Lexus offers seven hybrid vehicles, including the highly regarded NX SUV, and retains its place as a prominent competitor within the luxury hybrid segment. Lexus also offers a plug-in hybrid vehicle—the NX plug-in!

Toyota’s luxury imprint, Lexus, has been a leading developer of hybrids for 15 years. But these aren’t just any ‘ol hybrid—Lexus’ environmentally-friendly hybrids are renowned for their fuel efficiency, instant acceleration, high-quality body, top-notch craftsmanship, and superb interior quality. With seven hybrid vehicles on the market, Lexus is a leader in luxury hybrid driving.

In this guide, we'll walk you through all you need to know about Lexus’ hybrid lineup. We’ll give you the lowdown on each of Lexus’ hybrid offerings, along with tips on how to make your motoring more sustainable.

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2022 Lexus hybrid models guide

Lexus’ NX hybrid is regarded by Car & Driver Magazine as the luxury line’s best hybrid offering, with a solid 39 miles per gallon fuel efficiency, a new, luxurious interior, and a boat-load of standard features.

Of course, there are six other great Lexus hybrids on offer, with something to satisfy most driver’s tastes, including the NX, UX,

, and LS SUVs, the ES sedan, and the LC coupe.

The table below breaks down each Lexus hybrid model, along with pricing information and the fuel economy numbers for the base trim.

Model	Vehicle type	Starting price	Fuel economy (base trim)
Lexus UX	SUV/Hatchback	$36,425	41 city/38 highway/39 combined mpg
Lexus NX	SUV	$42,125	41 city/37 highway/39 combined mpg
Lexus RX	SUV	$49,345	31 city/28 highway/30 combined mpg
Lexus ES	Sedan	$40,770	43 city/44 highway/44 combined mpg
Lexus LS	Sedan	$113,075	22 city/29 highway/25 combined mpg
Lexus LC	Coupe	$100,225	26 city/34 highway/29 combined mpg

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Along with its gas/electric hybrids, Lexus offers a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the NX PHEV.

Model	Vehicle type	Starting price	Fuel economy (base trim)
NX PHEV	SUV	$56,725	84 MPGe

Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric car: what’s the difference?

So, what is the difference, after all, between Lexus’ hybrids, such as the NX and ES, and the brand’s plug-in electric, the NX PHEV? To start, the plug-in hybrid electric NX has a bigger battery, meaning it can function as a purely electric car with a fully-charged battery. The NX PHEV’s gas engine kicks in only when the electric battery runs out of charge.

In comparison, Lexus hybrid vehicles still run on gas. However, its hybrid system works to optimize the gas output in conjunction with the electric motor, thus ensuring much better fuel economy and a smooth, quiet ride.

Lexus is expected to unveil a fully-electric SUV—the RZ, in the middle of 2022, with the expected arrival of models to the U.S. by the end of the year. Lexus aims to have an all-electric fleet by 2030.

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The best Lexus hybrid cars

With a slew of Lexus hybrid options to choose from, which one is right for you? Of course, this all depends on your own tastes and needs from a vehicle. That being said, a few models stand out in terms of reliability, performance, and overall excellence.

Best Lexus hybrid overall: Lexus NX hybrid or Lexus LC hybrid

The best of Lexus’ hybrids offers something for everyone. The NX hybrid SUV offers both practicality and luxury in spades, making this SUV perfect for both after-school carpool or a night on the town, whichever fits your lifestyle (unless it's both).

Then of course there is the Lexus LC hybrid, a stylish roadster inside and out and the perfect sports car for a weekend of worry-free and fuel-efficient weekend touring.

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Best used Lexus hybrid: Lexus LS hybrid

If you’re looking to keep costs reasonable but still want to ride like it's the future, you can always find a used hybrid that fits your fancy. If you’re looking for a used Lexus hybrid, the 2021 Lexus LS hybrid is your best bet.

This used (but still new-ish) sedan offers hi-tech efficiency at significantly less than the MSRP. With this hybrid, you’ll get Lexus’ renowned interior luxury, a 12.3 inch touchscreen, a slew of driver-assist technology, and intuitive electronic components to go along with a composed and quiet ride.

That being said, if you’re looking for a used Lexus hybrid, you’ll want to avoid the 2012 Lexus CT 200h, according to CarComplaints.com. This hybrid sedan was beset by problems, including a laundry list of engine problems as well as an exploding sunroof (really).

Best Lexus PHEV: NX PHEV

Lexus offers just one plug-in hybrid at the moment—the NX PHEV—so that makes it the brand’s best plug-in (because there aren’t any other ones!). That being said, the NX PHEV is Lexus' fastest and most powerful NX yet—it goes 0 to 60 in just 6 seconds, and sports a whopping 304 horsepower. Along with its gorgeous design and sumptuous interior, the NX PHEV is a compelling all-electric choice.

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Are Lexus hybrids worth it?

Here we break down whether Lexus hybrids are worth it.

Performance

Lexus is lucky to have Toyota as its parent, as the Japanese giant has been working on hybrids since the 1990s. Those decades of experience no doubt helps Lexus deliver gorgeous, fuel-efficient hybrids to the market.

Lexus’ hybrids offer a great alternative to drivers wanting the brand’s luxury with less of a carbon footprint. For example, the popular NX hybrid offers the same style and loads of standard safety equipment with a quick hybrid powertrain, not to mention good body control all in one practical package. That being said, you won’t win any races driving the NX—it goes 0 to 60 in 6.6 seconds—but it's relatively quick. If you want some real hybrid-ized performance, you’ll have to go for the LC coupe, which is much faster.

The bottom line: Is a Lexus hybrid equivalent to a Ferrari? No. But for the most part, these are quick, stylish, and practical vehicles.

Reliability

According to J.D. Power, Lexus’ three top hybrid vehicles—the UX, NX, and LC—all are ranked “Great” in terms of reliability, with all three scoring more than 81/100.

Cost of ownership

So, how do Lexus hybrid vehicles compare to their gas-powered peers in terms of cost of ownership?

Let’s compare the luxury SUV Lexus RX 350 (gas-powered) and the Lexus RS 450h (the hybrid model). The starting price for the gas-powered RX 350 is $57,476, yet Edmunds calculates the true cost of ownership at $50,290! Here’s how this breaks down:

Insurance: $4.644

Maintenance: $6,299

Repairs: $836

Financing: $5.068

Taxes and fees: $3,291

Fuel: $12,807

Depreciation: $17,345

In comparison, the true cost to own for the 2022 Lexus RX 450h is $53,080, even though its total cash price is $66,892.

So, what does this mean? It means that both the gas-powered RX and the hybrid RX are good deals, as both actually cost less than their sticker prices. However, which is better for you? Are you ok with paying a bit more over 5 years while having a much lighter carbon footprint with the hybrid? Or does the bottom-line count most, and you’ll take the lower overall hit to your wallet as your most important criteria? The answer, of course, is up to you.

Do know, however, that you could take advantage of significant hybrid vehicle insurance discounts by going the Lexus hybrid route? Buying a new Lexus NX PHEV could also snag you up to

$7,500 in federal tax credits

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How to get sustainable rates on car insurance

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FAQs

Do you pay less tax on a hybrid car?

In the case of a Lexus, the federal tax credits apply only to the plug-in hybrid NX—not to the rest of Lexus’ hybrid fleet.

How much does it cost to replace a Lexus hybrid battery?

This of course depends on the model and the type of service your hybrid needs, but the average cost to replacing a Lexus hybrid battery can run from between $5,000 to $7,000.

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