Lexus RX 450h rewrites rules on SUV fuel economy

A luxury SUV weighing more than two tonnes isn’t a natural choice for a fuel economy challenge, but then the Lexus RX 450h is far from being a typical vehicle. Yes, there’s a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine under the bonnet, but as an element of the advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain, it contributes to the kind of fuel efficiency and low emissions other manufacturers, so far, have only been able to dream about.

Taking part in last week’s (September 30 – 1 October) FleetWorld MPG Marathon, the full hybrid Lexus returned an average 54.75mpg over more than 350 miles of driving on regular A and B-class roads, a figure that marks a 20 per cent improvement on its official combined cycle figure.

The results, achieved by Lexus’s driving team of David Crouch and Richard Lacey, serve to silence doubts about the abilities of full hybrid vehicles such as the RX 450h to match their official consumption figures in real-world driving.

Outstanding fuel economy is just one dimension of the new RX 450h’s appeal. Launched this summer, the vehicle delivers CO2 emissions of just 148g/km, far below the level achieved by any rival models, and maintains Lexus’s unmatched reputation for luxury, comfort, reliability and the country’s best customer service – as acknowledged by nine successive J.D. Power and Associates awards.