Lexus Rx450H+ vs Subaru BRZ

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.

The Subaru BRZ is a classic modern-day sports car that is a driver’s car through and through. This top-spec tS tester with the litany of accessories is a great example of what’s possible straight from the dealer, but it’s definitely not the best bang for your buck.

Thankfully you still get virtually every benefit the BRZ offers in the entry-level model. You’ll save thousands of dollars which you can use to pay for fuel on a road trip or modify your car exactly how you’d like.

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.

The Subaru BRZ has a timeless exterior design that screams dynamic sports car from every angle.

Even though the second-generation BRZ is around halfway through its lifecycle now, the design is aging like fine wine. It’s also a lovely evolution of the original which dates back to 2011.

The BRZ is low slung, has an aggressive front fascia plus the rear has prominent exhaust pipes. All of this stacks up to make a tough-looking car.

Thankfully this test example is also finished in 'WR Blue' exterior paint, which in my books is still the best colour for a Subaru performance car.

Adding all the genuine accessory goodies onto this car not only amplifies its street appeal, but also harnesses its racing intent. The carbon rear wing in particular has a swan neck design much like the Porsche 911 GT3. Many interested car-spotters craned their necks to get a good look.

Despite this, all the accessories are too flashy for my taste, especially for a car likely to be driven daily. I’d go for the stock look to retain resale, or something subtle like a small rear lip spoiler.

Inside the BRZ has all of the hallmarks of a sports car, as well. These include a steering wheel with minimal buttons, a prominent rev counter and contoured seats.

The manual gear shifter in this car is prominent and nice to hold. It’s great to still see manual options as they’re slowly but surely falling out of favour with buyers.

The manual handbrake is also a nice touch from a design perspective, but it limits overall interior practicality. More on that in a bit.

You can tell the interior is getting a little dated due to the older central multimedia system. But at the end of the day sports cars are more about the driving experience than the flashy tech.

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.

Hopping into the BRZ you’re immediately aware you’re getting into a sports car. It’s low-slung and the driving position feels like you’re almost sitting on the road. Perfect for this kind of machine.

The front seats are beautifully contoured and lock you in for when you’re driving through the twisties. Thankfully, the bolstering isn’t too aggressive and it’s still comfortable for everyday driving.

Ahead of the driver, the leather-wrapped steering wheel has a thin rim and is lovely to hold and turn. There aren’t many buttons but the few that remain are purposeful and have a lovely tactile click.

Behind this there is a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster that permanently displays the rev counter in the middle. It’s a cool set-up that almost has a retro look to it, plus you’re able to configure the content that is displayed on the left-hand side.

Moving across, the central touchscreen multimedia system is classic Subaru. Nothing revolutionary, but I appreciate the physical shortcut buttons and dials on both sides of the screen.

It’s very easy to navigate around the screen, though as the photos show it is prone to glare, especially in bright scenarios.

Disappointingly there is only wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with no wireless versions offered. You need to plug your phone in with a USB-A cable in a slot under the split-fold centre armrest.

While this means your phone will reliably charge, rather than having your phone overheat on a wireless charger, there’s no nice spot to put your phone given the physical handbrake takes up so much valuable centre armrest space.

You can put your phone in one of the cupholder spots, but when you do you don’t get a centre armrest. It’s too compromised for my liking.

While I’m on the topic of storage, there isn’t a great deal of it. There’s a small glove box and if you want, you can technically use the backseat area as they’re way too compromised for adults to fit into.

The rear seats are so small I didn’t even bother trying to fit as in my default driving position there is zero legroom. Even kids would struggle.

In terms of boot space, there is 201L available with the rear seats upright. It’s a fine space, though it’s impeded by the full-size spare wheel poking above the load floor. As a result you need to pack around the wheel.

Folding the rear seats makes the boot space more usable, though the envelope to slot things into the boot is narrow.

While the full-size spare wheel impedes the boot area, I’m glad it’s there because it’s much more usable than a dinky space-saver spare wheel or nothing at all. It gives you peace of mind in the event you have a puncture in the middle of nowhere.

The 2026 Subaru BRZ line-up starts at $47,890, before on-road costs, for the entry-level model regardless of whether you opt for the manual or automatic.

On test here, however, is the flagship tS trim which starts from $52,790, before on-roads. That's $4100 more expensive than it was when it first launched in 2024.

It’s worth noting this is overlooking the limited-edition tS Kiiro ($53,590, before on-roads) with its bright yellow paint.

As a base, the BRZ comes with a solid amount of kit. This includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, power-folding side mirrors, an 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus dual-zone climate control.

One of the few things missing is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is becoming commonplace in many cars and while it can be a hassle to plug into a USB port, it also means your phone will reliably charge.

You need to step up to the S trim if you want features like leather-accented upholstery and heated front seats. The top-spec tS in particular gains STI-tuned suspension, Brembo front and rear brakes, black door mirror covers and tS badging.

Adding to this, our particular tester comes equipped with a wealth of optional accessories. These include an STI body kit, STI alloy wheels and an STI carbon boot spoiler, totalling just over $14,500 fitted… Goodness me. For reference, the carbon rear wing is almost half of that.

Altogether, this kitted-up BRZ tS tester costs around $67,300, before on-road costs. While this is much more than the top-spec Toyota GR86 and Mazda MX-5, it’s still less than an entry-level Ford Mustang Ecoboost or BMW 2 Series.

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.

Power continues to come from a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated flat-four petrol engine producing 174kW and 250Nm.

This is mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission. Our tester is equipped with the former. Both feature a limited-slip rear differential.

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.

Subaru claims the BRZ manual consumes an average of 9.5L/100km on the (ADR 81/02) combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle.

We almost matched this during our largely urban-based testing, achieving an average of 9.7L/100km. There’s a 50L fuel tank which means there’s a total theoretical range of 515km using our as-tested fuel consumption.

A minimum of 98 RON premium unleaded petrol is required which isn’t uncommon for sports cars, but it still hurts your hip pocket nerve.

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.

This is where the BRZ has always excelled and this kitted-out tS manual is no exception.

Firing up with a cold engine, you’re immediately aware this is powered by a horizontally-opposed 'boxer' engine. It has that classic high idle that eventually simmers down once the engine has warmed up a bit.

Setting off you need to acquaint yourself with how this manual gearbox works. Every manual is a little different, however this BRZ is easy to pick up and understand quickly.

I particularly like the notchy and direct gear throw. It makes changing gears easy, fun and engaging.

If I am to be critical, the clutch bite point is a little high and there is a touch too much rev hang when changing gears, especially in the ‘Sport’ drive mode, but you get used to it eventually.

In everyday driving scenarios there is enough power available. Some more wouldn’t go astray due to the lack of a turbocharger, but this constraint makes the car more fun to drive as you have to work harder with the gears.

Speaking of, the gearing is short, which means you will be shifting gears quickly. At 60km/h, for example, the car can be driven around in sixth gear, which is clearly focused on maximising efficiency.

Once you’ve reached your set speed there’s enough torque to maintain it without having to dive back through the gears. This is nice because you don’t have to shuffle through the gears to keep up with traffic.

Out on the open road is where the BRZ comes into its own. The steering in particular highlights how balanced and poised the car feels. It’s so fun to chuck around on twisty bends and feel the weight transfer.

The STI-tuned suspension in this particular trim also highlights how sporty and dialled-in this car is. It can feel a little rough and taut on pimpled urban roads, though you need to remind yourself this is a sports car, not a comfort-oriented SUV.

In a similar vein, at higher speeds there is a lot of road and tyre noise that transfers into the cabin. This is made worse when the rear seats are folded. While more sound insulation would likely fix this, I like it being left out in the name of lighter weight (kerb weight is only 1.3 tonnes).

The current-generation Subaru BRZ hasn’t been crash-tested by ANCAP and is therefore unrated.

In 2025, the manual BRZ joined the auto version when it gained Subaru’s 'EyeSight' camera system, which brings autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning and even adaptive cruise control. It’s rare for manual-equipped vehicles to feature the latter.

This is above and beyond the seven airbags, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane change assist, reverse camera and tyre pressure monitoring.

It’s worth noting manual versions of the BRZ do not have any parking sensors, front or rear, as standard. Automatic versions gain rear parking sensors and a rear AEB system.

There are two ISOFIX anchors and two top-tether points for child seats in the second row, though space is rather limited.

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.

Subaru BRZ owners are covered by a five-year, 100,000km warranty which is now commonplace in the mainstream segment. Many carmakers are now extending their coverage out to seven years and beyond.

Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. The first five services cost a total of $2595.51, which averages out to around $519 per service. For the performance car space this isn’t cheap but not as exorbitant as more premium offerings.

Subaru has a total of 128 dealers around Australia, with a spread across metro, rural and regional areas.