Lexus Australia has confirmed the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of its RX large SUV is set to arrive in April.
The 2025 Lexus RX450h+ will only be offered in the Sports Luxury trim level and is priced from $123,500 before on-road costs. This is $9900 more expensive than the RX350h Sports Luxury, and $4200 cheaper than the flagship RX500h F Sport Performance.
Powering this new-to-Australia RX PHEV variant is the same drivetrain as the smaller NX450h+, for which orders recently reopened. It has been offered in other markets, including the USA, for over a year.
It combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol and two electric motors (one on each axle). Total system power is 227kW, and Lexus claims it can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.5 seconds.
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There’s also a 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which can be AC charged at rates up to 7kW.
Lexus hasn’t disclosed how far the RX450h+ can travel on electric power alone, though it says it consumes 1.3L/100km according to lenient NEDC testing.
As with the RX350h Sports Luxury, the RX450h+ Sports Luxury features 10-way power front seats with memory; heated and ventilated front seats; heated outboard rear seats; a woodgrain-look instrument panel and steering wheel ornamentation; as well as power reclining and folding rear seats.
However it gains a panoramic sunroof, digital rear-view mirror, and semi-autonomous parking assist, which are optional on the RX350h Sports Luxury.
It’s offered with semi-aniline leather-accented upholstery in either black, Solis White or Dark Sepia.
With the introduction of this new PHEV variant, it’s expected the share of electrified RX sales will ramp up in 2025. Last year 80.7 per cent of RX sales were of the RX350h and RX500h F Sport Performance, with the rest being the turbo-petrol RX350.
In 2024 Lexus sold a total of 2075 RX models, making it the fourth best-selling luxury large SUV. It was behind the Land Rover Defender (3209 sales), BMW X5 (3157 sales), and Range Rover Sport (2206 sales).
“Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are a key step in the customer journey from standalone internal combustion engines to full-electric mobility,” said Lexus Australia CEO John Pappas.
“For many Lexus customers, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are the right powertrain for the moment, offering the best of both worlds as we continue to develop infrastructure to support a greater uptake of battery electric vehicles.”
2025 Lexus RX pricing:
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| Lexus RX350h Luxury | $90,350 |
| Lexus RX350h Luxury AWD | $93,700 |
| Lexus RX350 F Sport AWD | $100,950 |
| Lexus RX350 Sports Luxury AWD | $106,950 |
| Lexus RX350h Sports Luxury AWD | $113,600 |
| Lexus RX450h+ Sports Luxury AWD | $123,500 |
| Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance AWD | $127,700 |
MORE: Everything Lexus RX
