Lexus RX 450h cuts luxury tax

Thanks to combined fuel economy less than seven litres per 100km, the new RX is the first hybrid to qualify for partial exemption on the luxury car tax which means a saving to buyers of about $4000.

Lexus Australia boss John Roca said the price reduction was not only due to luxury tax exemptions up to $75,000 of the price but also more efficient hybrid technology production.

Buyers of the base model Prestige will pay a recommended retail price of $89,990, which is $8000 below the previous model RX400h, even though it comes with more features such as smart start, a 12-speaker sound system and remote touch computer system.

“It (hybrids) will continue to become more affordable as hybrid technology progresses,” Roca said.

RX hybrid was the cheapest Lexus hybrid yet and represented excellent value for money, he said.

Lexus has three months of orders already even though buyers were not aware of the final price.

“Dealers have been assuming that the price would go about $10,000 on the previous model,” Roca said.

The RX450h comes in three trim levels, mirroring the RX350 launched in February: the Prestige, the Sports ($96,900) and the Sports Luxury ($107,900).

Roca said they expected to sell 60 a month which was a 70 per cent increase on the RX400h and would represent 30 per cent of all RX sales.

The new RX hybrid is 10 per cent more powerful than the RX400h with a combined peak power output of 220kW and 23 per cent more efficient with economy of 6.4L/100km and CO2 emissions of 150g/km.

It also has a bigger footprint on the road with a wider track and wheelbase.

The RX450h will be available in the market from July 13.