SYDNEY: Lexus Australia has introduced a second RX plug-in hybrid – the RX 450h+ Luxury with all-wheel drive (AWD).
This takes to four the number of RX and NX plug-in hybrid vehicles, across the brand’s range of luxury family SUVs (sport utility vehicles).
Lexus Australia chief executive John Pappas said electrified powertrains account for 85 per cent of RX and almost 80 per cent of NX deliveries so far in 2025, with the trend set to continue.
“Lexus offers customers the luxury of choice, and more are choosing to transition to hybrid, and similarly more from hybrid to plug-in hybrid as the benefits of battery-electric assisted performance are embraced."
The RX 450h+ Luxury has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain unit with intelligent AWD, delivering a potent 227kW of combined power from the petrol engine and two permanent synchronous electric motors.
Paired with an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery, the RX 450h+ Luxury offers 85km of electric-only driving range.
On long-distance trips should the battery’s state of charge drop too low, the Lexus PHEV eliminates the need to recharge as the intelligent powertrain defaults to operating like a regular hybrid with the petrol engine providing most of the power.
The air-cooled AC charging system uses a 6.6kW on-board charger which can charge the battery in as little as two and a half hours when using a 32A charging current, and around seven and a half hours with a 10A current.
Standard equipment includes eight-way power adjustable front seats with driver memory, heated and ventilated front seats, reclining rear seats with power fold down switch, three-zone climate control, panoramic sliding roof, head up display (HUD) and keyless entry.
Multimedia functions include 14-inch touchscreen display, wireless phone charger, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, five USB-C charging ports and Lexus Connected Services.
