The 2011 Lexus RX 450h is Lexus's top midsize luxury SUV with hybrid technology. While it was once the class of the segment, buyers who purchase the 2011 RX 450h will be making a few compromises.
Lexus's hybrid technology affords both positives and negatives for buyers. While the technology allows for all-electric propulsion when speeds are less than 25 mph, reviewers complain that in a luxury SUV, the regenerative braking should be more refined and less "grabby" than it is in the 2011 model. Likewise, acceleration requires a pause for the hybrid system to engage the 3.5-liter V6 powertrain.
The positives are that the city mileage of the 2011 Lexus RX 450h ranges from 30 to 32 mpg with front-wheel drive and 28 mpg with an available all-wheel-drive system. Acceleration is fair, if not impressive, at a little more than 7 seconds to get from 0-60 mph. That is combined with a suspension system that reviewers term comfortable and plush, rather than extremely precise.
That comfortable feel is augmented by an interior that offers quality leather seats for both front and rear occupants. The driver and front occupant benefit from a center stack that includes a trackball-like control system for audio, climate, and navigation options. Reviewers note that this is intuitive to learn.
For a five-seat crossover, one of the prime selling points of the 2011 Lexus RX 450h is its cargo capacity. It offers 10 more cubic feet with rear seats up than competitors like the Cadillac SRX and 20 more cubic feet with the rear seats folded for a total of 80 cubic feet.
A lot of features are available as options in the RX 450h, including a heads-up display that transmits speed and other information to a windshield overlay for reduced distractions and a voice-activated navigation system. Changes for 2011 include a removed compass in SUVs with the optional nav system and a 12-volt outlet moved outside of the center console.
Buyers looking for exterior differences between the Lexus RX 350 and the RX 450h will find that they're minimal; the Lexus logos on the RX 450h are trimmed in blue, the grille and bumper are more aggressive, and LED headlights with blue tint are optional. Like the other RXs, the 2011 Lexus RX 450h is more squat, with a wider track than previous models that makes it look a lot more like a station wagon than a crossover.
Antilock brakes and traction control come standard, as do 10 airbags. Front airbags for the driver and front passenger as well as knee-level airbags, side airbags, and side curtain airbags protect both rows of occupants. Optional safety features include a pre-collision system that automatically brakes when the 2011 Lexus RX 450h is moving too quickly relative to other traffic and a speed-sensitive cruise control system.
The 2011 Lexus RX 450h is a minor update for Lexus, offering a midsize luxury SUV that gets decent fuel mileage at the expense of some acceleration issues and regenerative braking feel. Interior and safety features make it a standout in the hybrid luxury crossover class, and savvy buyers will recognize the value of its class-leading interior capacity figures.
I am trying to determine the "actual cash value" for a Lexus 450H for an insurance settlement. In particular, I want to be sure the last two year increase in used car values and the impact of recent high gas prices have been properly figured in arriving at a settlement figure. The CarGurus price trend web page indicates the average value for my 2011 Lexus 450H is $17,156. My offer from insurance adjuster is $12,645.
I have continued to lower the price and still never had a phone call or email or text from anyone. My prices have always been good, this car has a very good mechanical warranty is in excellent condition interior and exterior. Never any accidents and the list can go on & on. PLEASE REFUND MY MONEY PAID. THANK YOU, RICHARD BLOOMFIELD
Hello, I just bought 2011 Lexus RX450h with 100,000 miles on it. I heard engine could be costly since it has two. Is there any regular maintenance you would suggest in order to have engine running with no problem? I used to own Camry, new to luxury cars, should I use premium gas or mid grade is ok?
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Wireless headphones · 6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · Rear audio: separate rear audio · XM with NavTraffic satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 15
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.9 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather and wood
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Easy entry: power driver seat · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 1 · Parking sensors: front and rear · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 165 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 123 · Electric Motor Torque: 247 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 245 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 234 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4800
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
Starter Type: motor/generator
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Enform · Infotainment screen size: 7 in. · Video system: DVD player
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth · Ventilated: front
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Wireless headphones · 6 disc CD/DVD in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · Rear audio: separate rear audio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 9
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.9 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Easy entry: power driver seat · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Parking sensors: front and rear · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: in-floor · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 165 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 123 · Electric Motor Torque: 247 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 245 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 234 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4800
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
Starter Type: motor/generator
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Enform · Infotainment screen size: 7 in. · Video system: DVD player
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth · Ventilated: front
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Stability and Traction
Accident Avoidence Systems: pre-collision safety system
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: remote operation