The 2025 Lexus RX Is Subtle Luxury Done Right: Review

Lexus occupies an interesting space in the luxury car market. It doesn’t have the same prestige as the German brands, thanks mostly to its Toyota origins. But those same origins make Lexus uniquely appealing to a certain type of buyer, one that prioritizes straightforward functionality and reliability over outright performance or cutting-edge tech. The Lexus RX perfectly encapsulates those ideals.

The Lexus RX is essentially an elevated RAV4, for better or worse. It rides on the same platform, and in our plug-in hybrid tester, it uses the same drivetrain found in the RAV4 plug-in, albeit with 304 horsepower instead of 302. That means you get all the dependability of America’s most popular crossover, wrapped up in a prettier silhouette.

Those improvements come at a price. The cheapest RX plug-in hybrid is nearly $20,000 more expensive than the cheapest RAV4 plug-in. But the money goes to the right places. So long as you avoid the F Sport trims, the RX rides beautifully, gliding over most surfaces without ever disrupting the cabin space. 

The interior itself is well-dressed, geared toward practicality over pure design. It’s not as aesthetically pleasing as a new BMW or Mercedes-Benz, simply because there are more buttons and less screen space. But I prefer it this way. Having real buttons for important functions is far better than having to take your eyes off the road and dig through a touchscreen. 

Sadly, most of the climate controls have moved to the bottom of the 14.0-inch infotainment screen, but there are still real knobs for temperature and volume. The steering wheel controls are also real buttons, thankfully, though the two D-pads on either side are unlabeled. Resting your finger on either awakens a function on the head-up display, which gives you a little map for each button. Why Lexus couldn’t just label the buttons, we’re not sure. But at least they exist.

Pros: Sleek Looks, Plush Interior, Smooth Ride

The rest of the cabin is flawless. The driver’s seat is highly adjustable, which means people of all body types will have no trouble finding their ideal position. The digital gauge cluster is easy to read and provides all the info you’d want, including the EV-only range for our plug-in hybrid tester. 

The steering is smooth and light, as are the brake and throttle pedals. There’s enough room to sit adults in the back seat and still a healthy amount of luggage space. It’s an entirely agreeable experience, through and through. Not exciting, but I don’t expect it to be. If you want driving excitement in your crossover, buy a BMW. Or, better yet, don’t buy a crossover at all.

While the RX is a pleasant thing, the plug-in powertrain leaves a bit to be desired. It’s quick enough, with a strong belt of torque off the line thanks to the three electric motors. Lexus doesn’t quote a 0-60 time, though we suspect a sprint in the mid-six-second range—perfectly reasonable for this segment. But the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four is loud and buzzy, its noises protruding into the cabin every time you get going. It’s the least luxurious thing about this car, and even after a week of driving I found it hard to ignore.

Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Cons: Buzzy & Unluxurious Powertrain, One Too Many On-Screen Controls

Some people might not mind the noise, especially if they’re light on the throttle and keep the revs low. The system does a good job of delivering the right power when you ask for it, and it keeps the engine relaxed when you’re cruising down the highway at speed. But I’m the type to get to the speed limit as quickly as possible, which means a lot of undesirable noise at a constant rpm until I get there.

The RX450h+ was undeniably great on gas during our test. There’s an 18.1-kilowatt-hour battery pack tucked into the cabin, allowing for up to 35 miles of all-electric range—plenty for your average commute to work. Even after depleting the battery, we managed to get 33 mpg driving on hybrid power. That’s pretty good for a well-sized SUV with a bunch of luxury equipment onboard.

If you have access to at-home charging, this plug-in trim and its all-electric range are tempting. But it’s also prohibitively expensive. The RS450h+ is the priciest RX hybrid you can buy, starting at $72,610 including destination. That’s over $20,000 more than the cheapest RX hybrid, the RX350h. That car gets the same powertrain, minus the onboard battery (and with it, any EV-only range). It’s about 50 horsepower down, but value-wise, it’s far more appealing. 

Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

The base RX hybrid is also a better representation of the RX’s overall ethos. As a brand, Lexus has never been about having the newest tech or the best handling. Instead, it sticks to its utilitarian roots, delivering dependable, useful, efficient transportation, all in a pleasant package you wouldn’t mind spending hours in. In the mid-$50,000 range, this car makes sense. But at 70 grand, it’s tough not to consider something with more space and capability, like the excellent GX.

The RX does everything well without having to rely on gimmicks. Sure, you can go for the plug-in hybrid, but being so costly, we don’t see the point, save for very specific situations. Stick with the base car, and you’ll be satisfied.

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Brian Silvestro / Motor1