Written by Marco Carvajal
2022 Lexus RX 450h AWD F SPORT
The RX 450 Hybrid is a great mix of large space, luxury, performance, and maneuverability, it is a great comfortable automobile for fast highway cruising and driving around town. I love driving the RX 450 hybrid with all-wheel drive for maximum power on any off-road and F Sport trim level for enhanced performance and speed.
Lexus RX is a comfortable five-door crossover that combines luxury, practicality, and dynamics. The Lexus RX is a premium mid-size SUV produced by the Japanese automaker Toyota since 1998. It was first introduced in the United States in 1997, at the Chicago Auto Show.
As part of Lexus early start and innovation into hybrid cars, the first RX hybrid version was released almost two decades ago. Thanks to the use of a hybrid engine, the RX hybrid combines sporty design and style with low fuel consumption.
The Lexus RX 400h was the world’s second mass-produced hybrid crossover after the Ford Escape Hybrid and the first luxury hybrid crossover.
The last RX generation was introduced In April 2015, at the New York Auto Show. Lexus introduced the fourth generation of the 2016 RX crossover with a completely updated exterior and interior, improved performance, and handling. New RX models received a V6 engine for more power. This crossover is available in two versions: gasoline and hybrid.
All RX engines, hybrid or regular gasoline, are eco-friendly and efficient, consuming less fuel and having low CO2 emissions. The new Lexus RX is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 300 hp. and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
F Sport Performance Trim
F Sport is a Lexus brand that offers fast, durable, highly capable performance cars that rely on a wide range of technologies to help make their performance accessible to drivers of all skill levels. When you drive an F Sport car, like the RX 450h F Sport I am driving, you get a racing-type car that you can drive every day. F-Sport adds performance technology to regular Lexus sedans or SUVs.
Lexus F Sport models are sporty, powerful, fast and fun to drive. As I drive the RX 450 hybrid F Sport the emotions and passion for fast and precise driving bring excitement on the road.
F Sport Lexus trim models are one of my favorite Lexus cars to drive. The F Sport is not only about performance, as these vehicles also include design touches to reflect their high-performance level on the exterior and interior design.
Among many features, the F SPORT tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension can make you feel like flying on the road.
RX 450h the most powerful RX
Some of the reasons to buy a Lexus RX 450h are the 308 total system horsepower, 30 combined MPG estimate, and class-leading Lexus safety system 2.0.
The RX 450h comes with great fuel economy for this type of SUV at 30 MPG. The 30 MPG doesn’t seem that impressive but keep in mind that this is a V6 all-wheel-drive SUV, but perhaps here there is some room for improvement in future new RX generations.
Good range and fuel efficiency can be usually the reason to buy the hybrid RX 450h version, instead of the regular gas engine RX, but moreover, the real reason to buy a hybrid RX should be its powerful performance, the RX 450 hybrid is the most powerful RX ever made by Lexus.
Trims and Pricing for the 2022 Lexus RX 450h
The RX Hybrid is a great car to buy, it is very efficient with an advanced hybrid engine, but it also is beautiful and luxurious on the inside and outside, it looks fantastic, but this amazing look doesn’t have to be so expensive, is actually very affordable for a premium SUV.
The base price RX 450h AWD is less than 50K, and if you want to purchase the top of the line RX 450h Black Line Special Edition, the price goes under 60K, which is a very good price for this luxury trim.
Compared to all what you receive when buying an RX hybrid, the price range is low for a premium Lexus hybrid SUV.
- RX 450h AWD
$49,345 Starting MSRP - RX 450h F SPORT AWD
$52,825 Starting MSRP - RX 450hL AWD
$52,735 Starting MSRP - RX 450h AWD BLACK LINE SPECIAL EDITION
$53,750 Starting MSRP -
RX 450hL AWD BLACK LINE SPECIAL EDITION
$57,115 Starting MSRP
As part of new design details for the RX, now in 2022, a new color palette is available for the entire RX 350 and 450h line. With the addition of Cloudburst Gray and Iridium for all models, and Grecian Water for F models. The RX can be customized with colors and stand-alone fog lights.
Hybrid RX 450
Lexus introduced the world’s first hybrid vehicle, a gasoline-electric version of the RX SUV, more than a decade ago.
The RX 450h has a combined system horsepower of 308 units for high performance, and the RX 450h has an EPA-estimated 30mpg.
The Lexus Hybrid Drive system combines a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine with D4-S fuel injection and two high-torque electric motor-generators for strong acceleration and off-road capability. Instead of a transfer case and driveshaft to the rear wheels, the all-weather drive system uses a second independent electric motor to drive the rear wheels when needed to maintain optimum traction.
Elegant and modern design is part of the Lexus RX. When driving the RX you feel comfortable and you feel the premium aspect of this brand and model everywhere.
Driving a Lexus you can enjoy the ride with great performance, good efficiency, but also feel that you are driving a superior premium car on the road.
Lexus All Wheel Drive
The RX Dynamic Torque Control All Wheel Drive works in a fantastic way, under normal cruising conditions the system engages front-wheel drive to help reduce fuel consumption. The advanced AWD system takes input from various sensors such as wheel speed, engine RPM, steering angle, throttle opening angle and yaw rate, to actively govern torque distribution to the rear wheels using an electromagnetically controlled coupling in the rear differential.
When the vehicle is accelerating, the system automatically shifts to AWD to help prevent front-wheel slippage. While cruising, the system reverts to FWD, and when sensors detect wheel slippage, it can vary front to rear torque distribution.
2022 Lexus RX 450h AWD F SPORT Highlights
- 308 total system horsepower
- 30 combined MPG estimate
- Dual-zone climate control with interior air filter
- Power-adjustable front seats
- 40/20/40-split, folding, reclining second-row seat
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Power tilt-and-telescopic steering column
- NuLuxe interior trim
- Scored Aluminum trim
- Lexus Memory System for power driver’s seat, outside rearview mirrors, and steering wheel
- F SPORT perforated leather-trimmed steering wheel with paddle shifters and shift knob
- Power-folding, auto-dimming outside mirrors
- Power rear door
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- F SPORT front fascia and mesh grille insert
- F SPORT front-fender and rear-door badges
- F SPORT rear valance
- Black outside mirrors
- F SPORT 20-in split-10-spoke alloy wheels with Dark Graphite finish
- Lexus nine-speaker Premium Audio System
- 8-in Lexus Multimedia System with color LCD multimedia display
- Voice Command
- Apple CarPlay integration
- Android Auto compatibility
- Alexa compatibility
- SiriusXM 3-month Platinum Plan trial subscription is included
- HD Radio
- Lexus Enform Wi-Fi. 4GB/three-month trial is included
- Bluetooth and USB smartphone connectivity
- Performance-inspired instrumentation including G-mete
- Lexus Safety System 2.0: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
- Lexus Safety System 2.0: Lane Tracing Assist
- Lexus Safety System 2.0: Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
Safety features and driver assists features are excellent, typical of premium mastering of Lexus.
This Lexus hybrid is one of the best SUVs in its category and for sure it is the most powerful RX SUV available. You will be impressed and surprised with this hybrid SUV, it is easy to go to a Lexus dealer for test drive to see it with your own eyes.
