2025 Lexus RX450 H +plus Review - The Ultimate Plug In Hybrid? Luxury, Power and a Hidden Risk

Looking for a luxury SUV that blends hybrid performance with Lexus reliability? The Lexus RX 450h+ Plug-in Hybrid might just be the car you’ve been eyeing - but wait until you hear the one big problem that could ruin your ownership experience.

Before you buy, you need to know what this sleek and powerful hybrid SUV can really do, and more importantly, what could make it disappear in just six minutes!

The Lexus RX 450h Plus stands tall in the luxury hybrid SUV market, offering comfort, style, and impressive plug-in hybrid efficiency.

Powered by a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle engine paired with two electric motors and an 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, this hybrid SUV delivers a combined output of around 304 bhp. That’s enough for a 0–60 mph time of 6.5 seconds, which is quick considering the car’s large size and weight.

You can expect an EV-only range of about 40 miles, depending on driving style and conditions. In EV mode, the RX 450h+ behaves like a fully electric vehicle, giving you that silent, smooth drive Lexus is famous for — without range anxiety.

Once the battery runs low, the petrol engine kicks in seamlessly, letting you go the extra distance without stopping to charge.

Step inside and you’ll find a premium cabin that screams luxury. A 14-inch HD touchscreen dominates the dash, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There’s also a heads-up display, an intuitive digital driver’s cluster, and clever storage compartments like the dual-opening centre console, which opens from either side for easy access. The rear luggage area is spacious, with hidden storage spaces for everyday essentials.

Lexus has packed this plug-in SUV with safety and convenience. The Lexus Safety System Plus 3 includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and traffic-jam assist.

There’s even a digital latch system with Safe Exit Assist to stop passengers from opening doors into passing traffic.

Outside, the RX 450h+ looks bold and modern, with Lexus’s signature wraparound grille and alloy wheels up to 21 inches. While the big wheels add presence, smaller alloys improve comfort and handling — a point worth noting if you value ride quality over aesthetics.

On the road, the Lexus RX 450h Plus favours refinement over agility. The suspension absorbs potholes and uneven surfaces with ease, giving you that effortless Lexus glide.

Steering is light and accurate at low speeds, perfect for city driving, though it can feel a little vague on twisty roads. Still, this isn’t a sports SUV; it’s built for comfort, luxury, and effortless cruising.

Rivals include the BMW X5 xDrive50e, Volvo XC60 Recharge T8, Audi Q5 55 TFSI e, Mercedes-Benz GLE 350de, and even the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid.

Against these, the RX 450h+ holds its own thanks to Lexus’s legendary reliability, smooth hybrid performance, and low company-car BIK tax rate from its reduced CO₂ emissions.

However, there’s one serious issue new Lexus owners need to watch out for — keyless car theft. The RX 450h+ shares the same keyless entry system used by other Toyota and Lexus models, and criminals have developed relay devices that can clone your key fob signal in seconds.

In one real case, a new RX 450h+ was stolen in under six minutes from a London street.

To protect your investment, consider physical anti-theft measures such as steering-wheel locks, wheel clamps, or Faraday pouches for your key fobs. Until manufacturers improve their systems — perhaps with PIN start-up or fingerprint verification — owners should stay vigilant.

So, is the Lexus RX 450h Plus worth buying? If you want a luxurious plug-in hybrid SUV with real-world EV driving capability, refined performance, and top-tier comfort, then yes — it delivers on every front.

But make sure you also protect it, because while Lexus engineers have perfected refinement, the thieves have perfected getting away with them.

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Check out our next videos on plug-in hybrid SUVs and Lexus keyless theft prevention — you’ll want to see them before you make your next move.

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