2014 Lexus RX 450h hybrid continues the evolution of the groundbreaking vehicle, which offers an impressive fuel economy and off-road capabilities. Case in point, the RX 450h hybrid offers the performance of 295 combined system horsepower, with substantial torque at all speeds.
Convenience and ease of use make another leap in the 2014 Lexus RX 450h with the addition of available Siri Eyes Free Mode technology licensed from Apple. Compatible with the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 models forward, Siri lets you call contacts, select and play music from iTunes, get turn-by-turn navigation through Siri and Apple maps, and much more. To help you keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, Siri can read notifications and calendar information and allow you to add reminders, calendar appointments and notes.
The standard extras include 10-way power front seats, ebony or espresso bird’s eye maple and dual-zone automatic climate control, a premium audio including 9-speaker Lexus Premium Audio System offers a multitude of music source choices, Bluetooth audio streaming, USB/iPod® control and SiriusXM® Satellite Radio.
The standard SmartAccess system combines push-button starting and touch-sensitive exterior door handles. When the driver turns off the ignition, the seat automatically slides up to two inches rearward and the power tilt/telescoping steering wheel tilts upward and slides forward to ease exit. The next time the driver is seated and pushes the “On” button, the seat and steering wheel return to their preset positions automatically.
The standard Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) anticipates loss of vehicle control and governs all of the vehicle’s dynamic handling systems – the Anti-lock Braking System, Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) – coordinating with the electronic throttle control system. VDIM employs these systems collectively and seamlessly to help make corrections while allowing higher dynamic capability. The system also provides a limited slip differential effect.
The optional Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control uses millimeter-wave radar to measure and help maintain a pre-set following distance from a vehicle traveling directly ahead. The radar sensor can detect certain obstacles in front of the car, and a PCS computer with vehicle-speed, steering angle and yaw-rate inputs helps to determine whether a collision is imminent. In such a situation, PCS preemptively retracts front seat belts and pre-initializes Brake Assist so that increased braking will be applied the instant the driver depresses the pedal.
New for 2014
- The available Pre-Collision System now available on the front-wheel drive model and now features Pre-Brake and forward warning collision system.
- Premium Package now features sustainable Matte Bamboo trim and steering wheel for black or parchment interior.
- Luxury Package adds rear-seat 115v AC power outlet.
- Siri Eyes Free mode.
Vehicle Details
Mechanical
- Sport mode with revised steering effort, throttle mapping and transmission logic priorities to fully exploit the capabilities of the powertrain. In Sport mode, the hybrid meter light changes to red.
- All-weather drive model employs separate rear electric motor-generator to provide power to the rear wheels when road conditions or throttle response dictates.
- A SNOW mode slows accelerator-pedal response to help reduce the possibility of wheel spin.
Engine/Transmission/Drivetrain/Performance
- Lexus Hybrid Drive with a 3.5-liter V6 Atkinson-cycle engine offering V8-like performance, 295 total system horsepower.
- Compact 288V DC Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack
- Front-mounted 123-kW electric motor-generator
- Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) certification in California (Tier 2-Bin 3 in other states).
Chassis/Body/Suspension/Brakes/Tires
- Uniquely designed double-wishbone rear suspension improves handling and yields greater cargo area room.
- VSC adds steering assist torque to help aid handling on a split-friction surface.
- TRAC and VSC functions can also be turned off, for example, when the driver needs to free the vehicle from mud or snow.
- 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 235/60R18 tires; two optional 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheel packages with 235/55R19 tires.
Safety/Security
- Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) uses brake pressure to help prevent the vehicle from moving backward when starting out on an incline.
- Active front headrests help to reduce the severity of a whiplash injury in the event of certain types of lower speed rear collisions.
- Smart Stop Technology will automatically reduce engine power when the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are applied simultaneously under certain driving conditions.
Luxury/Comfort/Convenience
- 10-way power front seats with power lumbar adjustment.
- Leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel with integrated audio controls.
- Power liftgate
- Multi-information switch on the steering wheel provides access to numerous function settings without taking hands off the steering wheel.
- Vehicle settings can be customized, including personal door-lock preferences, interior/exterior light adjustments, driver’s seat easy exit, and window-closure settings.
- Power tilt and telescopic steering column
- An available smog sensor is designed to detect harmful particles (CO, HC, NOx) in other vehicles’ exhaust emissions and automatically switch the climate control system between fresh air and recirculation modes.
- Vehicle settings can be customized, including personal door-lock preferences, interior/exterior light adjustments, driver’s seat easy exit, and window-closure settings.
Luxury Options
- Comfort Package with ventilated front seats
- 12-speaker Display Audio system features two-rear-door tweeters, a compact, L-shaped subwoofer in the rear-luggage compartment, a DVD/CD player, and HD Radio™ with iTunes tagging (included with the optional Navigation Package, as well)
- Hard Disc Drive (HDD) navigation system with Remote Touch Controller offers Voice Command casual-language voice recognition, Lexus Enform® with Safety Connect®(includes one-year trial subscription), subscription-free Enform App Suite, and automatic Bluetooth phonebook download.
- Back-up camera (included in Navigation and Display Audio package)
- Leather and wood-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob
Warranty
- 48-month/50,000-mile basic limited warranty with roadside assistance for 48 months/unlimited miles.
- 72 months/70,000 miles powertrain and restraint system coverage.
- 72 months corrosion perforation protection, regardless of mileage.
- Eight years/100,000 miles hybrid-related components, including the HV battery, battery-control module, hybrid control module and inverter with converter.
Source: Lexus
Lexus RX 450h Advance has been released and it comes to offer more than enough equipment than before. It features the added luxury of a Mark Levinson premium 7.1 surround sound system as standard and runs on the exclusive machined and shaded 19-inch alloy wheels. But the highlight here is the audio system which performs exceptionally due to its carefully engineered array of 15 speakers, including a 200 mm subwoofer. All this is set to support an exceptionally wide frequency range and reproduces perfectly vocals and instrumentals.
RX 450h competitor BIK tax comparisons
