Text by Tom Appel
2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD
Specs
Class: Premium Midsize Crossover
Country of Manufacture: Canada
Color: Iridian
Miles driven: 188
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B+ |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | A- |
| Value | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B+ |
| Tall Guy | B |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 366-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Type | Hybrid, Turbocharged Four |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Observed fuel economy: 26.5 mpg
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 27/28/27 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas
Base price: $64,800 (not including $1350 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: 120-volt AC outlet ($550), Convenience Package ($1670), heated and ventilated rear seats ($1230), LED headlights ($1565), Mark Levinson-brand premium audio system ($1160), power rear hatch with foot sensor ($150), special paint ($500), Technology Package ($475), Digital Key ($150), cargo mat ($460), illuminated door sills ($460), illuminated cargo sill ($300)
Price as tested: $86,304
Audio-System Brand
Mark Levinson
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Refined and roomy cabin, plenty of power
The good: Good handling, impressive fuel economy, excellent build quality
The not so good: Not as aggressively sport as “Performance” moniker suggests
Review
There are no guaranties in purchasing a new car. No maker produces flawless cars all the time, but some makers are far more consistent than others—both in good ways, and in not-so-good ways. Take Lexus, for example. Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus, now more than 35 year old, has built a reputation for quality that shames even German premium carmakers.
Lexus Predictability
And while we’re certain that the brand has cranked out the occasional lemon or two—though this author has no anecdotal evidence to that effect–it is highly probably that your next Lexus will be well built, refined, classy, and very reliable. There is also a good chance, let’s call this one nearly certain, that the vehicle you purchase, isn’t going to be very sporty. This despite how much Lexus wants you think otherwise.
Lexus Performance
Now Lexus has built a number of totally legitimate sporty cars, but when it comes to crossovers, the maker generally sticks to just making them look racy. As for cars, the IS 500 F Sport small sedan is an absolute hoot to drive.
All that said, we’re not convinced that the audience for genuinely sporty crossovers is all that big. American drivers seemed have lost their lust for speed, and are largely content to drive vehicles that look the part, but are in fact, comfortable.
Customer Expectations
Now, we’re not suggest people want dull cars, especially not luxury-vehicle intenders. Indeed, power–and the promise of performance–are still important. But how much performance, and how much luxury car shoppers are willing to give up for that performance, can be difficult for even the most-seasoned premium carmakers to calculate. And that’s what’s key here: Balancing performance with the perception of performance, while giving up as little luxury as possible.
So, while we poke at Lexus for not building truly sporty crossovers, we applaud them for understanding their audience so well.
Lexus RX
Enter the Lexus RX. Last redesigned for the 2023 model year, the 2-row, midsize RX crossover has long been the brand’s best-selling model, and it’s a benchmark for the qualities Lexus finds most important in a luxury vehicle. Lexus as now sells the 3-row TX, which shares many of the RX’s qualities, and has cannibalized some of its sales. Call us old school, but we prefer RX’s somewhat tidier dimensions.
The RX is offered in both conventional and hybrid variations, along with a single, performance-oriented turbo hybrid model, AND a plug-in hybrid model.
Standard non-hybrid models range in price from $50,475 to $61,270.
Prices and Trim Levels
Hybrid models, which we will be discussing further, are offered in the following trim levels:
- RX 350h ($52,775)
- RX 350h Premium ($55,025)
- RX 350h F Sport Design ($57,355)
- RX 350h Premium+ ($58,515)
- RX 350h Luxury ($63,570)
- RX 500h F Sport Performance ($66,150)
- RX 400h + ($72,610)
Plug-in Hybrid
For folks thinking about a plug-in hybrid model, note that for 2026 (which is right around the corner), Lexus will be adding an RX 400h + model with a starting price of around $66,000.
Engines
While non-hybrid RX models make do with a turbocharged 275-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, RX 350h examples are fitted with 2.5-liter engine mated to a pair of electric motors for a system output of 246 horsepower. The 500h mates a turbocharged 2.4-liter with a pair motors and is rated at 366 horsepower. All 350h RXs come with a CVT-style automatic transmission, while the 500h is equipped with a conventional 6-speed auto.
Also offered is the aforementioned 400h + plug-in hybrid. It pairs the 350h’s 2,5-liter hybrid engine with an 18.1-kWh battery. The system is rated at 304 horsepower, and can provide an estimated 37 miles of travel on battery power alone when fully charged.
Note that all hybrid RX variants come with AWD.
Test Car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a very-well equipped 2025 RX 500h in Iridium. Packed with options, and including the destination charge, our test car came to $74,795.
Design
Some thoughts on design: The black-trim, including the black wheels, gives the RX a commanding presence, and makes the most of what would otherwise be a rather dull paint color. We like the aggressive standup grille, and large faux air intakes which flank it. The RX 500h does a nice job of looking both premium and upscale. And, like a Lexus.
Room and Comfort
This large author appreciates the RX’s big door openings and roomy front-row seats. Though the front seats appear sporty, incorporating what appear to be side bolsters into their design, the seats are actually quite accommodating even for larger folks. Rear seat space is similarly generous.
Cabin Appointments
The cabin is pretty spiffy in 500h trim, too. Our car was fitted with red and black leather, and in typically Lexus fashion, was assembled with precision. This is the kind of sportiness we can appreciate.
Controls and Connectivity
The controls are Lexus typical, which is high praise. The large touchscreen is central to most functions, including climate control. While we generally prefer to have climate operation managed by physical switchgear, the system works well, and we appreciate the integrated rotary knobs used for temperature control.
Performance Equipment
But, lets talk a little about what it means for a vehicle to be “sporty.” Moving up the 500h means enjoying the services of a couple of interesting high-tech features, as well as good-looking 21-inch allow wheels.
Adaptive Suspension
The 500h is the only RX equipped with what Lexus calls Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). This system automatically adjusts the suspension’s damping force based on driving conditions and driver input, providing a more comfortable ride on rough surfaces and firmer, more stable handling during spirited driving or cornering. Consider this an enhanced form of the drive-mode systems found on other RX models.
Four-wheel Steering
Also exclusive to the RX 500 is something Lexus calls Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS). Basically a four-wheel-steering system, DRS can turn the rear wheels left or right up to four degrees. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels to increase agility and reduce the turning radius, making parking and tight turns easier. At high speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels to improve stability and handling, especially during lane changes.
Ride and Handling
These sophisticated systems do not make the RX 500 a sports car, but they transform the cushy crossover into a luxury commuter crossover that responds well to being hustled. Add to the handling—and nicely weighted and accurate steering—the easy power from the turbocharged and hybridized engine, and you have an LX that is no less comfortable than the rest of the lineup, but is also willing to hunker down a little around corners. Oh, and the engine sounds great. Credit the refined burble from the exhaust, as well as some carefully ported engine noise that makes its way into the cabin. All this fun comes with little penalty in fuel economy. Our test car return just under 27 mpg during its week with Consumer Guide.
Quietness
Underway the RX is plenty comfortable, which is the crossover’s primary mission. The cabin is quiet, airy, and more-or-less a perfect place to enjoy a long drive. Some of that quietness can be attributed another high-tech system: Active Sound Control (ASC). This feature balances two sub systems, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE). The ASC setup is design to, “Create a quiet, luxurious cabin experience while still allowing for an engaging engine sound during spirited driving.” While we’re a little sour about all the acronyms, we can’t argue with the results. From inside, the RX 500 sounds both sporty and refined—and even a little engaging.
Value
The RX 500h is a little like a linebacker that suits up, but never gets into the game. But we think that Lexus customers want things this way. Compared to M-performance versions of BMW vehicles, and AMG Mercedes-Benz models, The RX 500h is less canyon carver or straight-line muscle machine, and more grand tourer; it rides better than many of those caffeinated crossovers, and is less expensive. Lexus has struck a fine balance of sporty feel and serious luxury that premium-crossover shoppers will appreciate. The RX 500h F Sport Performance is not a compromise, but an alternative to premium crossovers that may be a little too sporty.
2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance in IridiumListen to the Car Stuff Podcast
2025 Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance Pictures
Click below for enlarged images
