Hybrid crossovers make a ton of sense, especially if you’re looking for something a little luxurious. One of the biggest concerns that people have, however, is to do with reliability. When you spend a ton on a crossover, you don’t want it to spend more time with the mechanic than it does with you.
In terms of reliability, its pretty widely accepted that Japanese brands are consistently at the top of the stack. Automakers like Toyota and Honda have built their whole empire on the reliability of their cars. This reputation definitely carries over into the luxury market.
Exploring the luxury hybrid crossovers from Japan, we’ve found the model that scores higher than all others. We dive into the opinions of some verified owners and explore the costs associated with keeping it in running order. We also detail how to configure the crossover to get the most value for your money.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed, J.D. Power, RepairPal, CarEdge, the EPA, Consumer Reports, and Cars.com.
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Lexus’ Compact RX Hybrid Is One of the Most Reliable Luxury SUVs on Sale
It comes as no surprise that Lexus has the most reliable Japanese luxury crossover for 2025. The brand’s reputation for building sturdy vehicles is something that they have slowly crafted over the decades that they have been on the market. When looking at their SUVs in particular, the RX has a fantastic reputation for being well-built and long-lasting.
Reliability Scores
J.D. Power is one of the highest authorities when it comes to reliability. This is because it collates reviews from verified owners to determine the score awarded to vehicles. The RX has some pretty glowing reviews, which is why it is one of the highest rated compact SUVs models when it comes to its overall score. In particular, the RX receives an 85 out of 100 for quality and reliability, which helps rocket it ahead of its competition.
When looking at owner reviews, we find that the hybrid Lexus RX is pretty well-loved by those who drive it. Owners are also generally repeat buyers who were impressed by the reliability of previous models that they owned. They point to the fact that they have rarely had to do anything beyond scheduled maintenance to keep their Lexus crossover running smoothly.
It is unique to have those three characteristics in one vehicle. Reliability: I had 11 years RX350 with zero problems. Just regular maintenance. This was a reason I purchased a new one…
Maintenance Costs
Having a car with a reputation for not having any major issues is fantastic. Sooner or later, though, every car needs maintenance and repairs. That’s why it’s important to note just how expensive the running costs of a vehicle are. Generally, maintenance costs on Lexus SUVs are much lower than they are for the average luxury vehicle, with costs being more comparable to something mainstream. This seems to be the case for the RX as well.
Finding data regarding the maintenance costs of the hybrid RX is not an easy task, given the fact that it has only been on the market for a couple of years. However, we can get some clues from other models. According to CarEdge, the gas-only RX 350 costs around $7,587 to maintain in its first ten years. This is $6,565 lower than what you’d expect to pay for the average luxury SUV.
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You Have a Choice of Three Sturdy and Efficient Powertrains in the RX
Shot of the engine bay of a 2025 Lexus 500h
Powertrains are some of the biggest indicators of reliability, with the engine and electric motors being two places where you’d least want issues to occur. Lexus offers three different choices when it comes to the powertrain that motivates your RX, with two being traditional hybrids and one being a plug-in hybrid. While all good, some are more reliable than others.
Performance Specifications
|
Model |
RX 350h |
RX 500h |
RX 450h+ |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Powertrain |
2.5-Liter Hybrid Inline-Four |
2.4-Liter Turbocharged Hybrid Inline-Four |
2.5-Liter Plug-In Hybrid Inline-Four |
|
Transmission |
CVT |
6-Speed Automatic |
CVT |
|
Horsepower |
246 HP |
366 HP |
304 HP |
|
Torque |
233 LB-FT |
406 LB-FT |
N/A |
|
Driveline |
AWD |
AWD |
AWD |
Outlined above are the three layouts that you can have your hybrid RX in. While other luxury compact SUVs look to blend comfort and performance, the RX leans heavily in to the former and seems to push the latter to the wayside. It isn’t slow off the line, with the RX 450h+ going zero to sixty in six seconds and the RX 500h doing the run in 5.5 seconds, but that isn’t really what defines performance.
In any guise, you’ll be treated to one of the plushest rides on the market, with the suspension effortlessly absorbing any bumps in the road. However, if you’re looking to put your foot down and swing around corners, you might find yourself a little disappointed. The 500h, which comes with the F Sport package, is the most disheartening, with handling left virtually unchanged over the base model.
The 450h+ offers the best balance of efficiency and performance. However, plug-in hybrids are generally less reliable than traditional hybrids due to the fact that they have so many more critical points that can fail. The 500h also uses forced induction, which can lead to slightly lower levels of reliability. While these powertrains may still be above average, the naturally aspirated 350h is your best bet if you’re looking to maximize reliability.
Fuel Efficiency And Range
|
Model |
City |
Highway |
Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
|
RX 350h |
37 MPG |
34 MPG |
36 MPG |
|
RX 500h |
27 MPG |
28 MPG |
27 MPG |
|
RX 450h+ |
36 MPG |
33 MPG |
34 MPG |
The 350h gets excellent fuel economy, matching or besting its direct rivals in the compact luxury hybrid segment. The difference between city and highway driving isn’t that large either. The 500h sacrifices some economy for its additional power. We’re not sure that the 10 miles per gallon you lose when you go with the 500h is worth it when you consider the fact that the RX isn’t much of a performance SUV in any guise.
The 450h+ gets some pretty decent fuel economy when driving in traditional hybrid mode, coming close to the less powerful 350h. On top of this, it comes fitted with a 18.1-kWh battery pack and a 6.6-kWh onboard AC charger. This gives the crossover an estimated 37 miles of electric-only driving range. When hooked up to a 240 volt connection, Lexus claims that it can be charged in about two and a half hours.
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The RX Is One of the Most Affordable Compact Luxury Crossovers
Front 3/4 shot of of 2025 Lexus RX 500h
Not only is the RX easy on your wallet by keeping maintenance costs and fuel costs low, it is also one of the most affordable hybrid options in its class. While it may not be as performance oriented as some other choices out there, if comfort and high-quality materials are at the top of your priorities, then the RX Hybrid offers some excellent value for money.
2025 Trims And Pricing
|
Model |
Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
|
350h |
$52,475 |
|
350h Premium |
$54,725 |
|
350h F Sport Design |
$57,055 |
|
350h Premium+ |
$58,215 |
|
350h Luxury |
$63,270 |
|
500h F Sport Performance |
$66,150 |
|
450h+ Luxury |
$72,610 |
Most other direct competitors of the Lexus RX Hybrid have starting prices a couple of thousand dollars higher. Even more affordable models like the Lincoln Corsair Hybrid and Volvo XC60 Hybrid are more expensive. Its stylish design, luxe interior, and comfortable ride make it feel like a pretty good deal at this price point. It also comes pretty well-equipped from the word go.
For the 2025 model year, Lexus has made a couple of changes to the RX Hybrid. Firstly, they have added the 350h F Sport Design trim. This adds all the aesthetic elements that you find on the F Sport models but without any performance upgrades. A special edition 500h Black Line model is also on offer, priced at $68,650. This limited run model features Incognito gray paint along with blacked out exterior trim pieces and orange brake calipers.
The Best Bang-For-Your-Buck Trim
In our minds, the 500h F Sport Performance just doesn’t make sense. The RX doesn’t really offer any thrills, even with all the added performance gear, and is better suited to those looking for comfort above all else. The 450h+ is also just too expensive to feel truly worth the money, unless you really want the electric range that it offers.
In our minds, the 350h best represents what the RX Hybrid aims to achieve. We’d also go for the Premium+ model as it adds the luxuries that you’d want on a crossover like this. Leather upholstery, ambient lighting, 21-inch alloy wheels, and a larger 14-inch infotainment system are all standard on this model. It offers a ton of luxury for a price that is really hard to argue with.
