Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Efficiency AWD
Specs
Class: Premium Midsize Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: Canada
Coloration: Iridian
Miles pushed: 188
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
| Match and End | A |
| Gas Economic 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 Shopper Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | B+ |
| Tall Man | B |
| Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly 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 kind: 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), Expertise Bundle ($475), Digital Key ($150), cargo mat ($460), illuminated door sills ($460), illuminated cargo sill ($300)
Value as examined: $86,304
Audio-System Model
Mark Levinson
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Glorious
Execs 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
Evaluate
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 Toyota’s luxurious model Lexus, now greater than 35 yr outdated, has constructed a fame for high quality that shames even German premium carmakers.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 shall be nicely constructed, refined, elegant, and really dependable. There’s additionally a great probability, 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 assume in any other case.
Lexus Efficiency
Now Lexus has constructed various completely official sporty automobiles, however in relation 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 stated, we’re not satisfied that viewers for genuinely sporty crossovers is all that huge. American drivers appeared have misplaced their lust for pace, and are largely content material to drive automobiles that look the half, however are actually, comfy.
Buyer Expectations
Now, we’re not recommend individuals 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 prepared to surrender for that efficiency, might 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 nicely.
Lexus RX
Enter the Lexus RX. Final redesigned for the 2023 mannequin yr, the 2-row, midsize RX crossover has lengthy been the model’s best-selling mannequin, and it’s 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-fashioned, however we choose RX’s considerably tidier dimensions.
The RX is obtainable in each typical and hybrid variations, alongside a single, performance-oriented turbo hybrid mannequin, AND a plug-in hybrid mannequin.
Normal fashions vary in worth from $50,475 to $61,270.
Costs and Trim Ranges
Hybrid fashions, which we shall be discussing additional, are supplied 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 people fascinated by a plug-in hybrid mannequin, observe that for 2026 (which is true across the nook), Lexus shall 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 typical 6-speed auto.
Additionally supplied 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 journey an estimated 37 miles on battery energy alone when absolutely charged.
Notice that each one hybrid RX variants include AWD.
Take a look at Automobile
Shopper Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a very-well geared up 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 and black wheels, give the RX a commanding presence, and makes essentially the most of what would in any other case be a relatively boring paint colour. We just like the aggressive standup grille, and huge fake air intakes which flank it. The RX 500h does a pleasant job of wanting each premium and upscale. And, like a Lexus.
Room and Consolation
This huge creator appreciates the RX’s huge 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 people. Rear seat area is equally beneficiant.
Cabin Appointments
The cabin is fairly spiffy in 500h trim, too. Our automobile was fitted with crimson and black leather-based, and in sometimes Lexus trend, was assembled with valuable. That is the sort of sportiness we are able to respect.
Controls and Connectivity
The controls are Lexus typical, which is excessive reward. The big touchscreen is central to most capabilities, together with local weather management. Whereas we usually choose to have local weather operation managed by bodily switchgear, the system works nicely, and we respect the built-in rotary knobs used for temperature management.
Efficiency Tools
However, lets discuss a little bit about what it means for a car to be “sporty.” Shifting up the 500h means having fun with the providers of a few attention-grabbing high-tech options, in addition to handsome 21-inch permit wheels.
Adaptive Suspension
The 500h is the one RX geared up with what Lexus calls Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). This technique robotically adjusts the suspension’s damping power based mostly on driving circumstances and driver enter, offering a extra comfy experience on tough surfaces and firmer, extra secure 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). Mainly 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 wrong way of the entrance wheels to extend agility and scale 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.
Journey and Dealing with
These subtle methods do make the RX 500 a sports activities automobile, however they remodel the soft crossover right into a luxurious commuter crossover that responds nicely to being hustled. Add to the dealing with—and properly waited and correct steering—the straightforward 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 also be prepared to hunker down a little bit round corners. Oh, and the engine sounds nice. Credit score the refined burble from the exhaust, in addition to some rigorously ported engine noise that makes its method 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 Shopper Information.
Quietness
Underway the RX is lots comfy, which is the crossover’s main mission. The cabin is quiet, ethereal, and more-or-less an ideal place to take pleasure in an extended drive. A few of that quietness might be attributed one other high-tech system: Lively Sound Management (ASC). This function balances two sub methods, Lively Noise Cancellation (ANC) with Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE). The ASC setup is design to, “Create a quiet, luxurious cabin expertise whereas nonetheless permitting for a fascinating engine sound throughout spirited driving.” Whereas have been a little bit bitter about all of the acronyms, we are able to’t argue with the outcomes. From inside, the RX 500 sounds each sporty and refined—and even a little bit partaking.
Worth
The RX 500h is a little bit like a linebacker that fits up, however by no means will get into the sport. However we expect that Lexus prospects 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 high quality steadiness of sporty really feel and critical luxurious that premium-crossover buyers will respect. The RX 500h F Sport Efficiency is just not a compromise, however a substitute for premium crossovers that could be a little bit too sporty.
2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Efficiency in IridiumTake heed to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Lexus RX500h F Sport Efficiency Photos
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