If you’ve been watching the gradual electrification of Lexus’s lineup like a slow sunrise over a quiet highway, the 2026 Lexus RX 450h+ feels like a logical, if still deliberate, next step. Rather than chase full battery-electric bravado, this plug-in-hybrid iteration of Lexus’s perennial luxury crossover opts for what Lexus would call the luxury of choice: a toe in the electric water without having to let go of gasoline entirely.
Under the hood (and under the floor, to be precise), the RX 450h+ pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electrified hybrid system and a sizable lithium-ion battery pack. The result is around 304 hp of combined output. This gives a claimed 0–60 mph sprint of about 6.2 seconds, which is brisk rather than ballistic.
What really distinguishes the 450h+ from its regular hybrid sibling (450h) is its electric-only range: about 38 miles on a charge. That’s enough for most daily errands or a typical commute before the gasoline engine ever wakes up. And if you charge it regularly, much of your driving can feel almost like owning an EV without the range anxiety. Which is why PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) sell better than pure EVs.
Charging itself is no ordeal: with a 240V hookup and the standard 6.6 kW onboard charger, Lexus says a full top-up takes roughly two-and-a-half hours, which is faster than many SUVs in this class. Even without a 240 plug, though, PHEVs are easily charged overnight on a standard household outlet too.
The RX has always had a reputation for serenity and the 450h+ inherits that trait. On city streets, the electric drive makes everything feel effortless: acceleration is smooth rather than inculcating that “jet up your spine” sensation you get in sportier SUVs. On the highway, once the battery surrenders its juice and the gasoline engine takes over, the transition is serene but noticeable, and a reminder that this is still a luxury SUV first.
What Lexus seems to aim for with the 450h+ is a balance between quiet cruising, capable performance, and a drivetrain that feels grown-up about efficiency without sacrificing composure.
Step inside and you’re greeted with the familiar Lexus ethos: materials and switchgear that feel thoughtful rather than ostentatious; and, tech that’s current without being overwhelming. Standard fare includes a 14-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the sort of ergonomic comfort you expect from Lexus.
If you live in a world of daily commutes under 40 miles, the RX 450h+ can make electric driving your default state. Plug in overnight, and most weekday journeys are likely to go without gasoline at all. On longer trips, its hybrid fallback offers respectable efficiency once the battery is depleted.
That’s the beauty (and arguably the point) of the plug-in hybrid: it’s a bit of both worlds. You get tangible EV advantages without sacrificing the flexibility of gasoline for longer hauls or infrequent road trips.
The 2026 Lexus RX 450h+ doesn’t feel like a huge breakthrough. There’s nothing in its DNA that screams electric revolution. Rather, it feels like a refined evolution. It’s not the most dramatic SUV on the road, but it is one of the most sensible if you want a bridge toward electrification without leaping completely. That’s a niche, to be sure, but for the right buyer it’s a very comfortable one.
