Building on the recent all-new redesign of this crossover, the new 2024 RX 450h+ plug-in variant forms the very top tier of the line-up, sharing the spotlight with its more conventional hybrid sibling in the guise of the RX 500h F Sport. Occupying the lower rungs on this premium SUV ladder are the RX 350h (also a hybrid) and the turbocharged, petrol-powered twins – the RX 350 and RX 350 F Sport.

What’s new?

It is a plug-in hybrid and Lexus claims that driven carefully by maximising the range permissible on a single full charge, the new Lexus RX 450h+ should be viewed as a bona fide electric SUV. For example, if you have the ability to plug in overnight, you’ll find that most of your daily commute can be dispatched in complete electric silence.

Exterior:

Based on the new RX, the 450h+ boasts the same characteristic ‘Orca killer whale’ profile courtesy of its spindle body design and seamless grille, which project a clean athletic presence. The low centre of gravity is accentuated by standard 21-inch 20-spoke alloy wheels with a dark premium metallic finish.

Interior:

Some details worth mentioning that incidentally apply across the board, include a panoramic roof, an LED Adaptive High-Beam System (AHS); side mirrors with auto-retractable, electro-chromatic, memory, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Heated, Camera and reverse-linked tilt-enabled functionality as well as privacy back glass offering total UV protection.

Drivetrain:

Powered by a high-capacity lithium-ion battery powering dual electric motors paired with a 2.5-litre inline 4-cylinder engine and an e-CVT transmission, the 2024 RX 450h+ has a combined system output of 227 kW.

Working on the premise of 75% to 80% of your driving being conducted in electric mode, results in staggeringly low fuel consumption – a figure of 1.3 litres per 100 km is entirely achievable in the combined cycle. The RX 450h+ has an estimated 66.5 km driving range rating on electric power only.

What sets the RX 450h+ apart from its competitors is what happens when the charge in the hybrid battery is depleted. In the RX, the vehicle switches seamlessly to hybrid electric performance so that the battery is recharged.

EV is the default mode: the car is locked into electric, running until the energy in the battery is depleted. That’s regardless of how hard the accelerator pedal is used.

Auto EV/HV mode allows the hybrid engine to be brought into play temporarily when the driver wants more power, for example when bursts of acceleration are required, reducing the draw on the battery’s charge.

The driver can also opt to use HV mode, which keeps the battery’s level of charge constant by starting and stopping the engine when necessary, without requiring any driver intervention.

Price:

Lexus RX 450h+ retails for R1 629 300.