The RX model launched in 1997, Toyota and Lexus have been early adopters of hybrid technology, in 2006, Lexus debuted the first luxury hybrid, the RX 400h. Today, that lineage continues with the 2021 Lexus RX 450h. The standard RX is a two-row, five-seat affair, but Lexus also has an extended-length L model that seats up to seven riders across three rows.

In 2021 the vehicle gained new technology, including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, both of which are now standard across the range. Auto-dimming, power-folding mirrors are included at no extra charge, as part of the Lexus Safety System Plus 2.0, a suite of driver aids that includes daytime cyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road sign recognition and lane-keeping assist. The RX receives only minor changes for 2022, including newly standard fog lamps and a trio of new colors—Cloudburst Gray, Iridium, and Grecian Water. The F Sport package includes items like a unique grille, aluminum pedal covers, 20-inch wheels and even performance dampers. Beyond those F Sport upgrades, my loaner featured the Black Line Special Edition package ($685) and includes special body-side graphics, a black grille surround and a Halliburton Edge lightweight two-piece luggage set.

Buyers can have their RX in two distinct flavors: Models badged RX350 are powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 while the RX450h comes with the V-6 plus electric motors. The RX 450h hybrid powertrain has two electric motor-generators up front that form a continuously variable transmission, and a separate motor at the rear, which provides all-wheel drive. This arrangement provides 308 horsepower. For added versatility, the RX 450h offers an EV mode, which allows you to run it solely on electricity. Remember, this is not a plug-in hybrid, so electric-only range is not the primary focus.

What the RX does best more than anything is ride comfortably; it irons out rough stretches of road and delivers a ride soft like butter. The cabin remains quiet and well isolated from the road, making the RX an excellent long-distance cruiser. Fuel efficiency is where the RX shines, with figures rated as high as 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. In the real world the RX450h outperformed those EPA ratings.

Lexus has chosen fine materials for the RX's interior, including soft leather, textured metallic or wood trims, and soft-touch plastics. The digital display elements tucked behind the wheel and the screen atop the dash wake with crystal-clear graphics. The driving position is comfortable, quiet and easy to settle into, Lexus has added touchscreen capability to the RX's infotainment system. The infotainment system comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa and Android Auto, which I prefer to use. Onboard Wi-Fi is included but not something I used. An 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen comes standard, but upgrading to the 12.3-inch display ($3,365) not only provides a wider viewing screen, it also adds in-dash navigation, a 15-speaker, 835-watt Mark Levinson setup (a nine-speaker setup is standard), a DVD/CD player. A 15-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system is also optional, as is a rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones and dual 11.6-inch monitors.

Just behind this Lexus' unusually deep dashboard, the front bucket chairs are all-day comfortable and attractive, rendered in black and white with contrasting blue stitching, a combo that's also part of the Black Line Special Edition package. Moving rearward, the RX's backseat is nearly sprawl-out spacious, with plenty of legroom and a decent amount of headspace. When it comes to cargo space you get 16 cu-ft with the rear seats up, and 32.7 cu-ft with them down.

A base 2021 Lexus RX 450h starts at just shy of $49,000, including $1,025 in destination fees. That's about $2,650 more than an entry-level, front-wheel-drive, non-hybrid RX 350. The F Sport loaner came out for $61,455. It provides a smooth and comfortable ride, with a whisper-quiet cabin, and the hybrid system is capable and competent. What we have here is the champion of downtown trips and highway cruising.

2021 Lexus RX 450h F Sport