Lexus RX450h SUV

Drive

The Lexus RX 450h has a powerful 3.5-litre V6 engine connected to two electric motors (one driving the front axle, the other the rear) that help to cut emissions and improve fuel economy. There's 295bhp available, which is enough to get the Lexus from 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds, which is impressive for a large 4x4. It's speedy in a straight line, but rivals like the Volkswagen Touareg and the Land Rover Discovery offer steering with more weight and precision.

Comfort

If you drive around town at low speeds, then Lexus RX 450h will use electric power alone, and make totally silent progress. It doesn't make much noise when the engine kicks in, either, as the interior is well insulated. The suspension  feels a little firm, though - especially on top-spec SE-L and SE-L Premier models. They are set up slightly differently and can be a little bumpy over rough roads.  

Reliability

Ten airbags, stability control and extra tough, laminated side glass all come as standard, while top-of-the-range RX 450hs come with adaptive cruise control that monitors the distance between you and the car in front, as well as a pre-crash safety system that senses an impact and prepares the car for a shunt before it happens. Build quality and reliability have always been strong points for Lexus, and the fact the firm was named the best manufacturer in 2010's JD Power Satisfaction Survey speaks volumes.

Practicality

The RX 450h seems to have conquered the common hybrid issue of the battery eating into boot space. The Lexus' rear battery is mounted beneath the boot floor, so there's no apparent space sacrifice. That means that there's a credible 496 litres of space available. The rear seats fold in a 40/20/40 configuration, which increases the car's flexibility. They also slide back and forth to maximise legroom or boot space where necessary. Storage areas are plentiful and the front armrest has a couple of cubby-holes inside.

Value for money

Next to rival 4x4s, the RX 450h looks pricey. As with other cars from Lexus, you can have a car with a more desirable badge for less, like the Land Rover Discovery or an Audi Q7. But, as always, the trade-off is that the Lexus gets loads of standard equipment. Heated and electrically adjustable leather seats, a Bluetooth phone connection and a CD auto-changer are some of the luxuries included as standard. Resale values are strong for the moment, as the RX 450h is a relatively new model. Earlier versions are becoming cheap now, though, so it may not hold its value too well in the long term.

Running costs

Claimed running costs are impressive for a car the size of the RX 450h. Lexus reckons that it will return 44.8mpg on average. Emissions of 148g/km keep Road Tax costs to a low £125, but an insurance group of 41 is pretty high.