trip, you won’t need to arrange your trip around recharging along the way or at your destination. Your RX450h+ will get you there just like a normal vehicle while getting an estimated 36 combined mpg 

Even if your daily drive is longer than 45 miles, most of it will not be consuming gas. In almost any location in the U.S., electric driving costs less than gas driving, in part because electric motors are more efficient, converting over 77% of the electrical energy from the grid to power the wheels. Gas engines convert only about 12%–30% of the energy stored in gasoline to power the wheels,  with the rest mostly going to heat and engine pumping losses. So while the RX 450h+ costs more to purchase, it will save you money every morning you unplug it and start your day.

Getting around will not be slow either. With a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle gas engine powering the front wheels and a powerful electric motor powering the rear, The total output is rated at 302 hp while the all-wheel drive system improves stability in all kinds of weather conditions. 

Still the Best Luxury Crossover

All this discussion of efficiency and power would be a null point if the car wasn’t enjoyable. But wrapped around the additional motor and battery is the latest generation Lexus RX. All RX 450h+ owners will enjoy perforated semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior, and heated and ventilated power driver/front/rear passenger seats, which have been designed for superior ergonomic comfort, on even the longest of commutes or road trips.

The rest of the interior treats you to thematic ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel trimmed in wood and leather, the Lexus Memory System, a standard panorama glass roof, and a standard Head-up Display. To take advantage of the silent EV operation and nearly as silent gas operation, a 21-speaker Mark Levinson® Premium Surround Sound System is available. Passengers in the standard 40/20/40 power split-folding rear seat can charge their mobile devices on two USB Type-C outlets (six USB ports are found throughout the vehicle) or a standard 120V AC outlet.

Speaking of connections. You will never have to fumble with your phone upon entry or accidentally leave it in the car when you exit with standard Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. The systems appear on the standard 14-inch high-definition touchscreen, providing easy-to-use controls and clear information to the driver and front passenger. Even the in-car menu operations are similar to those found on smartphones and tablets. 

Keeping Driving Convenient and You Safe

Like all RX models, the RX450h+ is equipped with the latest Lexus Safety Sense 3.0 technology, which includes:

• All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management (DRCC)

• • Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA) – When white/yellow lane lines are detected at speeds above 30 mph, LDA w/SA is designed to issue an audio/visual lane departure warning if an inadvertent lane departure is detected. If the driver does not take corrective action, the system is also designed to provide gentle corrective steering for lane-keeping assistance.

• Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) – When Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) is enabled, and lane markers are detected, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) uses the lines on the road and/or preceding vehicles to provide active driving assistance and help keep the vehicle centered in its lane.

• Intelligent High Beam

• Road Sign Assist

• Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) – When system operating conditions are met, using the vehicle’s camera and radar, Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) provides gentle braking into curves or gentle braking and/or steering to help control the distance between your vehicle and a preceding vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist.

The RX450h+ is expected to arrive at Lexus of Las Vegas towards the end of the 2023 calendar year. Contact one of our sales professionals to inform you when the first ones arrive.