Best Reviewed
Hybrid SUVs
- Most fuel-efficient hybrid SUV 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid *Est. $30570
- Best family-sized hybrid SUV 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid *Est. $38140
- Best luxury hybrid SUV 2011 Lexus RX 450h *Est. $44735
- Best hybrid SUV for towing 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid *Est. $60565
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Best luxury hybrid SUV
- Excellent fuel economy for an SUV
- Powerful hybrid powertrain
- Minimal road noise
- Good safety-test performance
- Available all-wheel drive
- Luxurious interior
- Retains value well
- High base price
- Cost premium over conventional Lexus RX
- No third row
- Uninvolving driving dynamics
Free Price Quote for 2011 Lexus RX 450hThe 2011 Lexus RX 450h (Base MSRP: $44,735 to $46,325) is the best reviewed luxury hybrid SUV; in fact, it gets more overall recommendations than any hybrid SUV, period. Experts agree that it combines the ideals of hybrid efficiency and luxury well, with a 30 mpg combined fuel-economy rating from the Environmental Protection Agency, plenty of power and high fit-and-finish for the interior. Reviewers also like the RX 450h's composed and quiet ride quality. Other well-reviewed SUVs like the 2011 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid (Base MSRP: $67,700) are sportier and have edgier styling but cost far more. The RX 450h is a two-row SUV that seats five passengers. The cheaper 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Base MSRP: $38,140 to $43,795) gets similar fuel economy and seats seven passengers, though it does not carry the luxury cachet of the Lexus.
Unchanged for 2011
The 2011 RX 450h remains unchanged from the previous 2010 model year. See our full report on the 2010 Lexus RX 450h (LINK) for a complete analysis on what the experts have to say.
The EPA estimates the RX 450h gets fuel economy of 32 mpg city/28 mpg highway/30 mpg combined. This makes the RX 450h the second-most fuel efficient SUV available today, coming in behind the cheaper 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid (Base MSRP: $30,570 to $34,830), which has a 32 mpg combined rating.
Lexus RX 450h safety ratings and features
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has tested the 2011 Lexus RX 450h, and awards it a Top Safety Pick designation. This means that the RX 450h was given the best possible rating of Good in front-, side-, rear- and rollover-crash tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the RX 450h 4 stars out of 5 for overall safety. The 450h receives 4 stars for frontal-crash and rollover-resistance tests, and the full 5 stars for side-impact protection. Standard safety equipment includes front airbag, front- and rear-seat side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, and front knee airbags. Antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability control are also included.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org has purchased, driven and ranked the 2011 RX 450h against most other available SUVs, hybrids and otherwise. Editors also rank it for factors like reliability, owner satisfaction and depreciation.
Review: SUVs, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
2. Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com likes the Lexus RX hybrid's polished and luxurious ride, posh interior, and its combination of power and efficiency. Editors find the price tag to be rather high, however.
Review: 2011 Lexus RX 450h, Editors of Edmunds.com
3. IIHS.org
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety names the 2011 Lexus RX 450h a Top Safety Pick, which means the SUV earns the highest rating of Good for front-, side-, rear- and rollover-crash protection.
Review: 2011 Lexus RX, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
4. SaferCar.gov
The 2011 Lexus RX450h earns an overall safety rating of 4 stars out 5. Rollover-resistance and front-crash tests both result in ratings of 4 stars out of 5, while side-impact protection gets the highest 5-star rating.
Review: 2011 Lexus RX 450h, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The 2011 Lexus RX 450h has the second-best fuel economy of any SUV, coming in only behind the Ford Escape Hybrid. The RX 450h is estimated to deliver a combined 30 mpg, according to EPA estimates.
Review: 2011 Hybrid Vehicles, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy
The 2011 Lexus RX 450h is unchanged from the previous model year. See our full report on the 2010 RX 450h for a detailed analysis on the model and links to many expert sources.
Review: 2010 Lexus RX 450h, Editors of ConsumerSearch, April 2010
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