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 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 will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | B+ |
| Tall Man | B |
| Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 366-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Sort | Hybrid, Turbocharged 4 |
| Transmission | 6-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Noticed gasoline financial system: 26.5 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 27/28/27 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas sort: Premium fuel
Base value: $64,800 (not together with $1350 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: 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)
Value as examined: $86,304
Audio-System Model
Mark Levinson
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Glorious
Professionals and Cons
The good: Refined and roomy cabin, loads of energy
The great: Good dealing with, spectacular gasoline financial system, wonderful construct high quality
The not so good: Not as aggressively sport as “Efficiency” moniker suggests
Evaluation
There aren’t any guaranties in buying a brand new automotive. No maker produces flawless vehicles 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 previous, has constructed a popularity 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 writer has no anecdotal proof to that impact–it’s extremely in all probability that your subsequent Lexus might be nicely constructed, refined, elegant, and really dependable. There may be additionally a superb probability, let’s name this one almost sure, that the automobile 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 plenty of completely professional sporty vehicles, however in relation to crossovers, the maker typically sticks to simply making them look racy. As for vehicles, the IS 500 F Sport small sedan is an absolute hoot to drive.
All that stated, we’re not satisfied that the viewers for genuinely sporty crossovers is all that large. American drivers appeared have misplaced their lust for velocity, and are largely content material to drive automobiles that look the half, however are in actual fact, comfy.
Buyer Expectations
Now, we’re not counsel folks need uninteresting vehicles, 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 automotive consumers are keen 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 potential.
So, whereas we poke at Lexus for not constructing actually sporty crossovers, we applaud them for understanding their viewers so nicely.
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 automobile. Lexus as now sells the 3-row TX, which shares most of the RX’s qualities, and has cannibalized a few of its gross sales. Name us old style, however we want 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.
Normal non-hybrid fashions vary in value from $50,475 to $61,270.
Costs and Trim Ranges
Hybrid fashions, which we might 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 people enthusiastic about a plug-in hybrid mannequin, notice that for 2026 (which is true across the nook), Lexus might be including an RX 400h + mannequin with a beginning value 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 computerized 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.
Notice that each one hybrid RX variants include AWD.
Check Automobile
Client Information not too long ago spent per week behind the wheel of a very-well geared up 2025 RX 500h in Iridium. Full of choices, and together with the vacation spot cost, our take a look at automotive got here to $74,795.
Design
Some ideas on design: The black-trim, together with the black wheels, provides the RX a commanding presence, and makes essentially the most of what would in any other case be a reasonably uninteresting paint shade. We just like the aggressive standup grille, and enormous 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 writer appreciates the RX’s large door openings and roomy front-row seats. Although the entrance seats seem sporty, incorporating what seem like facet 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 automotive was fitted with pink and black leather-based, and in usually Lexus style, was assembled with precision. That is the form of sportiness we are able to recognize.
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 typically want to have local weather operation managed by bodily switchgear, the system works nicely, and we recognize the built-in rotary knobs used for temperature management.
Efficiency Gear
However, lets speak a little bit about what it means for a automobile 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 enable wheels.
Adaptive Suspension
The 500h is the one RX geared up with what Lexus calls Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). This method robotically adjusts the suspension’s damping power based mostly on driving circumstances and driver enter, offering a extra comfy trip on tough surfaces and firmer, extra secure dealing with throughout spirited driving or cornering. Think about this an enhanced type of the drive-mode programs 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 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 adjustments.
Experience and Dealing with
These subtle programs don’t make the RX 500 a sports activities automotive, however they rework the comfortable crossover right into a luxurious commuter crossover that responds nicely to being hustled. Add to the dealing with—and properly weighted 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 keen 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 manner into the cabin. All this enjoyable comes with little penalty in gasoline financial system. Our take a look at automotive return slightly below 27 mpg throughout its week with Client Information.
Quietness
Underway the RX is loads comfy, which is the crossover’s main 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 might be attributed one other high-tech system: Lively Sound Management (ASC). This characteristic balances two sub programs, 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 we’re 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 participating.
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 clients need issues this fashion. 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 a lot of these caffeinated crossovers, and is inexpensive. Lexus has struck a effective steadiness of sporty really feel and severe luxurious that premium-crossover consumers will recognize. The RX 500h F Sport Efficiency shouldn’t be a compromise, however an alternative choice to 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
Click on beneath for enlarged photos