2025 Lexus RX Hybrid Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
Lexus now offers more hybrid engine options than non-hybrid for the RX. The latest generation of this luxury midsize SUV arrived for 2023, available with several electrified powertrains in addition to the basic turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine. With these, the Lexus RX Hybrid can be equipped for great fuel efficiency, enthusiastic performance, or even all-electric driving range. Rivals to the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid include the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, Cadillac Lyriq, and Lincoln Nautilus.
What’s New
- An upgraded digital gauge display becomes standard
- F Sport Design trim introduced for RX350h
- Black Line Special Edition offered for RX500h with new Incognito paint
What We Think
If you’re going to get a Lexus RX, hybrid is the way to go. Pricing is similar between the gas-only RX350 and hybrid RX350h, allowing you to save more money on fuel over the course of your ownership. Although the RX350h engine isn’t quite as smooth or quiet, given how smooth and quiet the overall driving experience is, that’s hardly a detractor. The motor’s instant electric torque benefits drivability.
Although the RX450h+ plug-in hybrid delivers useful all-electric driving range and punchy acceleration, its high price point somewhat diminishes the value appeal. Meanwhile, the RX500h F Sport Performance comes up a little short on fun from behind the wheel.
Regardless of what’s under the hood, the RX Hybrid has plenty of standard features including useful driver assist tech and a reconfigurable gauge cluster display. Lexus’ infotainment setup is mostly user friendly, but the unlabeled steering-wheel buttons aren’t so intuitive. Overall, though, the RX Hybrid makes for a relaxing and uncomplicated way to reduce your gas station visits.
RX350h vs. RX450h+ vs. RX500h: What’s the Difference?
Lexus offers three hybrid powertrains in the RX. Compared to the basic turbocharged I-4 engine, those hybrid choices have similar or better performance and improved fuel efficiency, along with standard AWD.
In the RX350h, a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder combines with two electric motors to produce a total of 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy will measure at approximately 37/34 mpg city/highway, and 0–60 acceleration comes in at 7.4 seconds.
The RX450+ is a plug-in hybrid with all-electric driving range. It also uses a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, but the addition of dual electric motors increases total output to 304 hp. With that added power, acceleration to 60 mph takes 5.8 seconds, making it the quickest (barely) option in the 2025 RX lineup. It also provides up to 37 miles of EV range and combined fuel economy of 83 mpg-e.
The RX500h F Sport Performance is tuned for a sporty feel. It uses the turbocharged 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder as its engine but combines that with two electric motors for total output of 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Instead of a CVT automatic like its counterparts, the RX500h uses a six-speed automatic for a more connected driving experience. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes 5.9 seconds, and fuel economy rates at about 27/28 mpg city/highway.
All-Electric Lexus RX?
Not quite. The RX450h+ is a plug-in hybrid that can provide about 37 miles of EV range, but it’s not a fully electric SUV. However, Lexus builds the RZ, an all-electric SUV that’s similar in size and price to the RX Hybrid. The Lexus RZ has about 200 miles of EV range.
Safety Ratings and Features
Every 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid comes equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of driver assist and active safety features. This includes automatic emergency braking, emergency evasive steering assist, intersection collision avoidance, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, and more. An automated parallel parking assist system is optional.
For 2025, the Lexus RX Hybrid earns a five-star overall score from NHTSA. Although the RX Hybrid earned IIHS 2024 Top Safety Pick status, for 2025 it loses that accolade due to updated crash testing standards.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Interior capacity of the RX Hybrid is identical to that of the standard RX. Some rivals to the RX Hybrid are considerably more spacious inside.
Technology
For 2025, the RX Hybrid gains a standard 12.3-inch reconfigurable digital gauge cluster, a welcome improvement from the previous 7.0-inch unit. The standard 9.8-inch and available 14.0-inch infotainment touchscreens carry over, both with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are USB ports in both rows of seats and a wireless charging pad on most trim levels. A 12-speaker audio system is standard, and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium arrangement is available. Other tech options on the RX Hybrid include a digital rearview mirror, head-up display, phone-as-key functionality, and multicolor interior ambient lighting.
New 2025 Lexus RX Black Line Special Edition
For 2025, Lexus applies its Black Line Special Edition treatment to the RX500h. This dark-themed aesthetics package brings blacked-out trim and 21-inch wheels to the exterior, along with exclusive Incognito gray paint and bright orange brake calipers. Although features and equipment are shared with the standard RX500h, the Black Line Special Edition model has gray interior accent stitching. Only 500 copies will be produced at a starting price of $68,650, or $2,500 more than the standard equivalent.
RX Hybrid F Sport Trim Levels
In addition to the Standard, Premium, and Premium+ trims, Lexus offers the RX Hybrid in performance-inspired F Sport specification. The RX350h F Sport Handling gets hardware upgrades including adaptive suspension dampers and larger front brakes.
The RX500 F Sport Performance also has those upgrades along with a rear-wheel steering system, but its turbocharged hybrid powertrain is its most notable change.
The RX350h F Sport Design is a new choice for 2025. It has none of the other F Sport models’ performance upgrades, but shares their more aggressive-looking design details, larger wheels, and more eye-catching paint color choices.
