My mother-in-law took quite a journey to find her latest ride. She considered the Toyota Prius, impressed by its sleek style, utility and hybrid fuel economy. She liked the much larger Toyota Crown hybrid even more. But what she really wanted was legit luxury, and she found her vibe with the Lexus RX 350 crossover.

It was an excellent choice, but I like the 2026 RX 450h+ plug-in even better.

The RX is a modern car, but nothing wildly futuristic. The front features Lexus’ trademark spindle grille, flanked by squinty LED headlamps. The side profile is more crossover coupe planted over 21-inch wheels. A swoosh from the front rocker into the fat rear fenders adds sportiness while the floating rear roof conveys a sense of speed. You can park the original 1998 RX 300 next to the 2026 RX 450h+ and know one begat the other.

There’s a pretty large cargo hold behind the hands-free hatch, and the split/fold rear seats power up/down to toss in bicycles or surfboards, but the sloping roofline isn’t the best for large cargo. If hauling gear is a priority, you might consider the larger and squarer Lexus TX crossover.

The RX 450h+ is absolutely beautiful inside with contrasting leathers, soft quilting on the doors and wood on the steering wheel. Front seats are heated and ventilated; rear seats and the steering wheel warm too. Ambient lighting seeps from every crevice. Mark Levinson audio adds lush layers of sound. The cabin is kept light and airy via the panoramic glass roof.

Flatscreen gauges and a 14-inch touchscreen provide infotainment. Devices connect wirelessly through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and they charge wirelessly too. Of course, safety is paramount, with automatic emergency braking, blind spot intervention, and rear cross traffic alert. The digital rearview mirror, head-up display and emergency steering assist up the ante.

You may be trying to decide if you want an EV, hybrid, or just a plain gas-powered vehicle. While my mother-in-law chose the regular hybrid, the 450h+ adds the ability to drive 38 miles without burning a drop of gas. For daily use, it’s an EV. However, there’s also a 2.5-liter gas engine that carries on when batteries deplete. Drive anywhere without worries. All in, it’s EPA rated 85 mpg-e. Running as a regular hybrid away from plugs, expect 35 mpg.

I think owners most appreciate how serenely the 2026 RX 450h+ travels. Tepid acceleration of 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds won’t excite Tesla owners, but it’s delightfully smooth and quiet. You slide in at exactly the right height and are greeted by an interior fit for a luxury crossover. Whether you're 30 years old or 80, it fits right. With Toyota build quality, my mother-in-law will have many years to enjoy hers.

Expect to pay dearly. A base RX starts at $52,275, but moving up to a plug-in hybrid costs at least $66,680. Our lush test vehicle came to $77,595. Competitors include the BMW X3, Cadillac XT5, Genesis GV70, Lincoln Nautilus, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Volvo XC60.

Likes: modern style, lush interior, electric commuting

Dislikes: limited cargo, tepid acceleration, luxury pricing

2026 Lexus RX 450h+

Five-passenger, AWD Crossover

Powertrain: 2.5-liter I4, PHEV

Output: 304hp/415 pound-feet of torque

Suspension f/r: Ind/Ind

Wheels f/r: 21”/21” alloy

Brakes f/r: regen disc/disc

0-60 mph: 6.2s

Electric range: 38 miles

Fuel economy: 85 mpg-e/35 mpg

Assembly: Kyushu, Japan

Base/As-tested price: $52,275/$77,595

©2026 Tribune Content Agency, LLC