One could argue the 2026 Lexus RX 450h+ is not the most ostentatious luxury SUV in its class, but it is certainly among the more sensible. While some automakers are in a hurry to go fully electric, Lexus has taken a steadier hand with the RX plug-in hybrid. It offers sufficient electric range for the day-to-day while leaving a gas engine in reserve for when you put on the miles. What you get is an SUV that is as refined and practical as it is easy to live with, even if it has no pretensions of being the sportiest thing on the road.
There is a certain appeal to that balance. The plug-in RX comes with 38 miles of electric range, plenty to see you through a city commute without burning any fuel. Have a charger at home and you can run the RX 450h+ like an EV all week, plugging it in at night to start each morning with a full battery. Yet you don’t have to structure your life around finding a charging station once the battery is empty as you would with a pure electric. When the time comes, the gas engine is there to take over, offering a pragmatic solution for those who want electrified motoring sans the range anxiety.
Under the hood is a plug-in hybrid powertrain centred on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that puts out a combined 304 horsepower. That translates to some brisk acceleration; Lexus says the RX 450h+ will do 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds. In traffic, the electric motors give the SUV an effortless quality, pulling away from lights in a smooth and quiet fashion. There is a calmness to the driving experience so long as the battery has charge.
Ask for full power, however, and the gas engine makes itself known. Put the RX 450h+ through its paces and the 2.5-liter can be a touch coarse in comparison to the rest of the vehicle’s serenity. It is hardly a dealbreaker, but it does serve as a reminder that this Lexus is meant to be driven with a light hand. The RX 450h+ will move quickly if you need it to, but it won’t be luring you down back roads like some of its more performance-oriented rivals.
After all, this is a comfortable luxury SUV first. The ride is composed and smooth, one of the model’s best features. You can count on it to absorb expansion joints and rougher city streets with the polish one expects from the brand. The cabin is hushed, particularly in electric mode, which is no small part of why the RX has been such a popular nameplate in America.
Step inside the 2026 Lexus RX 450h+ and you are met with an upscale, roomy environment. It is luxurious in a way that doesn’t try too hard, with well made materials and seats that offer good support. There is an easygoing comfort here for a solo drive or a weekend with the family. The 14.0-inch touchscreen is large and crisp, and its integration into the dash gives the interior a modern edge over the more convoluted infotainment setups of yesteryear, putting the RX on par with competitors who are all about the digital display.
Out on the road the RX 450h+ is predictable and unflappable. Don’t expect the sharpest steering or handling because this isn’t an SUV that wants to be driven hard. It is better at rewarding a measured approach with efficiency and refinement.
In the end, the RX 450h+ is defined by how well it slots into your routine. The electric range is of real use and the gas side of things puts long distance travel in perspective. Yes, the four-cylinder could be more polished under heavy throttle and it may not be the most thrilling plug-in to put behind the wheel, but the overall package is too well put together for these minor quibbles to matter.
Pricing for the 2026 Lexus RX 450h+ starts at $66,780.
For those in the market for a midsize luxury SUV with a smooth ride and the option of a gas engine, the 2026 Lexus RX 450h+ is a strong contender. It might not be soul-stirring, but it will make the daily grind quieter and more efficient, and for many, that is what counts.
