Lexus RX 450h

Our verdict

The best production hybrid SUV. Actually the ONLY production hybrid SUV. Expensive and slightly anodyne, not to mention an anachronism.

Comfort

Actually very comfortable - the RX450h has new independent rear suspension replacing the old torsion-bar set-up, so the improved version is wonderful at wafting about - especially thanks to a near-silent V6 and a measure of hybrid power when you're tooling around in town. At least for a couple of miles. If you have a full charge. And if you're careful.

Performance

Impressive for an SUV - with a pair of synchronous AC electric motors and a 3.5-litre V6 working together, the RX450h stumps up 295bhp to play with. The extra electric hit helps the 2,700kg SUV-lite to 62mph in just 7.9 seconds and on to 124mph - and it feels brawny in the mid-range and punchy at pick up.

Cool

If you live in a very hybrid-conscious area then they'll know the difference - but otherwise it's a strangely bland mix of big car and small-ish SUV. Lexus' new ‘L-finesse' design language gets a workout and the RX looks the better for it, but it's not a car for petrolheads. 

Quality

Slightly weird and uncomfortable-looking asymmetric dash doesn't hide the fact that this is one well-screwed together car. The shutlines are perfect, the new ‘remote-touch' multimedia interface trick and very cool, the general feel very precise. But it struggles to have character. 

Handling

A new ‘active stabiliser' in the rear newly independent suspension tidies things up immeasurably versus the older RX400h - you can genuinely hustle this thing along. The air-sprung system works well too, though in the UK we aren't offered the active stabilisation in conjunction with the air springs, even though it's possible. Bah. It's good - but you won't get out of bed early on a Sunday just to sample it.

Practicality

Seating for five, decent boot, 4x4 capability if you need it (though the road tyres won't help much) - there's a lot to be said for the RX450h's practicality. Though it won't stun.  

Running costs

This is where things get really tricky. The RX450h costs a bomb, from £41,600 to about £55k for the SE-L Premium. Trouble is, they are well-specified and benefit from several tax breaks, as well as being capable of achieving 40-odd mpg - meaning that month by month they aren't actually bad to run. Cheaper, in some cases, than SUVs in the class below. And it has the C02 of a supermini at 148g/km.