Used 2021 Lexus RX 450hL for sale 

Similar to its current 2020 model, the 2021 Lexus RX 450 hl would be offered in two trim levels; Base and Luxury. While the base model is aptly loaded with pretty much everything you need at this price point, the Luxury trim unfolds an even better suite of opulence and creature comforts. Prices for the 2021 RX 450 hl are expected to kick around $51,000 for the base and $57,000 for the luxury model. Some of the highlighted features of both the trims are listed below:

Along with the pre-existing makeover, the 2021 Lexus RX 450 hl lineup also gets some revised features. The 2021 mode adds standard blind spot monitors with rear-cross traffic alert on both trim levels. Power-folding auto-dimming mirrors are also part of the standard fitment now along with an optional wireless charger are also on offer. 

Lexus has been known all over the world for producing very reliable cars just like its parent company, Toyota. It is so reliable that you can find it topping the list present anywhere among the top 10 in any most reliable cars or manufacturers list. This amount of popularity and reliability is very rare to find among the luxury car segment but that is exactly what Lexus has achieved over all these years. The Lexus RX 450hL is no exception to that trend and remains as a very reliable SUV just like as expected from a Lexus. The 2021 model will follow the same path laid out by all the previous generation Lexus RX 450hL's and is a great reliable SUS in the segment.

Reliability and Ownership Costs

The Lexus RX 450hL is a very easy car to maintain and run for a very long time compared to most of its rivals. The low running costs and great reliability of Lexus cars were among the many reasons which made the Lexus RX 450hL really popular and well known in the segment. The 2020 Lexus RX 450hL has a five-year cost to own of about $65,755 whereas the depreciation cost for the same is about $32,215.

Warranty

No hidden gem here and the Lexus RX 450hL has been known as one of the most dependable products in its segment. Apart from the rigid build and architecture, Lexus has not taken a step back in terms of providing a competitive warranty package with the Rx 450hL. In fact, the Lexus RX 450hL has one of the best warranty packages in the entire segment beating all of its rivals.

The Lexus gets a limited warranty for about 4 years or 50,000 miles followed by a powertrain warranty for 6 years or 70,000 miles. The Hybrid components get a longer warranty period of about 8 years or 100,000 miles along with complimentary scheduled maintenance for about 1 year or 10,000 miles which is lesser compared to its rivals but still good to have.

While the Luxury trim for the 2021 Lexus RX 450hl is not yet confirmed, we would suggest picking up the 2021 RX 450hl in the base model. At fewer dollars, the base trim gets most of the boxes ticked very nicely. Be it soft leatherette interiors, power seats or premium audio system. The base model has just the right amount of balance that you would seek for in this price and class. 

Is buying a used Lexus RX 450hL SUV Hybrid a good idea?

Buying a used Lexus RX 450hL is a great choice in the used car market. There are lots of options and many models available in the used market for the Lexus RX 450hL. This combined with the bulletproof reliability of Lexus and the extended warranty coverage makes the RX 45 hL a great choice in the used car market.

The 2021 Lexus RX 450hL is a carryover model and thus the engine would be similar to that on the 2020 model. Yes, you would be getting a 3.5-liter premium V6 engine with an electric motor that produces 308 hp and has 247 lb-ft of torque on offer. The power is sent to all the four wheels and the transmission duties are handled with the help of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) gearbox. Power and performance may not be the best in class but theres enough juice under the hood to pull the RX 450hl out of any situation.

The e-CVT is smooth in its operations and drops down almost instantaneously, just like any other CVT.

While the RX 450 hl’s 308 hp might be good-enough for it, but it interestingly falls short to its rivals in terms of power output. Among the lot, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 hybrid offers the best in class power output of 362 hp. Thanks to the Merc’s turbo inline-six engine. Not only on paper, the Merc’s powerful engine is also punchy and refined on the go. However, the same can not be said about all the cars in the lot here. 

2021 Lexus RX 450hL SUV Hybrid Acceleration and Braking Performance

The Lexus RX 450hL is a three-seater variant of the regular RX450h which means added dimensions and weight. And as both these share the same 3.5-liter premium V6 engine, the extra length and weight of the Lexus RX 450hL has affected its performance. The 2021 Lexus RX 450hL takes a total of 8.1 seconds to reach the 60 mph mark from a standstill.

The quarter-mile timings are at 15.3 seconds and the top speed of the 2021 RX 450hL is rated at 124 mph. All of these acceleration figures and the top speed of the 2021 Lexus RX 450hL SUV is not the best in the segment but still is adequate for such a massive SUV.

All these SUVs are large in dimensions and equally heavier thus performance is pretty much very similar. But the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Hybrid is the only exception that outperforms all of its rivals thanks to its more powerful engine and smaller dimensions as it has just two rows of seats compared to the likes of the RX 450hL, Ford Explorer, and Acura MDX all of which have three rows of seats.

Owning such a massive SUV with long dimensions and three rows of seats will affect a lot in terms of fuel economy. And that is exactly where the 2021 Lexus RX 450hL with its hybrid system takes the advantage of providing a very good fuel economy for such a massive SUV. The 2021 Lexus RX 450hL has a decent fuel economy of 29 mpg in the city followed by 28 mpg on the highway. Under mixed driving conditions, the RX also delivers a generous 29 combined mpg. 

Every SUV in this comparison uses hybrid technology and thus benefits from having better fuel economy than their gasoline counterparts even though being so large. The RX 450hL, Ford Explorer, and the Acura MDX Sport all have somewhat similar fuel efficiency figures. However, as the latter two have significantly bigger fuel tank capacity at 19.3 gallons and 19.4 gallons respectively, they perform much better in terms of overall fuel economy and range.

One thing which Lexus has really mastered over all these years and which it is widely known for is it's luxurious, well built, and high-quality interior. Quality levels and built inside the cabin is on the top level with the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Space and comfort is never a concern with the 2021 Lexus RX 450hL as it offers loads of space both on the front and second row of seats. 

There is a third row of seats but still, it is best suited for children or shorter adults for only a short period of time. Step inside the cabin and you are greeted by an attire drenched with leatherette/leather and wooden inserts. However, on some parts like the lower half of the center-tunnel, you will get to see some nasty plastics. The seats are wide and comfortable with good support and also offer 8-way power-adjustability with heating and ventilation at the front. The rear seat too has a very comfortable recline angle for longer journeys.

Not the best in class but the RX 450hl also offers ample passenger room at the front seats. Things are a bit cramped at the second row though when compared to its rivals. The other three-row SUVs here like the Ford Explorer Hybrid and Acura MDX offer more generous space inside for occupants to stretch themselves. The Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Hybrid is the only SUV in this segment that does not offer a third row of seats but still, it makes good use of the extra space. Not only does the Merc feel spacious with plenty of room around but also offers a whopping cargo-carrying capacity of 33.3. In contrast, the Lexus RX 450hl here has the least standard cargo capacity of 7.5 cu-fts. However, you can fold the third row down for an enhanced storage space.

How's the 2021 Lexus RX 450hL SUV Hybrid's infotainment system?

With the 2021 RX 450hL SUV, Lexus is finally making both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration as standard now along with lots of other features. You also get Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi integration, HomeLink, Amazon Alexa capability, SiriusXM HD radio, and a 15 speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system.

The touchscreen infotainment system which sits on top of the dashboard is now increased in terms of size at 12.3 inches and can now also be controlled with the help of a new Remote Touchpad. The infotainment system is not the sharpest out there, but its good responses and clutter-free interface makes it very easy to use. 

If you see the Lexus cars from the last decade and compare them with the current generation cars, there is no surprise that you will be surprised about the change in their design language. Lexus has redefined the Japanese thought process when it comes to designing cars which means that gone is the plain bland design.

It is now replaced by striking and aggressively looking elements present all over the car and the Lexus RX 450hL is one such SUV. Thanks to its recent 2020 updates though. It is a good thing of course as the RX 450hL is the only stylish SUV in the segment which does not look boring. There is a lot happening with the RX 450hL's exteriors and it easily catches your eye on the road which is also partly thanks to its massive proportions.

Road presence is one of the many reasons for customers buying an SU these days instead of a conventional Sedan. Road presence is not a problem with all these SUVs as their massive dimensions are more than enough for that purpose. But is the Lexus RX 450hL which is the most striking, aggressive, and exciting to look at compared to the other rivals which look bland and simple like any conventional SUV. Thanks to Lexus’s compelling use of a longer silhouette wrapped with bold highlights and a significant chrome-treatment around. On the move, the RX does feel very premium and expensive. 

The 2021 Lexus RX 450hL SUV is the only Lexus on the planet to get the entire suite of safety features and driver assistance technologies that Lexus has to offer. The 2019 Lexus RX 450hL scored a five-star rating in the NHTSA crash tests along with a score of Good in all the parameters tested by IIHS and also was featured in the 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick. All these achievements of the 2019 Lexus RX 450hL are a great example of how safe Lexus has built the RX 450hL. The 2020 model was not tested by either the NHTSA or the IIHS and the 2021 model is not tested too but given the results achieved by the 2019 RX 450hL, we are very expecting it to be similar which means very safe and solid. 

The safety features onboard the 2021 Lexus RX 450hL are quite extensive which includes the likes of 10 dual-stage SRS airbags, engine immobilizer, tire pressure monitoring system, traction control system, stability control system, pre-collision safety system, anti-lock braking system (ABS), and auto-leveling headlights. The driver assistance technologies that come with the 2021 Lexus RX 450hL includes Lexus Enform Safety Connect, Lane Departure Warning, Smart Stop Technology, Rain Sensing Wipers, and Low light pedestrian detection.

2021 Lexus RX 450hL SUV Hybrid Vs 2020 Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid

The 2021 Lexus RX 450hL faces competition from all over the world. The Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid is a rival from the American automotive industry and to be honest it is equally competitive and well made like the Lexus RX 450hL. It might not be as luxurious as the RX 450hL and might lack the appeal too but it has many things going for it.

The Ford Explorer is more spacious with a usable third row of seats and also has the advantage of being a bold American SUV.

2021 Lexus RX 450hL SUV Hybrid Vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Hybrid

The next rival to the 2021 Lexus RX 450hL is from the European continent to be precise from Germany. The Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Hybrid might be the toughest competitor to the RX 450hL but sadly it loses out on the third row of seats which the Lexus offers but still the GLE 450 makes good use of the space by offering a massive cargo carrying capacity whereas the Lexus RX 450hL just offers average space in the third row of seats.

2021 Lexus RX 450hL SUV Hybrid Vs 2020 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid

The Acura MDX Sport Hybrid is the rival for the Lexus RX 450hL arising from the same country which is Japan. Both share lots of similarities like the CVT gearbox because they have Japanese philosophies when it comes to manufacturing cars. But it is the Lexus which looks better, has more features, and is far more luxurious than the Acura MDX.

The Acura MDX though strikes back with a very useful third row of seats which is not the same with the Lexus RX 450hL.

The Lexus RX 450hL has been very popular over all these years and it is for absolutely good reasons. It sold in good numbers not only because of its bulletproof reliability and Toyota roots but also because of its looks, features, and the luxury it offered which proved to be one hell of a package for customers wanting a premium SUV. Yes, it has its drawbacks like its massive proportions, average driving dynamics, and less space in the third row of seats but it satisfies what a customer would want from an SUV in this segment. The Lexus RX 450hL is well built both on the inside and outside with lots of high-quality materials, spacious and luxurious interiors, lots of features, and looks stunning. Cover it all with a sumptuous ride quality and cabin and huge road presence which is what a customer needs at this price point.