Video: Why the Lexus RX is an Excellent Used Crossover

A European perspective on why the 2015 Lexus RX may be the best used luxury crossover in America, and what we can learn from its priorities.

Crossovers. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re undeniably useful, practical vehicles. With the comfort of a sedan but the utility of an SUV, they’re excellent all-around transportation if you’re in the used car market and aren’t too picky. Today, a plethora of crossovers saturate dealers and car lots in a variety of price brackets. And usually the Lexus RX dominates the mid-higher tier with its luxury appointments and reliability. But following the announcement of the next-generation RX, those prices are due to plummet to more affordable levels.

Out of anticipation, we found a video on this very topic by JayEmm on Cars. More specifically, why this current-generation RX450h makes such an excellent used car for the American buyer. Interestingly, the video comes from the UK, where across the pond RX sales measure less than 1/10th of American figures. So what makes the RX450h so good in the US, and what can we learn from its design philosophy? Let’s dig right into it.

The Usual Japanese Luxury Quirks

Of course, any vehicle has a plethora of idiosyncrasies, both good and bad, covered fairly comprehensively in the video. Getting the latter out of the way, the first and most obvious thing: It’s a crossover. There’s no getting around it, and that comes with certain baggage. For example, the RX450h engine’s larger than a typical Toyota hybrid. Coupled with the eCVT, you feel the engine kick on and off during normal driving. The size also works against it, as it lurches from a stop rather than some electric cars that positively leap off the line. And it just wouldn’t be a Lexus without a finicky infotainment system. In this case, the RX comes with a touchpad as well as touchscreen display. But like how we covered in another video review of an NX, this system’s certainly not perfect.

Dimensionally speaking, the car also leaves a little to be desired. The rounded front end imparts a poor sense of where the exact front of the car is, less than ideal for novice drivers. And the rear windows grant horrible visibility, although that’s a trend shared by a lot of modern crossovers regardless. Plus, the cargo space provides just enough room for most everyday use. But for longer road trips with multiple people, you might want to spring for an external luggage carrier on the roof. That said, these discrepancies remain fairly minor by comparison to what you’re getting for your money. And rest assured, while the price point remains high, the price will go down. Many of these vehicles remain under leases, or will find themselves traded in for the new model. So you won’t be strapped for finding one on the used market at a bargain price for very long.

The Japanese-American Spirit

The main upside to the RX is, without a doubt, its capacity for long-haul driving. While roads are tighter and cities closer together in Europe, that’s not the case here. For trips exceeding 100 miles between cities, the RX excels. In terms of fuel economy, the eCVT affords over 30 MPG even with the car’s size. And cargo capacity aside, the interior retains an excellent fit and finish despite its age. That’s even after factoring in the somewhat-buggy infotainment system.

From the supple leather to the involved and intuitive controls, it’s undeniably a superb setup for a crossover. The buttons and dials all have a very tactile, positive feel to them. Electrics respond instantly to the touch, with JayEmm praising even the way the seats adjust so rapidly. And although functionally useless with the eCVT, the RX does come equipped with paddle-shifters and a solid central column-shifter. Wood trim graces the steering wheel and console, reminiscent of grand-tourers of old. And the infinitely-adjustable seats provide a lovely commanding position. Overall, the interior’s easily one of the most important features in any long-distance vehicle, and the RX absolutely nails it.

When You Get There

The RX450h’s other major positive appears when you reach your destination in another city. By now, the naturally-aspirated V6 charged up the electric motors on the highway. So when you’re driving through the city and the engine shuts off, the car’s as quiet as anything like most EVs. So now we factor in that exquisite interior coupled with the refined quietness of an EV and this is where the RX shines. Effectively, this means that a used RX450h, for long intercity trips, is likely the best vehicle for the money on 2023’s market. And that’s not even mentioning Toyota’s reliability pedigree. When it comes to Lexus, they take reliability very seriously, as we all know. So it’s not surprising to find RXs with north of 200,000 miles floating around that still feel like new.

Now, it is a crossover with an eCVT. So that immediately puts off a large amount of gearheads. But let’s face it, sometimes having that reliability and comfort outweighs other factors when purchasing a used car. A 2015 6-speed WRX provides a far more enjoyable ride, it goes without saying. But if your priorities lay elsewhere and you take a lot of long-distance trips, then an RX is right up your alley. Because unlike tight, twisty European or Japanese roads, the US is a wide-open country with hours of driving between states. Perfect, then, for a midsize understated luxury car, especially at a solid low price-point.

M.C. Cuccio

I've been an automotive aficionado since I had baby teeth. My path was set when I first leaned on my grandfather's classic Porsche as I learned how to walk. One of my first memories was my mother sitting me behind the wheel of her Pontiac and talking me through the instrumentation and controls. Even though I was a mere three or four years old, I was instantly sold, and filled notebooks with technical drawings, sketches, and collections of manuals of all sorts of cars. I've actively tracked developments in automotive and motorsport technology for well over 20 years, and pride myself on being intimately familiar with the functions and history of a wide range of vehicles.

My primary goal as a writer and enthusiast is to equally learn and share what I've learned in a constructive and interesting way. I maintain connections with people from around the world and can read technical manuals in Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, granting me access to a wide array of resources. My primary focuses are deep-dives into historical topics, motorsport discussion, and learning about the complex mechanical elements of such vehicles. As such, my research is never perfect; as anyone into cars will attest, the more you learn about cars, the more you realize how little you actually know. Therefore, I always welcome fresh knowledge and corrections to help me better my work in the future.