Hybrid crossovers make a ton of sense, particularly should you’re on the lookout for one thing a little bit luxurious. One of many greatest issues that folks have, nonetheless, is to do with reliability. If you spend a ton on a crossover, you don’t need it to spend extra time with the mechanic than it does with you.
By way of reliability, its fairly extensively accepted that Japanese manufacturers are constantly on the prime of the stack. Automakers like Toyota and Honda have constructed their entire empire on the reliability of their automobiles. This popularity positively carries over into the luxurious market.
Exploring the luxurious hybrid crossovers from Japan, we’ve discovered the mannequin that scores increased than all others. We dive into the opinions of some verified house owners and discover the prices related to preserving it in operating order. We additionally element find out how to configure the crossover to get essentially the most worth in your cash.
In an effort to provide the most recent and correct info attainable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from varied producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with TopSpeed, J.D. Energy, RepairPal, CarEdge, the EPA, Client Studies, and Automobiles.com.
Lexus’ Compact RX Hybrid Is One of many Most Dependable Luxurious SUVs on Sale
It comes as no shock that Lexus has essentially the most dependable Japanese luxurious crossover for 2025. The model’s popularity for constructing sturdy automobiles is one thing that they’ve slowly crafted over the a long time that they’ve been in the marketplace. When their SUVs specifically, the RX has a incredible popularity for being well-built and long-lasting.
Reliability Scores
J.D. Energy is without doubt one of the highest authorities in terms of reliability. It’s because it collates critiques from verified house owners to find out the rating awarded to automobiles. The RX has some fairly glowing critiques, which is why it is without doubt one of the highest rated compact SUVs fashions in terms of its total rating. Specifically, the RX receives an 85 out of 100 for high quality and reliability, which helps rocket it forward of its competitors.
When proprietor critiques, we discover that the hybrid Lexus RX is fairly well-loved by those that drive it. Homeowners are additionally typically repeat consumers who have been impressed by the reliability of earlier fashions that they owned. They level to the truth that they’ve not often needed to do something past scheduled upkeep to maintain their Lexus crossover operating easily.
It’s distinctive to have these three traits in a single automobile. Reliability: I had 11 years RX350 with zero issues. Simply common upkeep. This was a motive I bought a brand new one…
Upkeep Prices
Having a automobile with a popularity for not having any main points is incredible. In the end, although, each automobile wants upkeep and repairs. That is why it is essential to notice simply how costly the operating prices of a automobile are. Typically, upkeep prices on Lexus SUVs are a lot decrease than they’re for the typical luxurious automobile, with prices being extra akin to one thing mainstream. This appears to be the case for the RX as nicely.
Discovering knowledge concerning the upkeep prices of the hybrid RX just isn’t a simple job, given the truth that it has solely been in the marketplace for a few years. Nevertheless, we will get some clues from different fashions. In keeping with CarEdge, the gas-only RX 350 prices round $7,587 to take care of in its first ten years. That is $6,565 decrease than what you’d count on to pay for the typical luxurious SUV.
You Have a Selection of Three Sturdy and Environment friendly Powertrains within the RX
Shot of the engine bay of a 2025 Lexus 500h
Powertrains are among the greatest indicators of reliability, with the engine and electrical motors being two locations the place you’d least need points to happen. Lexus provides three completely different decisions in terms of the powertrain that motivates your RX, with two being conventional hybrids and one being a plug-in hybrid. Whereas all good, some are extra dependable than others.
Efficiency Specs
Mannequin
RX 350h
RX 500h
RX 450h+
Powertrain
2.5-Liter Hybrid Inline-4
2.4-Liter Turbocharged Hybrid Inline-4
2.5-Liter Plug-In Hybrid Inline-4
Transmission
CVT
6-Velocity Automated
CVT
Horsepower
246 HP
366 HP
304 HP
Torque
233 LB-FT
406 LB-FT
N/A
Driveline
AWD
AWD
AWD
Outlined above are the three layouts which you can have your hybrid RX in. Whereas different luxurious compact SUVs look to mix consolation and efficiency, the RX leans closely in to the previous and appears to push the latter to the wayside. It is not sluggish off the road, with the RX 450h+ going zero to sixty in six seconds and the RX 500h doing the run in 5.5 seconds, however that is not actually what defines efficiency.
In any guise, you will be handled to one of many plushest rides in the marketplace, with the suspension effortlessly absorbing any bumps within the street. Nevertheless, should you’re seeking to put your foot down and swing round corners, you may end up a little bit upset. The 500h, which comes with the F Sport package deal, is essentially the most disheartening, with dealing with left nearly unchanged over the bottom mannequin.
The 450h+ provides one of the best stability of effectivity and efficiency. Nevertheless, plug-in hybrids are typically much less dependable than conventional hybrids because of the truth that they’ve so many extra important factors that may fail. The 500h additionally makes use of pressured induction, which might result in barely decrease ranges of reliability. Whereas these powertrains should still be above common, the naturally aspirated 350h is your greatest wager should you’re seeking to maximize reliability.
Gasoline Effectivity And Vary
Mannequin
Metropolis
Freeway
Mixed
RX 350h
37 MPG
34 MPG
36 MPG
RX 500h
27 MPG
28 MPG
27 MPG
RX 450h+
36 MPG
33 MPG
34 MPG
The 350h will get glorious gas financial system, matching or besting its direct rivals within the compact luxurious hybrid section. The distinction between metropolis and freeway driving is not that giant both. The 500h sacrifices some financial system for its further energy. We’re unsure that the ten miles per gallon you lose while you go along with the 500h is value it when you think about the truth that the RX is not a lot of a efficiency SUV in any guise.
The 450h+ will get some fairly respectable gas financial system when driving in conventional hybrid mode, coming near the much less highly effective 350h. On prime of this, it comes fitted with a 18.1-kWh battery pack and a 6.6-kWh onboard AC charger. This provides the crossover an estimated 37 miles of electric-only driving vary. When hooked as much as a 240 volt connection, Lexus claims that it may be charged in about two and a half hours.
The RX Is One of many Most Reasonably priced Compact Luxurious Crossovers
Entrance 3/4 shot of of 2025 Lexus RX 500h
Not solely is the RX simple in your pockets by preserving upkeep prices and gas prices low, it is usually one of the crucial reasonably priced hybrid choices in its class. Whereas it might not be as efficiency oriented as another decisions on the market, if consolation and high-quality supplies are on the prime of your priorities, then the RX Hybrid provides some glorious worth for cash.
2025 Trims And Pricing
Mannequin
Beginning MSRP
350h
$52,475
350h Premium
$54,725
350h F Sport Design
$57,055
350h Premium+
$58,215
350h Luxurious
$63,270
500h F Sport Efficiency
$66,150
450h+ Luxurious
$72,610
Most different direct rivals of the Lexus RX Hybrid have beginning costs a few thousand {dollars} increased. Much more reasonably priced fashions just like the Lincoln Corsair Hybrid and Volvo XC60 Hybrid are dearer. Its fashionable design, luxe inside, and cozy trip make it really feel like a fairly whole lot at this value level. It additionally comes fairly well-equipped from the phrase go.
For the 2025 mannequin 12 months, Lexus has made a few modifications to the RX Hybrid. Firstly, they’ve added the 350h F Sport Design trim. This provides all of the aesthetic components that you simply discover on the F Sport fashions however with none efficiency upgrades. A particular version 500h Black Line mannequin can be on supply, priced at $68,650. This restricted run mannequin options Incognito grey paint together with blacked out exterior trim items and orange brake calipers.
The Greatest Bang-For-Your-Buck Trim
In our minds, the 500h F Sport Efficiency simply does not make sense. The RX does not actually supply any thrills, even with all of the added efficiency gear, and is healthier suited to these on the lookout for consolation above all else. The 450h+ can be simply too costly to really feel really definitely worth the cash, except you actually need the electrical vary that it provides.
In our minds, the 350h greatest represents what the RX Hybrid goals to attain. We might additionally go for the Premium+ mannequin because it provides the luxuries that you simply’d need on a crossover like this. Leather-based upholstery, ambient lighting, 21-inch alloy wheels, and a bigger 14-inch infotainment system are all customary on this mannequin. It provides a ton of luxurious for a value that’s actually arduous to argue with.
