With a sufficient electric driving range for commuting and the safety of an internal combustion engine (ICE) when the battery runs out, plug-in hybrids are a step towards full electrification for those who aren’t ready to embrace electric cars. Recognising this and in line with Toyota’s multi pathway move towards efficient mobility, Lexus has introduced the RX 450h+.
According to Lexus, the RX 450h+ has a combined fuel economy rating of 35 km/l and 56 km of all-electric driving range.
It is propelled by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and features a 6.6-kilowatt onboard charger which, according to Lexus, can completely charge the RX 450h+ in around 2.5 hours at 240 volts. In a media release, Lexus didn’t specify how much power it produces in the RX, but the NX’s I4 engine, electric motors controlling the rear wheels, and a 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack work together to provide 304hp in total.
If it’s not luxurious, it’s not Lexus, so the RX 450h+ is standard in the Luxury trim level, which is higher than the rest of the RX series. It has a panoramic moonroof, semi-aniline perforated leather interior, heated and ventilated seats, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, a 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display, and navigation that can anticipate a loss of signal and download maps in advance. It also rides on 21-inch wheels.
Eight different exterior colour options are available for the RX 450h+: Eminent White Pearl, Cloudburst Grey, Iridium, Caviar, Matador Red Mica, Copper Crest, Nori Green Pearl, and Nightfall Mica.
The RX 450h+ is equipped as standard with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. This safety package includes lane departure steering assistance, adaptive cruise control, frontal collision warning, automated emergency braking, and pedestrian recognition.
With a starting price of $70,080 (RM318,443), the 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ is expected to go on sale in late 2023.
In May, we saw the launch of the RX 350 for the Malaysian market and with its first ‘Eco-Friendly’ showroom launched in Klang. The RX 450h+ will most likely be introduced in Malaysia as well, but don’t expect it to be cheap.
Gallery of Lexus RX 350 currently available in Malaysia:
