2010 Lexus RX 450h

2010 Lexus RX 450h

For many Americans, the Lexus RX crossover utility vehicle is the face of Toyota's luxury brand. When it launched in 1999, it hit a sweet spot among buyers who wanted a luxurious midsized SUV-alike with Toyota's legendary reliability. In fact, the RX now accounts for more than half of all Lexus vehicles sold in the States.

The second-generation RX was the first Lexus of any kind to be offered with the Hybrid Synergy Drive system. That RX400h model debuted as a 2005 model; now, the hybrid is a core model for the third-generation RX.

Today Lexus released pricing for the 2010 RX450h hybrid model. The base price of the front-wheel-drive model is $41,660, and the all-wheel-drive variant starts at $43,250.

On top of each price, buyers will be hit with a mandatory $870 charge for delivery, bringing the stickers to $42,530 and $44,120 respectively. Beyond that, you can add several trim levels and/or option packages, meaning that the nicest version will roll out at well over $50,000.

That's a case where buyers should pray for the return of higher gas prices, since the front-wheel-drive RX450h delivers EPA mileage ratings of 32 mpg city / 28 mpg highway, for a combined 30 mpg. The all-wheel-drive version is almost as good, at 30 mpg city / 29 mpg highway for a combined rating of 29 mpg.

2010 Lexus RX 450h

2010 Lexus RX 450h

2010 Lexus RX 450h

2010 Lexus RX 450h