Lexus is expanding its plug-in hybrid RX lineup for the 2026 model year by introducing a more affordable variant, the RX450h+ Luxury. This new trim is positioned beneath the existing RX450h+ Sports Luxury and gives buyers a more accessible entry point into Lexus’s plug-in hybrid midsize SUV range. Until now, customers interested in a plug-in RX had only one, fully loaded option to choose from, but the addition of the Luxury grade broadens the appeal of the electrified model line-up.
Priced from $105,350 before on-road costs, the RX450h+ Luxury sits $18,300 below the Sports Luxury flagship. However, it still carries an $11,800 premium over the least expensive two-wheel-drive RX350h hybrid. Lexus sees this pricing strategy as a way to bridge the gap between conventional hybrids and higher-end plug-in offerings, targeting customers who want extended electric driving without stepping into the top-tier trim.
Despite its lower price, the RX450h+ Luxury retains the same mechanical package found in the more expensive Sports Luxury model. Power comes from a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine paired with dual electric motors, delivering a combined system output of 227kW. Energy is supplied by an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery, which allows for a claimed electric-only driving range of up to 85 kilometres. This figure matches the range offered by the higher-spec plug-in hybrid RX, ensuring buyers don’t sacrifice efficiency or electric capability by choosing the more affordable variant.
Compared with the RX350h Luxury hybrid, the plug-in RX450h+ Luxury benefits from several notable upgrades. These include adaptive variable suspension for improved ride comfort and handling, a fully digital instrument display, and leather-accented interior upholstery. In addition, equipment that is optional on the RX350h Luxury via an enhancement package now comes standard. This bundle includes leather seating, memory and easy-access functions for the driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, and touch-sensitive steering wheel controls.
Like the rest of the RX range, the RX450h+ Luxury comes equipped with a 14-inch infotainment screen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, three-zone climate control, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, a powered tailgate, and a power-adjustable steering column. However, some features remain exclusive to higher trims, as the Luxury grade rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, uses a standard reversing camera instead of a 360-degree system, and features a 12-speaker Panasonic sound system and single-projector bi-LED headlights rather than upgraded alternatives.
Lexus says the introduction of this new trim reflects growing demand for electrified vehicles, noting that the vast majority of RX and NX sales now involve hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains. With the RX450h+ Luxury added to the mix, Lexus now offers four plug-in hybrid models across its range, further strengthening its electrification strategy.