The fifth-generation Lexus RX is sold with three electrified powertrains, and they are not the same kind of hybrid. The RX 350h is a self-charging full hybrid (HEV) with a 2.5 litre four-cylinder engine and a system output of 184 kW (250 PS / 247 hp) in Europe. The RX 450h+ is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV): same engine family, a 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, 227 kW (309 PS / 305 hp) and up to 67 km (about 42 miles) of electric driving on the WLTP cycle according to Lexus UK. The RX 500h is a turbocharged full hybrid (HEV, not a plug-in) with 273 kW (371 PS / 366 hp), a 2.4 litre engine and the Direct4 all-wheel-drive system.
All three share one body, 4,890 mm long on a 2,850 mm wheelbase, and all three are all-wheel drive. Lexus USA's price sheet for the 2027 model year, dated 18 September 2026, starts the RX 350h Premium AWD at $57,750 including delivery, the 450h+ at $66,880 and the 500h F SPORT Performance at $68,950. Lexus UK lists the 350h and 450h+ at GBP 62,830 and GBP 64,905 (price list of 1 October 2026) and the 500h at GBP 78,670 (list of 1 June 2026), and in Israel the range runs from NIS 414,990 on Lexus Israel's own page to about NIS 575,990 according to auto.co.il. Power figures below use PS or kW as the source did, always followed by hp, and every number is labelled HEV or PHEV so the plug-in is never confused with the self-charging cars.
Performance & Specs
The three powertrains split into two families. The RX 350h (HEV) pairs a 2.5 litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder with a front and a rear electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery. Lexus Europe quotes 184 kW (250 PS / 247 hp), 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds on the UK specification and a top speed of 124 mph (about 200 km/h). Lexus USA rates the same car at 246 hp, which is the SAE net figure, and quotes EPA fuel economy of 37 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 36 mpg combined.
The RX 450h+ (PHEV) uses the same 2.5 litre engine family with a plug-in battery and a higher system output. Lexus Europe gives 227 kW (309 PS / 305 hp) and 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, while Lexus USA lists 304 hp. The 450h+ is the quickest of the two 2.5 litre cars and the only one that can run for tens of kilometres without starting the engine. Because the engine also acts as a generator, the car keeps working as a self-charging hybrid once the plug-in battery is empty rather than falling back to a petrol-only mode.
The RX 500h (HEV) is the performance version. A turbocharged 2.4 litre engine delivers 200 kW (272 PS) on its own, and with the front and rear motors the system produces 273 kW (371 PS / 366 hp). Lexus calculates a system torque of about 551 Nm (406 lb-ft in the US) equivalent to a petrol-only engine of similar output. It is the only RX with a six-speed automatic and the Direct4 all-wheel-drive system. Lexus UK quotes 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and 130 mph (about 210 km/h); Lexus USA quotes 366 hp. Combined WLTP fuel consumption is 34.0-35.3 mpg (UK), about 8.0-8.3 l/100 km, with CO2 of 182-189 g/km.
| RX 350h (HEV) | 2.5 L four-cylinder, 184 kW (250 PS / 247 hp), AWD |
|---|---|
| RX 450h+ (PHEV) | 2.5 L four-cylinder, 227 kW (309 PS / 305 hp), 18.1 kWh, AWD |
| RX 500h (HEV) | 2.4 L turbo, 273 kW (371 PS / 366 hp), Direct4 AWD |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.9 s / 6.5 s / 6.2 s |
| Top speed | about 200 / 200 / 210 km/h |
| EV range | 450h+ only: up to 67 km (WLTP) |
| POWERTRAIN TYPE | 350h: full hybrid (HEV); 450h+: plug-in hybrid (PHEV); 500h: turbo full hybrid (HEV) |
|---|---|
| HORSEPOWER | 350h 184 kW (250 PS / 247 hp); 450h+ 227 kW (309 PS / 305 hp); 500h 273 kW (371 PS / 366 hp) (Lexus Europe). US: 246 / 304 / 366 hp |
| ACCELERATION | 0-100 km/h: 7.9 s (350h), 6.5 s (450h+), 6.2 s (500h) |
| TOP SPEED | 124 mph (about 200 km/h) on 350h and 450h+; 130 mph (about 210 km/h) on 500h |
| DRIVETRAIN | AWD: E-Four (350h, 450h+), Direct4 (500h) |
| BATTERY | 450h+ 18.1 kWh lithium-ion; 350h nickel-metal hydride (capacity not published) |
| ELECTRIC RANGE | 450h+ only: up to 67 km WLTP (Lexus UK); 38 miles EPA estimate (Lexus USA) |
| FUEL ECONOMY | WLTP combined 42.8-44.8 mpg UK (350h); 34.0-35.3 mpg UK (500h). EPA combined 36 mpg (350h), 27 mpg (500h) |
Charging & Battery
Only the RX 450h+ has a plug. Its 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery sits entirely under the floor, which keeps the centre of gravity low and protects cabin and load space. Lexus Europe's 2022 launch release quoted 24 g/km of CO2, 1.1 l/100 km and up to 69 km of electric range on the combined WLTP cycle. Lexus UK's current model page quotes a WLTP equivalent all-electric range of up to 42 miles (about 67 km), and the Israeli importer quotes roughly 67 km. Lexus USA gives a 38-mile (about 61 km) EPA-estimated electric range, a different test cycle that is not directly comparable with WLTP.
The on-board charger is rated at 6.6 kW, and Lexus says a full charge takes around two and a half hours from a 32 A station. The driver can choose EV mode, which keeps the car electric until the battery is depleted, Auto EV/HV, which lets the engine join in during hard acceleration, or HV mode, which holds the battery charge. The RX 350h and RX 500h have no charging port: their small hybrid batteries are filled by the engine and by braking, so they run like conventional automatics from the owner's point of view.
| BATTERY | 450h+ (PHEV): 18.1 kWh lithium-ion |
|---|---|
| AC CHARGING | 6.6 kW on-board charger, about 2.5 h on 32 A (450h+) |
| DC FAST CHARGING | Not listed in the Lexus sources used |
| EV RANGE | Up to 67 km WLTP (Europe); 38 miles EPA est. (US) |
Dimensions & Practicality
| Length | 4,890 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,920 mm (without mirrors) |
| Height | 1,695 mm (Europe) |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm |
| Ground clearance | 182-183 mm (Europe) |
All three RX hybrids share the same body, so the dimensions do not change between powertrains: 4,890 mm long, 1,920 mm wide without mirrors and 2,850 mm between the axles. Lexus USA quotes a height of 67.3 inches (about 1,710 mm) against 1,695 mm in the European data, which reflects different roof and tyre fitments, so treat the height as market-specific. The RX seats five, with 1,012 mm between the front and rear seat hip points.
Lexus UK lists 461 litres of luggage space with the rear seats up (VDA, loaded to the tonneau cover) and 612 litres loaded to the roof. Lexus USA gives the American SAE measurement: 29.59 cubic feet (about 838 litres) behind the rear seats and 46.19 cubic feet (about 1,308 litres) with them folded, identical across the 350h, 450h+ and 500h. The US figure uses a different method from the VDA number, so the two should not be compared directly. Braked towing is 3,500 lb (about 1,588 kg) in the US on all three hybrids.
| LENGTH | 4,890 mm |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | 1,920 mm (without mirrors) |
| HEIGHT | 1,695 mm (Europe); about 1,710 mm (US) |
| WHEELBASE | 2,850 mm |
| CARGO VOLUME | 461 L VDA, seats up (Europe); 612 L to the roof; 29.6 cu ft SAE (US), 46.2 cu ft max |
| TOWING (BRAKED, US) | 3,500 lb (about 1,588 kg) |
Design & Interior
The RX keeps the large spindle grille and a wide, low stance, and the three hybrids are separated by wheels and trim rather than body panels. The 350h and 450h+ ride on 19-inch wheels with 235/60R19 tyres in the European specification, while the 500h comes with 21-inch wheels and 235/50R21 tyres in the F SPORT grade. Inside, the press photos show a wide dashboard with a large central touchscreen, a wood-trimmed centre console and light leather seating in the 350h shown. Lexus describes the cabin craftsmanship under its Takumi grade, which is the top grade for the 350h and 450h+ in the UK price list.
Technology & Features
Equipment depends heavily on the market and the grade. Since the 2026 model year Lexus USA has made wireless phone charging standard on every RX and added a Premium grade to the 450h+ line, and it lets the F SPORT Handling and F SPORT Performance grades take the Appearance Package. The US range now spans Standard, Premium, Premium+, Luxury and three F SPORT grades, while the UK list is organised around Premium, Premium Plus, F SPORT Design and Takumi. The sources used for this article do not publish a full driver-assistance specification per market, so that detail is best checked against the local configurator before ordering.
Available Versions
| VERSION | POWER | TORQUE | 0-100 | TOP SPEED | DRIVETRAIN | BATTERY | EV RANGE | PRICE | KEY DIFFERENCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 350h Premium AWD (HEV) | 247 hp | — | 7.9s | 200 km/h | AWD | Nickel-metal hydride | — | $57,750 | Self-charging full hybrid, 184 kW (250 PS); US rating 246 hp; price is 2027 MY MSRP plus delivery |
| RX 450h+ Premium AWD (PHEV) | 305 hp | — | 6.5s | 200 km/h | AWD | 18.1 kWh | Up to 67 km WLTP | $66,880 | Plug-in hybrid, 227 kW (309 PS); US rating 304 hp and 38 miles EPA est.; 6.6 kW AC charging |
| RX 500h F SPORT Performance AWD (HEV) | 366 hp | 551 Nm | 6.2s | 210 km/h | AWD | — | — | $68,950 | Turbo full hybrid (not a plug-in), 273 kW (371 PS), six-speed automatic, Direct4; torque is a calculated system equivalent |
Pricing & Availability
In the United States Lexus lists the 2027 model year RX (price sheet dated 18 September 2026, MSRP plus a $1,550 delivery, processing and handling charge): RX 350h Premium AWD $57,750, Premium+ AWD $61,240, Luxury AWD $66,295 and F SPORT Design AWD $60,080; RX 450h+ Premium AWD $66,880 and Luxury AWD $73,510; and RX 500h F SPORT Performance AWD $68,950. Before delivery charges the entry prices are $56,200, $65,330 and $67,400. The plug-in therefore costs $9,130 more than the entry 350h, and the 500h costs $11,200 more.
In the United Kingdom the Lexus price list effective from 1 October 2026 shows list prices of GBP 62,830 for the RX 350h Premium and GBP 64,905 for the RX 450h+ Premium. The RX 500h F SPORT is not on that list; its last published price, in the list effective from 1 June 2026, is GBP 78,670, marked as build to order with an extended lead time. The UK gap between the 350h and the plug-in is only GBP 2,075, much narrower than the US gap, and the 500h costs GBP 15,840 more than the 350h. UK list prices include VAT, delivery and number plates but exclude road tax and the first registration fee.
In Israel auto.co.il lists the 2026 range through the importer Lex Motors (Union group), which markets the brand as Lexus Israel: the RX 350h Kyushu at NIS 409,990 (Lexus Israel's own page says from NIS 414,990) and Hadori at NIS 439,990, the RX 450h+ Takumi at NIS 539,990 (the plug-in's Hadori grade is NIS 494,990 per iCar), and the RX 500h F-Sport at NIS 575,990. At the ECB rate of 3.048 shekels per dollar on 6 October 2026, the Israeli range is roughly $136,100 to $190,000, which reflects the country's vehicle taxes. The Israeli launch in December 2022 priced the same RX 350h Kyushu at NIS 399,990 and the 500h F-Sport at NIS 549,990.
How It Compares
The most useful comparison for an RX buyer is inside the Lexus family. The RZ is the battery-electric alternative: it is more powerful at up to 402 hp (RZ 500e) and starts well below the RX 450h+ in the US (RZ 350e from $47,395 on the 2026 model year), but it has to be charged, while the RX 450h+ needs a plug only if the owner wants the roughly 67 km of electric running. The updated NX 450h+ is the smaller plug-in with 303 hp in Europe and more than 100 km of provisional WLTP electric range, which already beats the RX 450h+ on paper; its price has not been announced. The RX answers with a larger body and a family of three hybrid choices, including the 371 PS turbo 500h that the smaller NX does not offer.
- Three clearly different powertrains on one body: 350h HEV for running costs, 450h+ PHEV for electric commuting, 500h HEV for performance
- The 450h+ falls back to normal hybrid operation once the battery is empty, so a plug is optional
- The 500h reaches 0-100 km/h in 6.2 s with 371 PS (366 hp) without needing a charger
- The 450h+ electric range of up to 67 km WLTP is modest next to newer plug-ins, and there is no DC fast charging listed in the Lexus sources used
- The 500h has no plug-in capability and a combined WLTP consumption of only 34.0-35.3 mpg (UK), about 8.0-8.3 l/100 km
The RX is easiest to buy when you decide which of the three it really is. The 350h is the sensible full hybrid, the 450h+ is the plug-in for owners who can charge at home and want up to 67 km of electric driving, and the 500h is the fast one at 371 PS. In the UK the plug-in costs only GBP 2,075 more than the 350h, which makes it the obvious pick there; in the US the premium is $9,130, so the case depends on how much of your driving fits into the roughly 61 km (38 mile) EPA range. Check each market's own configurator, because power ratings, ranges and prices differ between Europe, the US and Israel.
