Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Altair78, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
A premium hybrid SUV whose hybrid system has a good reputation, with few serious faults reported. The documented points to watch are the 12 V battery, which discharges after a few weeks of standing, and the hydraulic brake actuator of the 450h, which is expensive to replace. The Euro NCAP rating for this generation has not been found.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €14,000 – €21,500
- Monthly cost
- €473
- Euro NCAP
- Rating not found
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: RX 450h.
RX 450h
✓ RecommendedHybrid · Automatic · 299 hp · 6.3 L/100 km · 148 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
3.5 litre V6 with 249 hp and two electric motors, 299 hp combined, continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), announced at 6.3 l/100 km and 148 g/km of CO2.
RX 350
Petrol · Automatic · 277 hp · Crit'Air 2
277 hp naturally aspirated 3.5 litre V6, 6-speed automatic gearbox, all-wheel drive, 10.6 l/100 km combined according to the data sheet consulted. Petrol version only, available in the French Pack Luxe and Pack Président trims.
Market prices
€14,000 – €21,500
Indicative range: 2011 to 2014, yearly medians of 10 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Faulty hydraulic brake actuator
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe 2010-2015 RX 450h uses an electro-hydraulic brake actuator. Its failure is described as common beyond 100,000 miles (about 160,000 km) by Go-Parts: noise, warning light on, code C1391. CarComplaints ranks the failure of the actuator on the 2010 model among the most reported (repair costing around 2,700 dollars), and an owner quotes a replacement at about 2,482 dollars on Club Lexus. Replacement and calibration require Toyota's Techstream tool.
- Versions
- RX 450h
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
12 V battery discharged after standing
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingThe 12 V battery, which powers the electronics and allows the hybrid system to start, discharges if the car is not used for a few weeks. This is the most frequent complaint from RX 450h owners according to WhoCanFixMyCar, and cases of repeatedly draining batteries are described on the Club Lexus and Lexus Owners Club forums. Slow charging is preferable to a jump start.
- Versions
- RX 450h
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Lexus RX”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €155 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €77 |
| Maintenance | €26 |
| Depreciation | €215 |
| Total per month | €473 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€155
RX 450h version: combined consumption of 6.3 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
6.3 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €155
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€77
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€26
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€215
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Lexus RX III — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Check the condition and age of the 12 V battery and ask whether the car has been left standing for long periods.
- On a 450h, check there is no dashboard warning light (brake, hybrid) and listen for noise at the brake pedal.
- Carry out an extended test drive: hybrid start (READY light), electric/petrol transitions, air conditioning operation.
- Test the electric tailgate: full opening and closing without jerks.
- Ask for the service book and invoices, ideally from a Lexus dealer.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the 12 V battery been replaced, and has the car been left standing for a long time?
- Has the brake actuator been the subject of any work or warning light?
- Has servicing been carried out at Lexus, with invoices?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Navigator84, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lexus RX
IV · 2015–2022
- Price
- €29,000 – €33,000
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota RAV4
IV · 2012–2018
- Price
- €9,500 – €19,600
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0
Land Rover Discovery
IV (L319) · 2009–2016
- Price
- €12,700 – €24,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Touareg
III · since 2018
- Price
- €33,200 – €88,400
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Diesel, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Lexus RX III (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lexus RX 450h III reliable?
Its hybrid system has a good reputation and serious faults are described as rare; the most cited weak point is the 12 V battery (WhoCanFixMyCar). French owners on Caradisiac also report years without trouble.
Is there a petrol version of the Lexus RX III in France?
French data sheets describe an RX 350 3.5 V6 with 277 hp in Pack Luxe and Pack Président trims for 2009-2012 (L'Itinéraire). The exact launch date could not be confirmed.
What is the power of the RX 450h?
299 hp combined: a 3.5 litre V6 with 249 hp and two electric motors (La Tribune Auto).
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