After an entire redesign final yr, the Japanese luxurious marque’s RX is now seeing a brand new battery-assisted powertrain choice
Lexus, the luxury-car section’s hybrid expertise pioneer, is rolling out a brand new addition to its ultra-popular and extremely profitable RX lineup. The 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid is the model’s first plug-in RX hybrid, constructing on the whole redesign of this iconic crossover car final yr. This transfer accentuates the model’s dedication to its electrified powertrains.
Powering the 2024 RX 450h+ is a high-capacity 18.1-kWh lithium-ion battery paired with a 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine, offering an estimated mixed 2.8 Le/100 km and about 301 horsepower. This technique ensures constant acceleration with an estimated zero-to-100-km/h time of simply 6.5 seconds. Furthermore, the RX 450h+ affords a powerful 60-km driving vary on electrical energy alone.
With an electronically managed, full-time AWD system, drivers ought to take pleasure in a assured, sporty driving expertise. The charging instances are notably swift due to a high-output, high-efficiency system that reduces energy loss throughout AC to DC conversion.
Embodying luxurious, the 2024 RX 450h+ options the identical standard-grade options as its 2023 non-plug-in sibling. The outside boasts an athletic silhouette, with a seamless grille on the entrance; and a single-lens taillamp wrapping across the physique, enhancing the huge and low stance. The inside is lush and roomy, with controls conveniently positioned inside the driver’s attain. It’s out there in a variety of exterior colors, and as much as three inside color choices, accompanied by two distinctive ornamentation types.
However the ridiculously fashionable Lexus RX has upped its electrification sport for the upcoming mannequin yr throughout the remainder of its vary, too, providing three totally different hybrid powertrains along with the standard gasoline-only choice. It appears the previous scale of good-better-best is alive and properly at Lexus.
First out of the gate is an RX 350h, a machine which mixes a 2.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder with hybrid gubbins and a CVT to spit out 246 system horsepower. Notice properly: Lexus continues to make use of the moronic (although technically right) time period “self-charging” while referring to any such energy workforce. Though it’s true the small hybrid battery within the 350h is replenished via day-to-day driving, it’s not sufficient to motor solely on electrons — that means that is nonetheless very a lot a gasoline-powered car which wants gas pumped into its tank.
Climbing down off our soapbox, we discover the RX 500h, a rig which additionally makes use of hybrid guts, however deploys a 2.4L turbocharged mill as its gasoline-powered half of the equation. Energy jumps to 367 horses and over 400 lb-ft of torque, all available with a mixed gas economic system estimate of 8.6 L/100 km.
Clients who’d somewhat not have any electrification in any respect of their snazzy Lexus might take into account the RX 350, which makes use of a 2.4L turbo engine with 275 ponies and 317 torques. All-wheel-drive is customary on this nation, and gas economic system checks in round 10.0 L/100 km on the mixed take a look at cycle.
Pricing in Canada begins at $61,450 for the RX 350h, $81,100 for the extra highly effective RX 500h, and $86,950 for the RX 450h+ plug-in. Save for the latter, which is barely supplied in “a completely geared up, top-tier Govt grade as customary,” the RX fashions will be had in a passel of various choice combos.The 2024 Lexus RX line is now on sale at Lexus Sellers throughout Canada. Simply don’t name any of them “self-charging,” okay?
