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 stage evaluated, and will not mirror Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | B+ |
| Tall Man | B |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores 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 financial system: 26.5 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 27/28/27 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas sort: Premium gasoline
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)
Worth as examined: $86,304
Audio-System Model
Mark Levinson
Audio-System High quality
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Wonderful
Execs and Cons
The nice: Refined and roomy cabin, loads of energy
The nice: Good dealing with, spectacular gas financial system, glorious 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 automotive. No maker produces flawless vehicles on a regular basis, however some makers are much 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 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 will probably be effectively constructed, refined, elegant, and really dependable. There may be additionally likelihood, let’s name this one almost sure, that the car you buy, isn’t going to be very sporty. This regardless of how a lot Lexus needs you suppose in any other case.
Lexus Efficiency
Now Lexus has constructed a lot of completely respectable sporty vehicles, however relating 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 huge. American drivers appeared have misplaced their lust for velocity, and are largely content material to drive automobiles that look the half, however are actually, snug.
Buyer Expectations
Now, we’re not recommend individuals 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, could be troublesome 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 yr, 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-fashioned, however we choose RX’s considerably tidier dimensions.
The RX is obtainable in each typical and hybrid variations, together with a single, performance-oriented turbo hybrid mannequin, AND a plug-in hybrid mannequin.
Commonplace non-hybrid fashions vary in worth from $50,475 to $61,270.
Costs and Trim Ranges
Hybrid fashions, which we will probably 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 folk fascinated with a plug-in hybrid mannequin, word that for 2026 (which is correct across the nook), Lexus will probably 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 supplied 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 present an estimated 37 miles of journey on battery energy alone when totally charged.
Observe that every one hybrid RX variants include AWD.
Take a look at Automobile
Client Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a very-well outfitted 2025 RX 500h in Iridium. Full of choices, and together with the vacation spot cost, our check automotive 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 relatively uninteresting 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 wanting each premium and upscale. And, like a Lexus.
Room and Consolation
This huge writer appreciates the RX’s huge door openings and roomy front-row seats. Although the entrance seats seem sporty, incorporating what look like facet bolsters into their design, the seats are literally fairly accommodating even for bigger of us. Rear seat house 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 trend, was assembled with precision. That is the type of sportiness we will admire.
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 choose to have local weather operation managed by bodily switchgear, the system works effectively, and we admire 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 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 outfitted with what Lexus calls Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). This method mechanically adjusts the suspension’s damping drive primarily based on driving situations and driver enter, offering a extra snug journey on tough surfaces and firmer, extra secure dealing with throughout spirited driving or cornering. Take into account 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 other 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 course because the entrance wheels to enhance stability and dealing with, particularly throughout lane modifications.
Trip and Dealing with
These refined methods don’t make the RX 500 a sports activities automotive, however they rework the comfortable 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 straightforward energy from the turbocharged and hybridized engine, and you’ve got an LX that’s no much less snug than the remainder of the lineup, however can also 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 rigorously ported engine noise that makes its approach into the cabin. All this enjoyable comes with little penalty in gas financial system. Our check automotive return just below 27 mpg throughout its week with Client Information.
Quietness
Underway the RX is lots snug, which is the crossover’s main mission. The cabin is quiet, ethereal, and more-or-less an ideal place to get pleasure from an extended drive. A few of that quietness could be attributed one other high-tech system: Energetic Sound Management (ASC). This function 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 attractive 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 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 a lot of these caffeinated crossovers, and is inexpensive. Lexus has struck a wonderful stability of sporty really feel and critical luxurious that premium-crossover consumers will admire. The RX 500h F Sport Efficiency will not be 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 Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Lexus RX500h F Sport Efficiency Footage
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