Just the Lexus name alone brings to mind luxury, style and class. They are vehicles that are known to be long lasting and ones that hold their value. So when the 2016 Lexus RX 450h pulled into the drive I just knew it was going to be a good week. The “h” part of the vehicle name is for Hybrid. A luxury hybrid that will hit so many high points while giving you gas efficiency that so many are seeking now.
The exterior of the 2016 Lexus RX 450h is sharp just like a well dressed man in a business suit. It has those chiseled edges and slashes that I love in a vehicle. It gives it character and definition. There are many that like the classic rounded look of the Lexus RX, but I am a huge fan of the new look and styling.
The interior leaves no spot untouched bringing in soft leather, and beautiful accents throughout. I love when a vehicle just hugs you when you slide into the driver’s seat. This one even scoots back when you turn the SUV off and open the door allowing you plenty of space to get in and out of the vehicle. My only problem with that function is when you have kids with carseats and the drivers seat goes back too far and squishes them as they are trying to get out. This is a feature that you can turn off if it is a nuisance.
One of my favorite things about the Lexus RX 450h is the “mouse” or toggle that you can use to select things on the navigation/media screen. It is right at your fingertips and allows you to not have to reach to change something on the touchscreen. My next favorite is the sheer size of the nav screen. Most vehicles have at most 7-8″ screens. Having an almost 12″ long screen is a thing of beauty. You can see how the vehicle is performing in the eco function as well as see your turn by turn directions or Sirius XM stations.
It takes a bit of getting used to the stop and start nature of the hybrid system. At times I really wasn’t a fan when you want to get up and instant go, it would sometimes take the engine a second to think about what you wanted it to do versus just out and out going like a regular gas engine would do. I appreciate the thought and need behind it so that the vehicle gets better gas mileage, but I don’t know that it is something I would necessarily purchase. Now don’t get me wrong this baby can go and has plenty of power behind it once the engine kicks in. It is one smooth ride.
The kids had plenty of room in the second row for carseats to fit and backpacks to be on the floor by their feet. There was also a ton of cargo space in the rear. No trying to cram in a third row on a vehicle that really doesn’t have the room for it. I WANT and LOVE to have plenty of cargo space in the rear. No one has to feel crammed in and we can still haul all of our soccer gear and wagon.
I can’t say enough good things about the 2016 Lexus RX 450h. It just fits like a glove and a pleasure to drive!!
Specs on the 2016 Lexus RX 450h: MSRP $64,640
- 3.5L V6 Electric Drive Motor with Lexus Hybrid drive
- On demand all wheel drive
- 20″ alloy wheels
- Tire pressure monitoring system
- 10 airbags
- Intuitive parking assist
- Electronic parking brake
- Blind spot monitoring system
- Lexus Enform safety connect
- Lexus Enform service connect
- 4.2″ multi info display with Lexus personalized settings
- Aluminum roof rails
- Power back door
- Panoramic Moonroof
- Color heads up display
- Cold weather package
- Power folding heated rear seats
- Luxury package: leather trimmed seats, wood and leather heated steering wheel, rear door sunshades, and more
- 12.3″ navigation system screen with 15 speaker Mark Levinson Premium audio package
- Dual screen rear seat entertainment system
- AVG 30 MPG combined
Wow!