2021 Lexus RX 450h Review
Price Range: $40,998 - $46,998





+131
Average
7.6
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
Lexus has been in the hybrid-making business for quite some time, so it's no surprise it makes some of the best. The 2021 RX 450h's bold styling could be a polarizing point for buyers, but its combination of impressive attention to detail, interior appointments and practicality makes it an undoubtedly attractive proposition in the luxury SUV scene. Our only real reservation: It underperformed its EPA fuel economy estimates in our testing.
2021 Lexus RX 450h Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What's new
- Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert is now standard
- A wireless charging pad is now available
- Part of the fourth RX generation introduced for 2016
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lexus RX 450h 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $5.34 per gallon for premium unleaded in California.
Monthly estimates based on costs in California
$225/mo for RX 450h Base
RX 450h Base
vs
$255/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4.5 out of 5 stars4.5/5Excellent
#2 out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Lexus RX 450h from 2008-2022.$401/yr
vs. $602/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).0.78x/yr
vs. 1.09x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).7.2%
vs. 9.4%
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Lexus RX 450h Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(67%)
4(18%)
3(9%)
2(0%)
1(6%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
My Atomic Silver Ride!
5 out of 5 starsmarkh, 11/25/2019
2020 Lexus RX 450h F SPORT Performance 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
I graduated from a 2017 RX 350 to the 2020 RX 450h Performance F Sport and love it! I love the feel and sound when I put it in Sport mode, but most of the time I keep it in Eco Mode for improved mileage. In Sport mode the gas pedal is soft, whereas in Eco mode it seems as the pedal is harder to push, saving fuel? The car is very similar to my 2017 inside, except the speedometer … area. There is no space under the back seats to stick my car wash rags or umbrella since the battery is in that area. (not a problem). The RX 450h has a smaller fuel tank then the RX 350 but I am getting around a 100 miles more between fill ups with the RX 450h. The only drawback is the RX 450h does require 93 octane which compared to an RX 350 that burns 87 octane there is only a slight cost savings on fuel. Currently I am getting exactly what the estimated mileage on the sticker says....
Great Value and very comfortable!
5 out of 5 starsIan F, 01/15/2020
2020 Lexus RX 450h F SPORT Performance 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
This is an incredibly well constructed and well composed SUV. It is exactly what you think it should be. There are no surprises. The CVT coupled with the Hybrid System provides adequate and smooth power. The ride is very comfortable. It’s heavy and well made yet fairly agile for a car this size. Lexus has done a very good job with this car. You would be hard pressed to find anything … negative about the vehicle. There are obviously certain aspects of the car that might not be ‘as nice’ as other competitors in the segment but on average this Car does everything very well. Highly recommend.
Get f sport version if possible
5 out of 5 starsAries, 01/02/2020
2020 Lexus RX 450h F SPORT Performance 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
I did very intensive test drive comparing the non f sport and f sport. If possible, please get f sport. The f sport suspension turned grandma's 450h into a car like SUV. The eco and normal mode completely isolate you from the northcal crappy road condition. On the other hand, sport+ mode controls body roll really well, and the performance is very similar as my 2016 IS f sport. Overall, … I'm extremely satisfied with my purchase!
The perfect auto.
5 out of 5 starsNeups, 07/31/2019
2019 Lexus RX 450h 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Beauty, quiet, great handling, beautifully displayed controls with an impeccable interior quality and design. Add a MPG with constant in city driving of 29 and all around luxury-- you have a auto beyond compare to anything on the road. Nothing comes close. I drove them all--- this Lexus RX450h pulls away as the total champ.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Lexus RX 450h, so we've included reviews for other years of the RX 450h since its last redesign.
2021 RX 450h Highlights
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $47,920 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Hybrid |
Combined MPG | 30 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $225/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 16.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the RX 450h models:
- Lexus Safety System+ 2.0
- Includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation with automatic braking, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist.
- Lexus Enform Safety Connect
- Alerts emergency services automatically in the event of a crash or distress. Also includes a stolen vehicle locator.
- Panoramic View Monitor
- Provides a 360-degree view of the area around the RX 450h to aid in parking situations.
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover16.4%
People who viewed this also viewed
4.3 average Rating out of 12 reviews. |
Starting at $49,000 |
3.2 average Rating out of 70 reviews. |
Starting at $47,400 |
4.2 average Rating out of 5 reviews. |
Starting at $49,125 |
Related Used 2021 Lexus RX 450h info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Honda Odyssey 2021 Review
- Maserati Quattroporte 2021 Review
- Lexus Ux 200 2021 Review
- Audi TT 2021 Review
- Nissan Altima 2020 Review
Shop similar models
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Lexus RX 400H 2010
- Used Lexus RX 400H 2012
- Used Lexus RX 400H 2018
- Used Lexus RX 400H 2020
- Used Lexus RX 400H 2021
- Used Lexus RX 450H 2011
- Used Lexus RX 450H 2015
- Used Lexus RX 450H 2019
- Used Lexus RX 450HL 2018
- Used Lexus RX 450HL 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- New Ford Edge
- 2026 Audi Q5 News
- Hyundai Sonata 2025
- 2024 Lincoln Aviator
- 2025 Dodge Durango
- 2026 Dodge Durango News
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
- 2024 Acura MDX
- New Lexus IS
- Chevrolet Corvette 2025
Research other models of Lexus
- New Lexus GX
- 2025 Lexus RX
- 2025 TX
- New Lexus RX
- Lexus NX 2025
- 2024 Lexus GX 460
- 2025 Lexus ES
- 2025 Lexus NX
- New Lexus ES
Research similar vehicles
Other models
- Used Audi S4 in Portsmouth, VA 2025
- Used Ferrari 488-Spider in Lexington Park, MD 2019
- Used Acura TLX in Winchester, VA 2025
- Used Mercury Mariner in Laredo, TX 2011
- Used Mercury Mariner-Hybrid in Lebanon, OH 2011
- Used Honda CR-Z in West Sacramento, CA 2016
- Used Ford Flex in Cranston, RI 2019
- Used Scion XD in Union City, CA 2014
- Used Audi RS-4 in Lawrenceburg, TN 2008
- New Ford E-Transit-Cargo-Van for Sale in Taylors, SC