2017 Lexus Rx 450H Pros vs Cons
What's New for 2017?
Each 2017 Lexus RX 450H comes standard with lane keeping assurance, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic high-beams. Also, the RX 450H now has a front-wheel drive option for its F Sport version, which is the recommended model to buy for this year.
Ten Reasons You May Like the 2017 Lexus Rx 450H – The Pros
1. Gorgeously-designed Cabin
Lexus spares no expense when it comes to high-quality, luxurious interior space. The materials used in the 2017 Lexus RX 450H all look expensive and look like they were meticulously crafted.
2. Fuel Efficiency
The 2017 Lexus RX 450H gets about 23 combined mpg (20 city/27 highway mpg) on its base engine. The F Sport AWD gets a much better 30 combined mpg (31 city/28 highway mpg), making it the best option in the line-up if fuel efficiency is one of the biggest factors for you when buying.
3. Quiet Ride
The 450H gives an extremely quiet ride. The high-power V6 engine doesn't do much revving, so you won't get a lot of vibration and noise coming from the engine compartment. Since the car is made of quality materials, relatively little road noise enters the well-insulated cabin while driving, even at highway speeds.
4. Handling Abilities with F Sport
The F Sport handles like a champ. The F Sport has Sport mode, which provides an extra degree of handling ability on difficult roads. Handling feels totally natural and comfortable on the F Sport and is also relatively good on the base trim.
5. Standard Equipment is Luxurious
The 2017 Lexus RX 450H is one of the most luxury-packed hybrids you can find. It even boasts an array of standard equipment not always seen as standard on other luxury vehicles. Standard equipment on the base are lane departure warning and mitigation, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated power front seats, and chic leather upholstery. Also, the rear seat folds, reclines, and slides.
6. Good Stand-alone Options
In addition to standard features, there are many good stand-alone options, including a power liftgate, an impressive 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, and a panoramic sunroof.
7. Acceleration
Although it takes 7.2 seconds to get from 0 to 60 on the 450H's 3.5-L V6 engine, this is faster than the Lexus 350 and is fairly decent overall. The acceleration itself seems pretty flawless, and it's easy to transition from low to high speeds.
8. Logical Controls
The controls on the dash all seem pretty common-sense. While the touchscreen's interface is its own entity and is problematic, the rest of the controls are easy to use. They're all clearly marked and placed in spots that make it easy for a driver to reach.
9. Plenty of Space
There is plenty of room up front for most adult drivers, although very tall individuals might feel a little cramped. There is also a good amount of head and shoulder room in the back, but taller folks will be slightly crammed if they're stuck behind a taller driver.
10. Clear Visibility
Drivers will find that they have excellent visibility from all perspectives in the 2017 Lexus RX 450H. Even the blindspot is minimal. The standard backup camera helps with rear viewing, which is already good with just the naked eye.
Reasons You May Not Like the 2017 Lexus Rx 450H – The Cons
1. Low Cargo Capacity
The biggest drawback is the lack of cargo capacity. Bulky items don't fit well due to the roof being slanted. You will likely have to put the back seats down if you're trying to load bigger items.
2. Distracting Tech Interface
The second biggest drawback is the distracting nature of the technological interface. Remote Touch is probably one of the least user-friendly interfaces available on the market. It is not at all intuitive and takes the driver's concentration off the road.
3. Not Much Small Item Storage
There is a noticeable lack of small item storage spaces in the 2017 Lexus RX 450H. If you chauffeur children around a lot, you know the value of small item storage. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough of it in the 450H.
4. Not the Best at Towing
Unless you get the Towing package, your 450H will struggle to tow. Also, these vehicles don't come with pre-installed hitches, so you will have to request that the dealership add one on for you.
How it stacks up to the competition:
RX 450H vs. 2017 BMW X3
The X3 tops the 450H in terms of cargo and passenger space, but it does not stack up in terms of its adaptive cruise control. Also, the rear-view camera is optional on the X3, whereas it comes standard on the 450H. The X3 has faster acceleration, but it gets about the same fuel economy.
RX 450H vs. 2017 Infiniti QX60
The QX60 is also a quiet ride capable of making smooth transitions, but it lacks the sporty edge the 450H has. The QX60's hybrid model gets about 25 city/27 highway mpg, so it compares well to the fuel efficiency of the 450H.
Conclusion
If you can handle the lack of cargo space and difficult-to-use Remote Touch interface, you will find a lot of luxury within the 2017 Lexus RX 450H. This crossover hybrid prices on the higher end of the scale but has a lot of features and performance abilities that make it worth its price tag.
