Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Efficiency AWD
Specs
Class: Premium Midsize Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: Canada
Colour: Iridian
Miles pushed: 188
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
| Match and End | A |
| Gas Financial system | A- |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not replicate Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | B+ |
| Tall Man | B |
| Massive & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 366-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Sort | Hybrid, Turbocharged 4 |
| Transmission | 6-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Noticed gas economic system: 26.5 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 27/28/27 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas sort: Premium fuel
Base worth: $64,800 (not together with $1350 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: 120-volt AC outlet ($550), Comfort Bundle ($1670), heated and ventilated rear seats ($1230), LED headlights ($1565), Mark Levinson-brand premium audio system ($1160), energy rear hatch with foot sensor ($150), particular paint ($500), Know-how Bundle ($475), Digital Key ($150), cargo mat ($460), illuminated door sills ($460), illuminated cargo sill ($300)
Worth as examined: $86,304
Audio-System Model
Mark Levinson
Audio-System High quality
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Glorious
Professionals and Cons
The good: Refined and roomy cabin, loads of energy
The nice: Good dealing with, spectacular gas economic system, wonderful construct high quality
The not so good: Not as aggressively sport as “Efficiency” moniker suggests
Assessment
There are not any guaranties in buying a brand new automobile. No maker produces flawless automobiles on a regular basis, however some makers are way more constant than others—each in good methods, and in not-so-good methods. Take Lexus, for instance. Toyota’s luxurious model Lexus, now greater than 35 12 months outdated, has constructed a fame for high quality that shames even German premium carmakers.
Lexus Predictability
And whereas we’re sure that the model has cranked out the occasional lemon or two—although this creator has no anecdotal proof to that impact–it’s extremely most likely that your subsequent Lexus can be effectively constructed, refined, stylish, and really dependable. There’s additionally a superb likelihood, let’s name this one practically sure, that the car you buy, isn’t going to be very sporty. This regardless of how a lot Lexus desires you suppose in any other case.
Lexus Efficiency
Now Lexus has constructed various completely professional sporty automobiles, however with regards to crossovers, the maker usually sticks to only making them look racy. As for automobiles, the IS 500 F Sport small sedan is an absolute hoot to drive.
All that mentioned, we’re not satisfied that the viewers for genuinely sporty crossovers is all that large. American drivers appeared have misplaced their lust for pace, and are largely content material to drive automobiles that look the half, however are in reality, comfy.
Buyer Expectations
Now, we’re not counsel folks need boring automobiles, particularly not luxury-vehicle intenders. Certainly, energy–and the promise of efficiency–are nonetheless necessary. However how a lot efficiency, and the way a lot luxurious automobile buyers are keen to surrender for that efficiency, could be tough for even the most-seasoned premium carmakers to calculate. And that’s what’s key right here: Balancing efficiency with the notion of efficiency, whereas giving up as little luxurious as doable.
So, whereas we poke at Lexus for not constructing really sporty crossovers, we applaud them for understanding their viewers so effectively.
Lexus RX
Enter the Lexus RX. Final redesigned for the 2023 mannequin 12 months, the 2-row, midsize RX crossover has lengthy been the model’s best-selling mannequin, and it’s a benchmark for the qualities Lexus finds most necessary in a luxurious car. Lexus as now sells the 3-row TX, which shares lots of the RX’s qualities, and has cannibalized a few of its gross sales. Name us old style, however we desire RX’s considerably tidier dimensions.
The RX is obtainable in each standard and hybrid variations, together with a single, performance-oriented turbo hybrid mannequin, AND a plug-in hybrid mannequin.
Customary non-hybrid fashions vary in worth from $50,475 to $61,270.
Costs and Trim Ranges
Hybrid fashions, which we can be discussing additional, are provided within the following trim ranges:
- RX 350h ($52,775)
- RX 350h Premium ($55,025)
- RX 350h F Sport Design ($57,355)
- RX 350h Premium+ ($58,515)
- RX 350h Luxurious ($63,570)
- RX 500h F Sport Efficiency ($66,150)
- RX 400h + ($72,610)
Plug-in Hybrid
For folk eager about a plug-in hybrid mannequin, notice that for 2026 (which is correct across the nook), Lexus can be including an RX 400h + mannequin with a beginning worth of round $66,000.
Engines
Whereas non-hybrid RX fashions 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 electrical 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 include a CVT-style automated transmission, whereas the 500h is provided with a standard 6-speed auto.
Additionally provided 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 might present an estimated 37 miles of journey on battery energy alone when totally charged.
Word that every one hybrid RX variants include AWD.
Check Automotive
Client Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a very-well outfitted 2025 RX 500h in Iridium. Filled with choices, and together with the vacation spot cost, our check automobile got here to $74,795.
Design
Some ideas on design: The black-trim, together with the black wheels, offers the RX a commanding presence, and makes essentially the most of what would in any other case be a quite boring paint shade. We just like the aggressive standup grille, and huge fake air intakes which flank it. The RX 500h does a pleasant job of trying each premium and upscale. And, like a Lexus.
Room and Consolation
This huge creator appreciates the RX’s large door openings and roomy front-row seats. Although the entrance seats seem sporty, incorporating what look like aspect bolsters into their design, the seats are literally fairly accommodating even for bigger of us. Rear seat area is equally beneficiant.
Cabin Appointments
The cabin is fairly spiffy in 500h trim, too. Our automobile was fitted with purple and black leather-based, and in sometimes Lexus vogue, was assembled with precision. That is the sort of sportiness we will respect.
Controls and Connectivity
The controls are Lexus typical, which is excessive reward. The massive touchscreen is central to most features, together with local weather management. Whereas we usually desire to have local weather operation managed by bodily switchgear, the system works effectively, and we respect the built-in rotary knobs used for temperature management.
Efficiency Tools
However, lets speak somewhat about what it means for a car to be “sporty.” Shifting up the 500h means having fun with the companies of a few fascinating high-tech options, in addition to handsome 21-inch enable wheels.
Adaptive Suspension
The 500h is the one RX outfitted with what Lexus calls Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). This method robotically adjusts the suspension’s damping drive primarily based on driving circumstances and driver enter, offering a extra comfy experience on tough surfaces and firmer, extra steady dealing with throughout spirited driving or cornering. Think about this an enhanced type of the drive-mode methods discovered on different RX fashions.
4-wheel Steering
Additionally unique to the RX 500 is one thing Lexus calls Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS). Principally a four-wheel-steering system, DRS can flip the rear wheels left or proper as much as 4 levels. At low speeds, the rear wheels flip in the other way of the entrance wheels to extend agility and cut back the turning radius, making parking and tight turns simpler. At excessive speeds, the rear wheels flip in the identical route because the entrance wheels to enhance stability and dealing with, particularly throughout lane modifications.
Experience and Dealing with
These subtle methods don’t make the RX 500 a sports activities automobile, however they remodel the soft crossover right into a luxurious commuter crossover that responds effectively to being hustled. Add to the dealing with—and properly weighted and correct steering—the simple energy from the turbocharged and hybridized engine, and you’ve got an LX that’s no much less comfy than the remainder of the lineup, however can be keen to hunker down somewhat round corners. Oh, and the engine sounds nice. Credit score the refined burble from the exhaust, in addition to some fastidiously ported engine noise that makes its means into the cabin. All this enjoyable comes with little penalty in gas economic system. Our check automobile return just below 27 mpg throughout its week with Client Information.
Quietness
Underway the RX is loads comfy, which is the crossover’s major mission. The cabin is quiet, ethereal, and more-or-less an ideal place to get pleasure from a protracted drive. A few of that quietness could be attributed one other high-tech system: Energetic Sound Management (ASC). This characteristic balances two sub methods, Energetic Noise Cancellation (ANC) with Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE). The ASC setup is design to, “Create a quiet, luxurious cabin expertise whereas nonetheless permitting for an enticing engine sound throughout spirited driving.” Whereas we’re somewhat bitter about all of the acronyms, we will’t argue with the outcomes. From inside, the RX 500 sounds each sporty and refined—and even somewhat partaking.
Worth
The RX 500h is somewhat like a linebacker that fits up, however by no means will get into the sport. However we predict that Lexus clients need issues this manner. In comparison with M-performance variations of BMW automobiles, and AMG Mercedes-Benz fashions, The RX 500h is much less canyon carver or straight-line muscle machine, and extra grand tourer; it rides higher than lots of these caffeinated crossovers, and is cheaper. Lexus has struck a nice steadiness of sporty really feel and severe luxurious that premium-crossover buyers will respect. The RX 500h F Sport Efficiency is just not a compromise, however an alternative choice to premium crossovers which may be somewhat too sporty.
2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Efficiency in IridiumTake heed to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Lexus RX500h F Sport Efficiency Photos
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