Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Lexus RX SUV - MPG, running costs & CO2

Sophisticated hybrid powertrains make the rather large RX surprisingly efficient

Carbuyer Rating

4.1 out of 5

Owners Rating

5.0 out of 5

Read owner reviews
MPG, running costs & CO2 Rating

4.5 out of 5

Being a luxury SUV, the Lexus RX is not exactly the most affordable new car to buy – it starts from around £60k, while the RX 450h+ costs from £65,000. Thankfully, Lexus offers the RX with a variety of fuel-sipping hybrid powertrains, meaning it shouldn’t be too expensive to run.

Lexus NX SUV MPG & CO2

The self-charging hybrid 350h is the least expensive RX to buy and is claimed to average around 42mpg on the combined WLTP test cycle – CO2 emissions stand at 143g/km. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The plug-in hybrid 450h+ utilises the same 2.5-litre petrol engine as its self-charging sibling, however, it also gets a larger electric motor and two batteries. Using the larger 18.1kWh unit, the plug-in RX can travel around 40 miles on electric power alone – slightly less than the equivalent BMW X5 xDrive45e, but a figure most drivers should be able to achieve with careful driving in warm conditions.

What really sets the plug-in hybrid Lexus apart from its competition, though, is its second battery which kicks in whenever the larger unit is depleted, turning the car into an old-school self-charging hybrid. From what we’re aware, this is an industry first. Keep both batteries charged up – a full charge will take around two hours and 45 minutes when connected to a home wallbox – and you’ll return up to 256.8mpg. This also means CO2 emissions are as low as 24g/km, putting the 450h+ in the eight per cent Benefit-in-Kind company car tax bracket.

Finally, the range-topping RX 500h uses a turbocharged 2.4-litre self-charging hybrid, and as you’d expect being the most powerful model in the range, it’s also the least efficient. Buyers can expect to return around 34.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 189g/km.

Insurance groups

Unfortunately, no matter which version of the Lexus RX you pick, all will be rather expensive to insure. While insurance groups for the new car are yet to be revealed, the old RX straddled groups 34-42.

Warranty

As standard, all Lexus models come with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, with hybrid and electrical components guaranteed for five years. However, just like with its parent brand, Toyota, if you choose to get your car serviced at a main dealer each and every year, this can extend up to 10 years and 100,000 miles.

Servicing

All versions of the new RX require servicing every 10,000 miles or annually, whichever comes sooner. This could add up to more regular servicing than models from some rivals – BMW uses a system whereby sensors within the vehicle determine when a service is required, rather than sticking to fixed intervals.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Citroen C4 and e-C4 get a striking redesign and big price cut for 2025
Citroen C4 front quarter
News
9 Dec 2024

Citroen C4 and e-C4 get a striking redesign and big price cut for 2025

Toyota RAV4 review – a sensible hybrid SUV with a long warranty
Toyota RAV4 review
In-depth reviews
18 Nov 2024

Toyota RAV4 review – a sensible hybrid SUV with a long warranty

Renault Rafale review – a practical coupe-SUV that punches upwards
2024 Renault Rafale 300 front quarter
In-depth reviews
18 Nov 2024

Renault Rafale review – a practical coupe-SUV that punches upwards

The best company cars 2024
Best company cars
Best cars
15 Nov 2024

The best company cars 2024

Most Popular

Jaguar Type 00 concept revealed: a bold electric future for the British brand
Jaguar Type 00
News
3 Dec 2024

Jaguar Type 00 concept revealed: a bold electric future for the British brand

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
6 Dec 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Vauxhall Frontera review – hybrid or electric, it’s up to you
Vauxhall Frontera front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
5 Dec 2024

Vauxhall Frontera review – hybrid or electric, it’s up to you

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024