Lexus 450h Price Announced

Toyota has set the price on the 2010 RX 450h at base MSRP of $41,660 for the front-wheel drive (FWD) model and $43,250 for the all-wheel drive (AWD) version.  The 450h has an updated Lexus Hybrid Drive, featuring a 3.5-liter V6 Atkinson-cycle engine, lighter electric motors, a smaller and lighter power-control unit and other fuel-saving innovations.  

All that adds up to 32 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for the FWD; and 30 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for the AWD.

It also achieves a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) certification in California (Tier 2-Bin 3 in other states), producing nearly 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than conventionally powered vehicles.

The 450h, produces 27 hp more than the current RX 400h, for a total of 295 hp.

From the press release:

Active safety features include the available Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), which governs all of the vehicle’s standard dynamic handling systems – the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) – employing them collectively and seamlessly to make corrections while allowing higher dynamic capability. The new RX adopts Hill-start Assist Control, which uses brake pressure to help prevent the vehicle from moving backward when starting out on an incline. The RX450h also has the available new Intelligent Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), and the Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

The 2010 RX450h is equipped with a segment-leading 10 standard airbags, including side curtain airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, rear side airbags (for the outboard seating positions) and knee airbags for the driver and the front passenger.

It features new wider standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, which were designed to appear as if carved from a single block, and 235/60R18 tires. Optional unique 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 235/55R19 tires are available.

Lexus’ available next-generation Hard Disc Drive (HDD) navigation system eliminates the need for DVD map discs and offers a unique voice recognition system, which can work using casual-language inputs on certain functions. A distinctive Remote Touch controller allows the user to operate the navigation system, climate, audio, phone controls and more. The screen menus are selected with the controller, eliminating the need to reach out or avert eyes from the road. The attribute that most distinguishes Lexus’ navigation controller from other devices in other luxury models is its “haptic”-feedback technology, which provides a tactile response to the hand.

The new RX450h accommodates a variety of music sources, providing auxiliary and available USB inputs, Bluetooth^® Audio wireless connectivity and standard XM^® satellite radio capability (requires subscription), which is also joined by XM NavTraffic^® and XM NavWeather^®.

An optional rear-seat entertainment system includes two high-definition seven-inch screens, one on each of the front seatbacks. The available wide-view side monitor and backup monitor each help provide the driver with a wider range of visibility.

The all-new RX450h is now available with a Heads-Up Display (HUD) that offers displays for speed, navigation, and audio. High-intensity LEDs project high-contrast white figures onto the windshield, which are easier to read – and easier on the eyes – than the typical green-colored readouts.