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2016 Lexus RX 450h: Razor-sharp lines stand out from the hybrid pack (pictures)

Lexus' luxury hybrid SUV gets a new look for the 2016 model year, sporting excessively sharp lines, a massive grille and a graceful floating roof.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
2016 Lexus RX 450h
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The RX model is Lexus' five-passenger luxury SUV, a very successful car for Toyota's upscale brand. It seats five passengers and essentially serves as a luxury sedan replacement.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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For the 2016 model year, Lexus gives the RX 450h, the hybrid-drive version of the RX model, a drastic styling change, which includes this massive grille.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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The RX 450h uses a 3.5-liter engine complemented by an electric-drive system, giving the SUV 308-horsepower total system output and fuel economy averaging close to 30 mpg.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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The F-Sport version of the RX 450h gets these custom wheels and a mechanically adaptive suspension, firming up the dampers in its Sport Plus drive mode.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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The styling change includes this floating roof, an effect achieved by blacking out a portion of the rear pillar.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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The standard RX 450h comes in front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive formats, while the F-Sport trim is only all-wheel drive.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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The RX 450h offers good cargo space flexibility, and its nickel metal-hydride battery pack does not intrude on the cabin.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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Molded sport seats in the F-Sport version have modest bolsters, keeping you in place without being intrusive.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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Lexus increased the rear-seat legroom for the 2016 model year.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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Electric power-steering tuning adds more heft to the wheel, making for a more satisfying driving experience.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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The F-Sport version of the RX 450h gets this single-gauge instrument cluster. The power gauge turns to a tachometer when in Sport or Sport Plus modes.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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The shifter electronically selects drive modes, as the RX 450h does not use a traditional gearbox.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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The joystick on the left controls infotainment, while the dial on the right selects drive modes.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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A 12.3-inch screen shows off infotainment functions.

2016 Lexus RX 450h
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The screen can be set to full-screen or split-screen view.

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