2013 Lexus RX 450h: Power, Not Value, Defines This Hybrid

The 2013 Lexus RX 450h is an interesting - if somewhat puzzling - piece of what has been an incredible success story for the Japanese luxury automaker. It's easy to understand what family shoppers see in the gas-only version of the Lexus RX, as the crossover provides ample interior space, an attractive entry-level price, and a decent number of high end features (although the prices of some of its options packages equal the MSRP of a subcompact car). This formula has helped to make the RX the best-selling member of the Lexus family, with a respectable take rate on optional gear also making it an important profit center for the brand.

The Lexus RX 450h is roughly 25 percent more expensive than the base RX 350, and while the additional scratch helps to pay for a few more creature comforts the bulk of that price increase funds the installation of a hybrid drivetrain. The RX 450h certainly provides better-than average fuel mileage, but is the extra cost borne out by its savings at the fuel pump?

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Pleasing On The Outside, A Bit Simple On The Inside

Lexus has refreshed the entire RX stable for the 2013 model year, which means that the Lexus RX 450h now wears the same 'spindle' grille that has become a fixture of the company's design language, matched with a front fascia that merge harder lines with a smooth, wind-swept appearance that is appropriate for a hybrid SUV. Moving to the rear of the vehicle sees a slight softening of the crossover's visual palette, with agreeable trapezoidal taillights cutting into the trunk lid, although a sharp cut just ahead of the back wheels (at the bottom of the rocker panels) adds some additional personality to the RX 450h's shape. More of a looker than in years past, the Lexus is still intended to conservatively slip into the driveway alongside whatever sedan or coupe is already in residence.

The interior of the Lexus RX 450h is a little more difficult to pin down. While some elements - particularly its seats, most of its materials, and the extraordinary amount of room afforded to both front and rear passengers (a credit to a cabin that pushes the windshield and dash away from the forward occupants) - are befitting of a luxury vehicle, others don't come across nearly as high end. Some of the control surfaces, buttons, and trim offered by the Lexus RX feel like they belong in a more affordable crossover. This particularly true when examining the vehicle's center stack, where the climate control and entertainment system are housed.

The Lexus Remote Touch feature also offers a mix of the premium and the pedestrian. The decision to avoid installing a touch screen and instead provide a mouse-like controller on the center console is an interesting one, and while it doesn't completely succeed (the mouse is a bit too sensitive, leading to mistakes when navigating menu choices, especially on bumpy roads), it's a valiant effort to step outside of the interface box. The graphics displayed by the RX 450h, however, are another story, as they seem to be a few steps behind those provided by much more affordable competitors.

Plenty Of Hybrid Power

The 2013 Lexus RX 450h is a heavy vehicle, and it's commendable that the company's engineers didn't hamstring its performance by dialling back its output in search of fuel efficiency. In fact, the hybrid RX produces more ponies than the gas-only model, with a final rating of 295 horsepower from its combination of electric motors and a 3.5-liter V6 (three battery-assisted units for all-wheel drive version of the crossover that is the only one offered in Canada). The RX 450h that I drove for a week had plenty of get-up, even when left in Eco mode. I felt no need to switch into Sport, nor engage the vehicle's manual shift feature, in order to squeeze out additional acceleration from the crossover's drivetrain, although I did enjoy the fact that the dash's glow turned red to warn me of Sport mode's potent potential.

It would be unreasonable to expect the RX 450h to deliver athletic handling, but I was surprised by just how confident it made me feel while cornering, even when speeds were a little bit higher than they really should have been. This is despite a suspension system that has clearly been tuned for comfort rather than handling acumen. Conversely, at low speeds the hybrid's steering felt unusually stiff, almost as though I was fighting the wheel in parking lots. This sensation was most pronounced in the first few minutes after initial start-up.

Not Quite Capable Of Meeting Its Efficiency Targets

On paper, the 2013 Lexus RX 450h is rated at 6.7 l/100 km in city driving and 7.2 l / 100 km on the highway. In a steady mix of the two, I managed to achieve 11.2 l/100 km, a figure which is off the manufacturer's estimate by a fair margin. As I stated earlier, the RX 450h was driven in its most efficient mode (Eco) during the majority of my time behind the wheel, and I was surprised by how much fuel it used during our time together.

Further research indicates that I am not the only one having trouble matching real-world performance with the crossover's official fuel economy rating, as other journalists and owners have voiced similar concerns. From an economic standpoint, however, there isn't that much of an argument for buying the hybrid version of the RX over the standard edition, as it would take anywhere between six years and a decade (depending on the ascent of gas prices) before the fuel savings would add up to the price difference between the two models.

A Tough Choice For Crossover Shoppers

I came away from my time with the 2013 Lexus 450h impressed by its ride, its handling, and its generous interior space, which has been expertly managed so as to provide an open feel for passengers and plenty of practical storage for cargo. Power was also excellent for a vehicle of its size, with the hybrid crossover delivering the kind of acceleration one would expect out of a model that starts at an MSRP of $56,750.

The biggest question for me is, 'where's the value?' If the feature set and presentation of the RX 450h that I drove didn’t have me feeling like I was being spoiled by something special - even after $4,000 in options had been added to its sticker - then that would seem to indicate that the RX 450h isn't as competitive as it needs to be with other luxury SUVs. Further, the lack of a compelling performance when it comes to fuel economy further hampers the appeal of the pricy model. Yes, it is possible to load up the hybrid with even more equipment that I experienced in order to cushion the rigors of daily driving, but doing so quickly elevates the cost of the RX into the realm of much more elegant SUV designs.

It would seem that for most buyers, the sweet spot for Lexus RX ownership begins just before the jump to the hybrid edition of the crossover. Spending the extra cash on optional gear is a more palatable prospect if the starting price is that much more affordable. Consider, therefore, the RX 450h trim to be an eco-conscious, low-emissions investment in green credibility and performance that is unlikely to pay off financially in the form of reduced fuel consumption.