2010 Lexus RX 450h

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Interior - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Lexus RX Hybrid's five-seat interior is luxurious and very well equipped. Test drivers especially like the new Remote Touch controller that comes with the optional navigation system. A few reviewers, however, find the materials quality lacking and notice some intrusive road noise.

• "Interior materials are impressive, with a sturdy, luxurious feel throughout." -- Consumer Guide
• "The rear cargo area is huge, but the spaciousness of the rear seating area doesn't live up to the promise of the SUV's ample exterior dimensions. And the opinions of our editors were split on the luxury quotient of the RX 450h's interior. Too many pieces were obviously lifted from Toyota's parts bin for a Lexus-nameplate vehicle, and where are the heated seats?" -- Edmunds
• "In those moments when it's gliding silently on electric power in midtown, with the out-of-control world safely shut out by the acoustic-laminated glass, the RX450h is a deliciously tranquil place, a waking dream in the nightmare of commuting traffic." -- Los Angeles Times
• "I was a little surprised by the amount of road noise that made its way into the RX's cabin when traveling on rougher patches of road. Road surface plays a big part in the interior noise equation, and some of the asphalt roads I traveled were quite pockmarked, but noise from bumps was quite pronounced, too." -- Cars.com
• "While floored by its low-cost/high-feature set, our judges were split on the Lexus's overall execution. Some found it a futuristic, techno tour de force, others a modern, yet cheap, mishmash." -- Truck Trend
• "The fruit of their labor is a new cabin that is entirely Lexus-like, with top-quality materials and smooth controls. The instrument panel has stylish swoops, but the actual controls and components are straightforward and pragmatic." -- MSN

Seating

The Lexus RX 450h's seats are generally comfortable and compare well with the non-hybrid Lexus RX 350.

• "The front seats are long-haul comfortable; a great mix of softness and support. The side bolsters are reassuringly noticeable, but not confining." -- Consumer Guide
• "The RX's front bucket seats have soft cushioning and are comfortable. ... Backseat legroom in the RX is good, and Lexus has addressed my main gripe with the second row by moving the backrest-recline lever from the top of the backrest itself to the outside of the seat cushion." -- Cars.com

Interior Features

The RX 450h comes with as much equipment as its non-hybrid sibling, and is loaded with features above and beyond the SUV norm. One of its most exciting new features is an optional navigation system with Remote Touch, a small device on the central console that functions somewhat like a computer mouse. While reviewers say there's a learning curve, they find it largely useful. Popular Mechanics has even given the system its Technical Innovation award.

• "In all, we found the Remote Touch system to be very intuitive and much easier to learn and use than similar joystick-control systems in Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz vehicles." -- Consumer Guide
• "This brilliant [Remote Touch] system is the solution we've been waiting for." -- Popular Mechanics
• "The trackball-like controller for the navigation, information, and audio systems is the polar opposite of the counterintuitive devices found in German luxury cars. If you've ever used a computer mouse or trackball or video game controller, no explanation is necessary and no recourse to a 100-page manual." -- CNET
• "Everywhere you look, the RX 450h is awash in electronic goodies, from the crisp, organic LED display to headlamps that automatically douse their high beams for oncoming traffic to a game-changing telematics controller called Remote Touch. ... In comparison, both the BMW and Benz feel low-tech and spare." -- Truck Trend
• "The Remote Touch controller works but requires too much effort, and is, thus, distracting to the driver. Thankfully, the system accepts voice commands as well, and is equipped with some of the best voice-recognition software we've ever used." -- MSN
• "The Remote Touch and voice command operations proved incredibly intuitive during our drive, although the navigation software has a slightly steeper learning curve." -- Autoblog

Cargo

The RX 450h has an average amount of cargo space for a midsize SUV.

• "Small-items storage is just average for an SUV; highlights include a large console bin and an open area underneath the front console that seems like an excellent place to stash a large purse or a tissue box." -- Consumer Guide
• "The RX's cargo area measures 40 cubic feet. That's more space than a Lincoln MKX (32.3 cubic feet) but less than the MDX has with its third row folded (42.9 cubic feet)." -- Cars.com