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Test Drive: 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid Review – MPG and Interior

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

Test Drive: 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid Review – MPG and Interior

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid continues to raise the bar for luxury midsize SUVs, combining refined performance, cutting-edge technology, and class-leading fuel efficiency. As environmental awareness grows and gas prices remain a concern for many drivers, hybrid vehicles like the RX Hybrid offer a smart balance of power, comfort, and economy. With its redesigned platform, enhanced interior craftsmanship, and improved fuel economy, the 2025 model is more compelling than ever. In this in-depth review, we explore the key highlights of the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, focusing on its real-world MPG performance and the premium interior that sets it apart in the competitive luxury SUV market.

Redesigned for Efficiency: The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid Overview

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid isn’t just an incremental update—it’s a comprehensive reimagining of what a luxury hybrid SUV can be. Built on the TNGA-K platform, the RX Hybrid is lighter, more agile, and more efficient than its predecessor. This foundation allows for better handling, improved ride quality, and enhanced fuel economy across the board.

Lexus has long been synonymous with reliability and comfort, and the 2025 RX Hybrid builds on that legacy. The vehicle now features a more aerodynamic design, with sleeker lines and a lower drag coefficient helping to improve fuel efficiency. From the bold spindle grille to the LED headlights and sculpted profile, the RX Hybrid makes a strong visual statement while remaining true to Lexus’s elegant design language.

Fuel Efficiency: Real-World MPG Performance

One of the most compelling aspects of the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid is its exceptional fuel economy. With a hybrid powertrain that balances performance and efficiency, this SUV delivers numbers that impress both city commuters and highway travelers.

Official EPA Ratings

The 2025 RX Hybrid, powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors, achieves an EPA-estimated 40 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city and 37 MPG on the highway, with a combined rating of 38 MPG. This represents a notable improvement over the previous generation, thanks to refinements in the hybrid system, more efficient regenerative braking, and optimized energy management.

For a midsize luxury SUV weighing over 4,300 pounds, these numbers are impressive. The RX Hybrid outperforms many of its competitors in the luxury segment, including the Acura MDX Hybrid, Volvo XC90 Recharge, and even the non-plug-in version of the BMW X5 xDrive50e.

How the Hybrid System Works

The 2025 RX Hybrid uses Lexus’s fourth-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive. This system seamlessly integrates the gasoline engine and electric motors to maximize efficiency. In city driving, the vehicle can operate in pure electric mode at low speeds—ideal for stop-and-go traffic—reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

The continuously variable transmission (CVT) ensures smooth acceleration, while regenerative braking captures energy during deceleration to recharge the battery. Drivers can monitor real-time energy flow through the digital instrument cluster, which displays power usage and battery charge levels.

Real-World Fuel Economy

During our test drive across suburban, city, and highway routes, the RX Hybrid consistently achieved between 36 and 39 MPG in mixed driving conditions. On a 150-mile highway route at 70 mph, it averaged 38 MPG, demonstrating its efficiency even at higher speeds.

In city driving, where frequent stops and starts benefit electric-only operation, we recorded up to 42 MPG. This is especially valuable for urban drivers and daily commuters who want to reduce fuel costs without sacrificing performance or comfort.

Tank Range and Refueling

The RX Hybrid has a 15.9-gallon fuel tank, giving it an estimated over 600 miles of total range on a full tank. This means fewer stops at the pump and greater convenience for long trips. Compared to fully electric SUVs that require charging stops, the RX Hybrid offers the best of both worlds: efficiency and convenience.

Luxurious Interior: A Sanctuary on Wheels

The interior of the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid is where it truly shines. Moving away from the brand’s traditionally conservative design, the new RX features a modern, tech-forward cabin that emphasizes comfort, craftsmanship, and intuitive usability.

High-Quality Materials and Craftsmanship

Step inside, and you’re greeted by premium materials throughout. Soft-touch leather, open-pore wood trim, and metal accents create an ambiance of understated elegance. Available semi-aniline leather seats offer exceptional comfort and support, while available heated and ventilated front and rear seats ensure comfort in all seasons.

Lexus has paid close attention to detail—the stitching is precise, the door panels are well-damped, and the overall fit and finish rival even more expensive European luxury brands. The RX Hybrid proves that sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing luxury.

Spacious and Versatile Seating

The 2025 RX Hybrid seats five passengers comfortably, with generous legroom and headroom in both the front and rear. Taller passengers will appreciate the ample space, especially in the second row, which offers 39.5 inches of legroom.

The rear seats recline slightly, enhancing comfort on longer drives. While some rivals like the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 offer optional third-row seating, the RX Hybrid prioritizes second-row spaciousness, making it ideal for families or business professionals who value rear-seat comfort.

Cargo Space and Storage Solutions

With the rear seats up, the RX Hybrid offers 32.0 cubic feet of cargo space, which is competitive within its class. Folding the rear seats down expands this to 66.0 cubic feet, enough for luggage, golf bags, or even a weekend camping trip.

The cargo area features a hands-free power liftgate, available cargo cover, and multiple tie-down points. There's also a hidden underfloor storage compartment for smaller items, and available LED lighting makes loading at night much easier.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The centerpiece of the RX Hybrid’s interior is the new 14-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen, which runs on the brand’s latest multimedia system. The interface is intuitive, with physical shortcut buttons for climate control and audio, reducing driver distraction.

Standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, and a 10-speaker audio system. Higher trims upgrade to a 21-speaker Mark Levinson® Premium Sound System, delivering studio-quality audio.

The system supports over-the-air updates, ensuring that software improvements and new features can be downloaded without visiting a dealership. Voice recognition is more responsive than before, supporting natural language commands for navigation, climate control, and media.

Digital Instrument Cluster and Head-Up Display

Behind the steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster provides customizable information, from speed and fuel economy to navigation prompts and hybrid system status. The high-resolution display is bright, crisp, and easy to read in all lighting conditions.

An available full-color head-up display projects key information onto the windshield, including speed, navigation arrows, and safety alerts. This feature enhances driver focus by keeping eyes on the road.

Climate Control and Air Quality

The RX Hybrid features a tri-zone automatic climate control system, allowing front and rear passengers to set their preferred temperatures. An available nanoe™ X air purification system helps reduce allergens, bacteria, and odors, making the cabin especially appealing for allergy sufferers or those concerned about air quality.

Technology and Driver Assistance Features

The 2025 RX Hybrid is packed with advanced technology designed to enhance safety, convenience, and driving enjoyment.

Lexus Safety System+ 3.0

Standard on all trims, the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 includes:

These features work together to reduce driver fatigue and improve safety in traffic. During our test drive, the adaptive cruise control maintained a safe distance from vehicles ahead, even in heavy traffic, while the lane-keeping system gently corrected minor steering deviations.

Available Advanced Features

Higher trims and packages offer even more advanced technology, including:

The panoramic view monitor was especially helpful in tight parking situations, providing a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings. Meanwhile, the digital key allows owners to unlock and start the car using their smartphone—ideal for those who prefer to travel light.

Performance and Driving Experience

The 2025 RX Hybrid combines smooth, responsive performance with quiet, refined operation. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces 246 horsepower when combined with the electric motors, delivering ample power for merging, passing, and hill climbing.

Acceleration and Handling

The RX Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 7.5 seconds—not blistering, but more than sufficient for everyday driving. The power delivery is linear and smooth, with minimal noise from the engine, even under hard acceleration.

The TNGA-K platform contributes to a lower center of gravity, improving cornering stability and reducing body roll. Electric power steering is well-tuned, offering just the right amount of feedback without feeling numb.

Ride Comfort and Noise Insulation

Lexus has always prioritized ride comfort, and the 2025 RX Hybrid is no exception. The suspension absorbs bumps and imperfections in the road with ease, providing a serene driving experience. Available adaptive variable suspension further enhances comfort by adjusting damping in real-time based on road conditions.

Cabin noise is exceptionally well-controlled. The hybrid system operates quietly, and even at highway speeds, wind and road noise are minimized thanks to acoustic glass, enhanced sound insulation, and active noise cancellation.

Driving Modes

The RX Hybrid offers multiple driving modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, and EV—to tailor the driving experience:

Switching between modes is done via a console-mounted dial, and the changes are noticeable, especially in Sport mode, which sharpens throttle response and adds more weight to the steering.

Competitors in the Luxury Hybrid SUV Segment

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid faces stiff competition from several established players in the luxury hybrid SUV market. Here’s how it stacks up:

Lexus RX Hybrid vs. Acura MDX Hybrid

The Acura MDX Hybrid offers a more powerful 3.0-liter turbo V6 and optional third-row seating, but its fuel economy (26 MPG combined) lags behind the RX Hybrid. The RX also offers a more refined interior and better ride quality.

Lexus RX Hybrid vs. Volvo XC90 Recharge

The Volvo XC90 Recharge is a plug-in hybrid with electric-only range, but its non-plug-in version (T8 Recharge) has lower fuel economy (27 MPG combined) and higher maintenance costs. The RX Hybrid wins on fuel efficiency and long-term reliability.

Lexus RX Hybrid vs. BMW X5 xDrive50e

The BMW X5 plug-in hybrid offers strong performance and a luxurious cabin, but its electric range is limited, and its fuel economy drops significantly once the battery is depleted. The RX Hybrid provides more consistent efficiency and lower running costs.

Trim Levels and Pricing

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid is available in multiple trim levels, each offering a balance of features and value: