Road Beat: 2019 Lexus RX450hL - Bigger size, more space, less fuel

Going into its fourth model year of this fourth generation RX, the Lexus RX450hL enters its second year with little revision. But since this is the first time around for this new expanded RX model for the Road Beat, it needs to be discussed as an entirely new model.

RX450hL was created by extending the body in the rear area by 4.3 inches (why 4.3 inches? Because it was lengthened by 110 mm which works out to 4.3 inches) and creating a more upright tailgate window to increase third row passenger headroom so that third row seating would be as hospitable as the second-row seating. You can see the extra length in the third window exterior glass, it’s longer and sleeker. Lexus press materials claimed the third-row seating would have the comfort and luxury as the middle row seating.

That might be the case if I were 5’6” tall, 130 pounds and under the age of 20. I happened to be 5’9” and 145 pounds and I haven’t seen the 20s in about 4 decades. The third-row seat cushion is too short and harder in density to come close to the second-row seating comfort. And my head just touched the headliner. Consider the third-row size and age limited. Ingress and egress were not my favorite activity. Anyone who states their age in double digits that begins in a three or higher number, fuhgeddaboudit. If you are in a pinch for passenger capacity, those seated in the third row will feel the pinch. That’s about it for the negatives

RX in “L” form now measure 197 inches which is a growth of the aforementioned 4 inches from my last fourth generation RX350 review and nine inches over my last RX hybrid test. But both those models were five passenger CUVs. The new “L” model is a 5+2. Wheelbase remains 110 inches and since length stretches out to 197 inches, it’s pushing the beginning of full-size vehicles. Width is svelte at 75 inches. RX still stands 68 inches tall. But the new-found length actually improve RX’s looks with added sleekness. If compared to generation three, the “L” is a noticeably bigger CUV. Co-efficient of drag is a slick 0.33 for an SUV/CUV. It’s as slick as it looks.

While the power system is familiar, there have been some significant improvements. The 3.5L DOHC, 24 valve V-6 has received D-4S direct injection along with port injection. The engine runs a sky-high 13:1 compression ratio and can Atkinson cycle. It cranks out 259 hp at 6,000 rpm and 247 pounds of twist at 4,600 rpm. But it’s not done. There is an electric motor system, one adding power to the front axle and a second motor powering the rear axle when AWD is needed.
While my tester was an AWD model, only an electric motor powers the rear axles, there is no direct mechanical connection from the front to the rear, no transfer case and no drive shaft. Even though the electric motors have high power outputs (165 hp on the front and 67 hp to the rear axle), max power output to the two motors is limited to 49 hp as that is the max output of the Nickel-metal-hydride battery so total hp production is limited to 308 hp. On the front axle the engine and electric are meshed by a CVT tranny.

Performance in spite of carrying around 4,905 pounds of curb weight is still much improved over my last RX350h Road Beat, notwithstanding the larger size and weight. Zero-60 mph arrives is a very quick 6.45 seconds and passing times reflect this new-found power with 50-70 mph acceleration runs of 3.31 and 4.51 seconds on a level road and up a 6-7 percent grade respectively. Compared to my last RX hybrid test (6/14/15; it was a third generation) performance numbers have improved significantly. It posted numbers of 6.75/3.72/5.75 seconds. This new hybrid also out performed the current generation RX (FWD version) which posted numbers of 6.74/3.47/4.78 seconds. And this new RX Hybrid is not only larger, it is portlier weighing some 700 pounds over the FWD last tested. That demonstrates the newfound power of this new hybrid. Lexus lists the 0-60 mph time for this RX hybrid at 8.1 seconds. Ridiculous. Their test must have been done up a 10 percent grade in a 50-knot headwind.

EPA rates the new RX hybrid at 29/28/29 mpg city/highway/combined. On a level highway you can expect a couple mpg more as this RX recorded an average of 31 mpg in a two-way run at 70 mph. While the engine continued to run during the entire highway mileage test it stabilized at just 1,500 rpm at 70 mph. That is one slow turning engine. But in suburban and urban driving the RX only averaged 24 mpg, but in my last test of this fourth generation model an RX350 FWD averaged only 22 mpg. Fuel capacity is just 17.2 gallons.

Handling is quite sharp thanks to state-of-the-art MacPherson struts up front and a double wishbone system in the rear. Steering is a well weighted electric power rack is just 2.7 turns lock to lock and with optional 20X7.5-inch alloys shod with 235/55X20 tires, the RX exhibits strong grip and a crisp turn in, able to change directions with smooth transitions without complaint from its large weight penalty. It handles quite sporty. Turning circle is 38.8 feet curb to curb and improvement over my last RX.

Ride is typical Lexus and that means extreme quiet and a well-controlled softness. Actually, it was a bit firmer, but still Lexus plush. Of course, there was no engine, wind or road noise and during pure electric operation it gets ethereally smooth and quiet.

Safety consists of a full suite of electronic interventions in steering, lane changing, braking, stability and speed control. LED head lights and auto high beam were fabulous.

Inside my Lux edition were Semi-aniline leather seats that were very comfortable in the first and second rows. The third row was already discussed. Instrumentation was excellent for a hybrid as when sport mode is activated so is the big analog tach that matches the speedo on the right. A trip computer/ info center resides between them. Front and rear seats and steering wheel are heated and the front chairs are also cooled.

Center stack is topped by a 12-inch NAV (and radio) screen. It has the Lexus mouse and the sooner Lexus uses a cat on that mouse the better. HVAC is fortunately knobs and buttons.

Pricing for the RX450hL Lux starts at $54,655. Options which included a blind spot monitor and full surround camera, those heated and ventilated seats, the fabulous triple beam LED auto leveling headlights and the Mark Levinson Sound System brought the total to $62,740 plus $1,025 for the boat from Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan pushes the Monroney to $63,785. I bought my first home in Sherman Oaks, California for 30,000. If I still owned it I could easily afford the Lexus.

Specifications
Price $50,00 to about $64,000
Engine-conventional
3.5L DOHC 24 valve V-6 259 hp @ 6,000 rpm
-247 ft.-lb. of torque @ 4,600 rpm
Hybrid system
Two electric motors Front axle 165 hp
-Rear axle 67 hp
-Battery Nickel metal hydride max output 49 hp
Total system combined power 308 hp
Transmission
Electronic CVT
Configuration
Transverse mounted front engine/front wheel drive/ all-wheel drive
Dimensions
Wheelbase 109.8 inches
Length 196.9 inches
Height 67.7 inches
Width 74.6 inches
Weight (AWD) 4,905
GVWR 6,261 pounds
Track (f/r) 64.4/64.0 inches
Ground clearance 7.9 inches
Tow capacity 3,500 pounds
Weight distribution (f/r) 58/42 percent
Fuel capacity 17.2 gallons
Seat belts (passenger capacity) 6-7
Wheels (std/0pt) 18X7.5/20X7.5-inch alloys
Tires (std/opt) 235/65X18/235/55X20
Turning circle 38.8 feet
Steering lock to lock 2.70 turns
Coefficient of drag 0.33
Performance
0-60 mph 6.45 seconds
50-70 mph 3.31 seconds
50-70 mph uphill 4.51 seconds
Top Speed Electronically limited to 112 mph
Fuel economy EPA rated at 29/28/29 city/highway/combined mpg (AWD). Expect 24 mpg in rural country driving with some stop and go and 31 mpg on the highway at legal speeds.