With the new Lexus RX 450h luxury and refinement are only parts of what makes the car brilliant. The main reason you should consider this over the rivals is economy. It’s not just mean the fuel economy either. The RX delivers unmatched tax savings compared to all its rivals in the market today thanks to its 145g/km CO2 emissions.
The RX 450h attracts a benefit-in-kind tax rating of 20 per cent, which in plain English means paying thousands of pounds less over the years. Lexus compares the RX’s three-year tax bill to some of the competition such as the Range Rover Sport SDV6 SE, and the difference is remarkable. While the Lexus’ bill is £12,173, for the same period the owner of the Range Rover will have to pay £20,549.
The tables below will compare the RX 450h to more rivals.
The economy, however, has not affected the RX’s sophisticated luxury. Starting from £48,495 for the normal and £51,995 for the F Sport version, the car comes with dark-finish 19-inch alloy wheels, a new 12-speaker audio package with DAB digital tuner and DVD player, front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and an HDD satellite navigation system controlled by Lexus’s Remote Touch Interface, a system that is as simple and intuitive to use as a computer mouse.
The F Sport models meanwhile get 10-spoke F Sport alloys. Interior features include sports pedals, aluminium-effect trim inserts and scuff plates, smooth leather upholstery, an F Sport steering wheel, head-up display and a black roof lining. It also gains LED headlamps with Lexus’s I-AFS adaptive system, turning the light beam in line with the vehicle’s steering angle.
Lexus RX 450h Tax Savings versus rivals:
| Model | RX 450h Luxury | BMW X5 xDrive 4.0d SE Auto |
ML 350 CDi BlueTec Special Edition |
Volvo XC90 D5 Executive Geartronic |
Audi Q7 3.0 TDi SE Tiptronic |
Range Rover Sport SDV6 SE |
| CO2 (g/km) | 145 | 198 | 189 | 219 | 195 | 230 |
| OTR price | £48,495 | £47,455 | £43,990 | £44,845 | £45,170 | £49,795 |
| Employee benefit-in-kind rate 2012/13 | 20% | 33% | 31% | 35% | 33% | 35% |
| Employee 3yr BIK 40% tax payer | £12,173 | £19,152 | £16,694 | £18,560 | £18,219 | £20,549 |
| 3yr tax position vs RX 450h | – | +£6,979 | +£4,522 | +£6,388 | +£6,046 | +£8,376 |
| Model | RX 450h F SPORT |
BMW X5 xDrive 4.0d M Sport Auto |
ML 350 CDi BlueTec Sport |
Volvo XC90 D5 R-Design Geartronic |
Audi Q7 3.0 TDi S line Tiptronic |
Range Rover Sport SDV6HSE |
| CO2 g/km | 145 | 198 | 189 | 219 | 195 | 230 |
| OTR price | £51,995 | £51,880 | £48,490 | £41,295 | £46,065 | £57,095 |
| Employee benefit-in-kind rate 2012/13 | 20% | 33% | 31% | 35% | 33% | 35% |
| Employee 3yr BIK 40% tax payer | £13,055 | £20,957 | £18,422 | £17,069 | £18,585 | £23,615 |
| 3yr tax position vs RX 450h | +£7,902 | +£5,368 | +£4,014 | +£5,530 | +10,560 |
