Lexus Rx450H+ vs Lexus LX450D

What's the difference?

The new Lexus RX450h+ Sports Luxury is packed with a wealth of premium features and strikes a solid balance between refinement and practicality. There are enough thoughtful touches that make everyday driving a little easier.

You’ll get the most out of the plug-in hybrid powertrain if you’re able to charge it regularly; ideally every day. That might not always be practical for busy people on the go, but overall, the RX450h+ manages to blend efficiency with Lexus’ signature comfort and quality.

If you're in the market for the best-of-the-best SUV wagon, then you could do a lot of worse than get in a LX 450d. It looks good, is packed with standard features and is supremely comfortable. The 450d also has an suite of safety tech worthy of the hefty price-tag and it works well as a daily driver and has plenty of touring potential, even though we doubt it'll ever get anywhere near achieving those claimed fuel-consumption figures with real-world usage. Sure, you could instead climb in a second-hand, well-looked-after, never-been-off-road LandCruiser 200 Series and spend the money you save, by not buying this new Lexus, on aftermarket and camping gear, camping fees and also hiring a team of four people to follow you on mopeds everywhere and constantly tell you what a great driver you are – but that's not the point with vehicles of this ilk. They may not be aimed at hard-core off-roading buyers, but they are cushy, classy, and cityified – and, in that respect, they're incredibly well-built for purpose.

The RX isn’t breaking new ground with its plug-in hybrid design, but it still delivers that signature Lexus understated refinement.

The strong, flowing body lines, 21-inch alloy wheels and updated 'spindle grille' all give it presence without screaming for attention.

And in a segment where boxy and bulky designs tend to dominate, the RX’s swoopy silhouette helps it stand apart in all the right ways.

Inside, the cabin feels considered and luxurious. There's a heavy use of premium materials, including the leather and suede upholstery, plush soft-touch surfaces and the big, crisp displays that make the space feel modern and high-end.

The panoramic sunroof brings in loads of natural light, too, which is especially welcome given the dark headliner that might otherwise feel a little heavy.

If I have one gripe, it’s the thin steering wheel, which doesn’t quite match the otherwise solid, tactile feel of the rest of the interior. But overall, the cabin is a space that feels luxurious and well-executed. It's quietly confident, just like the RX.

It has that signature Lexus jagged space-age grille, chunky shoulders and beefy back end that suit a luxury SUV dreamed up by folks craving a significant presence and plenty of attention for their product.

Bulky side-steps, an upswept raked profile, scalloped side panels and moon roof all top what is a cool combination of eye-friendly design factors. It's a slick mix of low-level cool and high-end style.

Take a look for yourself and make up your own mind whether you like it or not.

The RX cabin is thoughtfully laid out and impressively practical, with a premium feel that doesn’t come at the cost of everyday usability.

Up front, there’s plenty of space for driver and passenger, yet the stepped dash design brings a sense of intimacy. The electric front seats are seriously comfortable, with four-way lumbar support and extra adjustment functions that make this an easy choice for long drives.

Storage options are generous, too. There’s a clever dual-opening centre console, large glove box, multiple phone-sized shelves, map pockets and a couple of cup- and drink holders in each row.

Charging is taken care of by four USB-C ports, one USB-A port and a wireless charging pad.

Tech is up-to-date and well-integrated. The upgraded 14-inch media display looks crisp, supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and is paired with a revamped 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a colour head-up display.

The cluster’s new layout is modern and much easier to read than the previous offering. The digital rear view mirror also earns its keep when the cabin’s packed with passengers or gear.

One of my favourite touches? The seat controls on the side of the front passenger seat. It makes quick work of moving the seat forward, especially helpful when you’ve got a kid clambering in with a school bag full of projects.

Access to the rear row is easy, but the stadium-style seating, where you're perched noticeably higher than those in the front, won’t be for everyone.

That said, the rear seats are plush and padded, though they lack side bolsters, which rear passengers might notice during cornering.

Legroom is generous and the hardened kickplates are a dream to clean when your child’s treating the seatbacks like a climbing wall.

My eight-year old gives the back seat a glowing review, thanks to its creature comforts, including rear climate control, directional air vents, seat heating/ventilation on the outboard seats, two USB-C ports and retractable sun-blinds, which are a crowd favourite in our household.

There are three top-tether anchor points, and the bench is wide enough to fit three child seats, though bulky booster seats might be tricky due to the raised seating height.

At the back, the boot is well set up for families, offering electrically folding rear seats, a 12-volt socket, flat loading floor, and a hands-free powered tailgate.

Under the floor, there’s a small compartment for your charging cables (Lexus throws in two!) and a usable 612L of capacity when all seats are in use. One downside, though, is the lack of a spare tyre as you just get a tyre repair/inflation kit.

It certainly feels like Lexus designers and engineers have maximised every last millimetre of interior space; there is stacks of room inside with plenty of real-world usable storage spaces, including cup-holders, door pockets and spots for keys, phones and other stuff.

The heated steering wheel, stylish analogue clock, wireless charger, Lexus climate concierge (coordinating all four-zone temperature controls), cavernous centre-console cooler box, and rear-seat entertainment system are all nice touches but pretty much assumed at price-points lower than this one.

The 12.3-inch high-definition media touchscreen is clear and bright and easy to operate, but the Remote Touch Interface, the control near the shifter, is very annoying to use. The toggle/selector is too sensitive, skipping past your actual choice over and over again, while you try to manipulate it just so, so it lands on the option you wanted.

The second-row seating is plush and the seat sections are easily slid forward and tilted.

Lexus claims the 450d offers 909 litres of cargo space if there are five occupants; and 1431 litres if there are only two occupants. If you have some casual weekend touring in mind, with a spot of camping, then this Lexus should cope with your gear, no worries.

Price as tested on our five-seat LX 450d is $136,000. The base RRP is $134,500 and our Lexus had premium paint (Sonic Quartz), which adds $1500; no other options were fitted. 

It is absolutely packed to the rafters with high-quality stuff, which is no surprise really because, at this price, you’d expect nothing less. Standard features include a 12.3-inch high-definition screen with nine-speaker, seven-channel audio system (with “digital sound processing”), satellite navigation, and four-zone climate control air-conditioning with climate concierge function and nanoe technology (claimed to purify the air and moisturise hair and skin, according to Lexus). It also has heated front seats, leather-accented trim, a wireless phone charger, cool box, rear-door sunshades, 20-inch alloy wheels with 285/50R tyres, tyre-pressure warning, LED headlamps, daytime running lamps and sequential turn signals.

There are seven exterior colours and two leather-accented interiors from which to choose.

The LX 450d does not have any enhancement packs.

Under the bonnet the RX450h+ Sports Luxury runs a plug-in hybrid powertrain that pairs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a CVT auto and dual electric motors - one on each axle. Together, they produce a total of 227kW of power, though Lexus doesn’t quote a combined torque figure.

Still, it’s quick off the mark for a large SUV, with a 0-100km/h time of 6.5 seconds. There’s more than enough grunt for daily driving and overtaking, even if it doesn’t quite match the outright power of its key PHEV rivals.

The Lexus LX 450d has the LandCruiser's 4.5-litre twin-turbo direct-injection V8 engine, producing 200kW@3600rpm and 650Nm@1600-2800rpm. All of that power and torque arrives evenly and smoothly, helped no end by a slick six-speed sequential-shift transmission.

It has a full-time 4WD system, dual-range transfer case and off-road tech that includes multi-terrain anti-skid brakes, crawl control and a four-camera multi-terrain monitoring system with back guide and panoramic view. 

The plug-in hybrid system brings solid efficiency, with claimed fuel use of just 1.3L/100km. In real-world conditions (mostly urban driving with regular recharging) I managed a respectable 4.8L/100km, which makes a strong case for the hybrid set-up.

The fuel tank holds 55 litres and it's worth noting Lexus recommends using a minimum of 95 RON unleaded petrol to fill it.

Using our real-world economy figure you can expect a range in excess of 1100km between fills.

The RX450h+ is fitted with a relatively small 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery, supporting an NEDC electric-only range of up to 65km.

While that’s fine for short daily trips, it’s shorter than you'd ideally want in a family SUV of this size and it lags behind rivals like the BMW X5 and Volvo XC90 in this department.

Charging is simple enough. The RX uses a Type 2 charging port and accepts up to 7.0kW on AC power, which means a full charge takes around 7.5 hours, perfect for overnight top-ups. Lexus also includes an at-home charging cable and second adapter cable as standard, which is a thoughtful touch.

Lexus claims the LX 450d will achieve a 9.5L/100km figure from combined-cycle driving (that's 4.9L/100km more frugal than the LX 570 is capable of). Lexus reckons, based on that figure, that the diesel LX has a potential range of almost 1000km on a full tank (93 litres) of fuel.

We recorded 12.7L/100km during daily driving (city and suburbs) and 13.5L/100km with some light off-roading thrown into the drive mix.

The RX450h+ delivers power that’s pert and prompt, with genuine bursts of acceleration that make driving fun. It’s always ready to go and there's no lag in stop-start traffic - which gives it a lively, dynamic feel around town.

The transition between petrol and electric power is seamless; you hardly notice the switch, which makes for a smooth, refined driving experience. The cabin is impressively quiet, even on the highway, making long trips comfortable and peaceful.

Regenerative braking isn’t adjustable and is subtle enough that many won’t notice it which is likely a plus for fans of traditional internal combustion engines who are making the PHEV leap.

The adaptive variable suspension adds a sporty edge to handling, letting you confidently take corners at speed. There’s some body roll but the RX never feels top-heavy or unsettled.

The steering carries the weight of the SUV but remains well-balanced and responsive. Overall, it’s a well-tuned machine that’s a pleasure to drive.

Maneuverability is a strong suit, too, thanks to a tight 11.8-metre turning circle and a clear, easy-to-use 360-degree camera system. Parking is easy-as-pie, which a lot of drivers will appreciate.

It’s supremely comfortable and very quiet, wth that customary cocoon-like enclosed sensation that you only ever truly get in a vehicle this far away from cheap.

The 450d is 5080mm long, 1980mm wide and 1865mm high. It has a 11.8m turning circle. It has an official kerb weight listed as between 2510kg and 2740kg.

For something with so many kegs onboard, it’s capable of punching off the mark with a respectable bit of pace; handy for city-street bursts to slip through traffic gaps.

It never feels cumbersome; it actually feels quite light on its toes. In fact this Lexus tends to be more than a little bit floaty at times. You can select different suspension settings – comfort, normal or sport – to suit your preference.

Visibility is generous all-round with clear sightlines in all directions; besides, the reversing monitor with 360-degree view helps if your views are hindered.

Steering is generally active but it does exhibit quite a lot of under-steer on twisting country roads. It has paddle-shifters if you’re that inclined.

The LX 450d rides on 20-inch alloys and 20-inch Dunlop Grandtrak PT2As (285/50F20 112V) – a combination which is fine for bitumen-based outings, but we’d ditch it for rubber with more sidewall to allow for greater freedom to adjust tyre pressures to suit rough terrain.

The LX 450d has a five-star ANCAP rating. It has the latest-generation Lexus pre-collision safety system with pedestrian detection, and 10 airbags. Other standard safety gear includes radar active cruise control, lane-departure warning, adaptive high-beam system, blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as clearance and back sonar, and reversing monitor with 360-degree view. 

The RX comes with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which matches its key rivals but isn’t exactly class-leading by today’s standards.

Servicing is handled via a capped-price program, with each service costing $695. The intervals are well spaced at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

This Sports Luxury grade also includes a three-year complimentary 'Lexus Encore' membership, granting access to a handy phone app and member benefits at partners like Westfield and Ampol. On top of that, you get 24/7 roadside assistance for added peace of mind.

Warranty is 4 yrs/100,000km. Service intervals with indicative pricing (exc GST) are: six months/10,000km: complimentary; 12 months/20,000km: $535.56; 18 months/30,000km: $598.11; 24 months/40,000km: $800.32; 30 months/50,000km: $502.44; 36 months/60,000km: $676.23.