Redesigned RX 450h Tweaked in All the Right Spots

2010 Lexus RX 450h 2WD Premium Pkg

Test Drove 2/13/09 – 2/20/09
reviewed by Lori Hindman

Lexus redesigned its RX 450h for 2010, but you wouldn’t know it at first glance, as it maintains its familiar shape. Once I’d spent some time with the RX 450h, I realized there’s a multitude of minor changes and upgrades that make a huge difference in this hybrid crossover.

With 295 horsepower, the RX 450h (the “h” is for hybrid, naturally) is more powerful than its traditional gas-powered sibling, the RX 350 (275 hp). The RX 450h has a V-6 engine like the RX 350, but the hybrid’s engine is assisted by electric motor generators. The front-wheel-drive RX 450h gets an EPA-estimated 32/28 mpg city/highway; the rear-wheel-drive version gets 30/28 mpg. The RX 450h’s price wasn’t available as of publication; it’ll hit dealerships in midsummer.

I could have easily gotten into trouble driving this fun hybrid. The crossover handles like a sport sedan, with absolutely no roly-poly feeling, even on twisty mountain roads. It’s super quiet and an absolute joy to drive.

It also has a super-cool infotainment system that responds to voice commands and actual whining. I’m serious here, folks. Press a button to engage the microphone and let your kid whine, “I’m cold!” and the RX will bump the climate control up by two degrees. I tried it, and it works. You can also tell it “I want Japanese food,” and the navigation system will search for local restaurants. It’s like your own little butler. What’s not to love? Well, I didn’t love the RX 450h’s Remote Touch system, which uses a joystick-like controller for the navigation system.

I loved the RX 450h’s comfort, features and how well it fit my kids and all our stuff, but when it was time to return my test car, it was the drive that I really hated to let go of.

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