Stop Buying the Lexus RX 500h. Buy This Instead.

Lexus is asking over $75,000 for an SUV with a 4-cylinder engine and a CVT. On paper, the 2026 Lexus RX 450h+ seems like a massive compromise compared to the RX 500h. But after pushing this 304 horsepower PHEV to the limit, the engineering reveals a very different truth about its chassis dynamics. Chapters / Timestamps 0:00 - The Powertrain Problem 0:26 - Drivetrain Performance 3:30 - Dynamics & Handling 7:36 - Driver Interface & Ergonomics 10:28 - Owner Intel 12:33 - The Verdict The 2026 Lexus RX 450h+ Luxury AWD sits at the top of the GA-K platform hierarchy, blending a 2.5L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery to produce 304 combined horsepower. Unlike the 2026 Lexus RX 500h F SPORT Performance, which utilizes a 6-speed automatic, the 450h+ relies on an e-CVT and e-AWD system. In this review, we test the suspension damping, torque vectoring, and unsprung weight penalties of the RX plug-in hybrid to determine if it can compete dynamically with its competitors or if it remains strictly a comfort-focused luxury crossover. The 2025 Lexus RX 500h Black Line Is a 366HP Hybrid That Actually Drives Like It Means It https://youtu.be/QOAdoIBjuk8 // THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY GOCLEAN I’ve been using GoClean Waterless Car Wash in my cleaning kit for the last 2 months to get cars camera ready before shoots. Use code MAKSE15 for 15% off. Free shipping on orders over $100. Available in the US & Canada at https://www.goclean.ca/ and tell 'em I sent ya! ——————————————————————— // MY AMAZON STORE with my favorite things for drivers https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-4cc174af (this is an affiliate link) /// MERCH Pick up some sweet merch in our store! https://brian-makse-shop.fourthwall.com/ /// SUBSCRIBE Subscribe NOW to Brian Makse's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=brianmakse /// SOCIAL Instagram: http://Instagram.com/BrianMakse Twitter: http://Twitter.com/BrianMakse Facebook: http://Facebook.com/MakseAttack Spotify: https://sptfy.com/brianmakse Link In My Bio: https://makse.com/linkinbio/ /// MORE About Brian: http://makse.com/about /// WHAT I'M LISTENING TO Real AF With Andy Frisella https://andyfrisella.com/blogs/realaf-podcast Be sure to let us know what you think about this video and smash the subscribe button if you haven’t already! Test vehicles are provided by the respective manufacturers for review purposes, unless otherwise noted, and all opinions are our own. Music © 2026 Russell Soares (russellsoares.com), used with permission, all rights reserved. #brianmakse