We as soon as described the Lexus RX as a “bowl of vanilla ice cream with no sprinkles.” We felt it was the antithesis of a sporty automotive, constructed for Boca Raton retirees to putter round to the golf course and their native Publix. So what was Lexus pondering by introducing an F Sport variant? The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid is now out there with a flagship RX 500h F Sport Efficiency trim, powered by probably the most potent powertrain the RX has ever seen because it launched within the US.

The RX 500h pairs a well-recognized 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two electrical motors. This is similar Hybrid Max setup discovered within the Toyota Crown and Grand Highlander however tuned to provide extra energy due to premium gasoline. We loved this powertrain in each the Toyotas, however cherished it much more within the RX. The 500h F Sport Efficiency can also be the costliest model of the RX up to now, engineered for patrons who crave the very best of each worlds and do not wish to decide between efficiency and gasoline economic system. When you can afford the excessive entry value, we expect it is the very best RX Lexus has ever constructed.

Exterior: Extra Copper Automobiles, Please

We will not discuss in regards to the RX 500’s styling with out addressing the colour, which is named Copper Crest. This daring, distinctive hue debuted on the 2023 RX however may also be added to the 2024 LC lineup (pictured under). It is beautiful. The paint has a rose gold look in direct daylight however seems darker on a cloudy day. Copper Crest acquired a great deal of optimistic consideration throughout our week-long take a look at, and we won’t wait to see it on extra Lexus fashions. When you desire to remain underneath the radar, the one different colours supplied on the 500h are white, gray, silver, and black.

We expect Lexus made a mistake debuting the RX in white, because it accentuated the bulbous ‘brow’ above the grille. As Copper Crest demonstrates, the grille is much extra tolerable with an precise colour surrounding it. 21-inch matte black wheels lend some efficiency cred that has by no means been seen earlier than on an RX. These wheels may also be swapped for metallic gray ones for $110 much less. Regardless of being a “efficiency” mannequin, the RX 500h doesn’t have seen exhaust ports on the again, which is a bit disappointing.

Inside: A Little Too A lot Tech

Many of the expertise within the RX is nice, however a couple of of the alternatives Lexus made could alienate the corporate’s loyal prospects. Even on this prime 500h mannequin, a 9.8-inch touchscreen comes normal, with a bigger 14-inch display out there as an a la carte possibility for $1,105 or $2,265 when mixed with a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system – the latter, particularly, is a worthwhile the improve. This is similar infotainment system present in different Lexus fashions with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus glorious native voice command with a “Hey Lexus” wake-up command.

Lexus eradicated the bodily local weather controls however allotted a pleasant section of the touchscreen to those features, making them fast and accessible with little distraction. The identical can’t be stated for the unlabeled buttons on the steering wheel. These four-way pads may be programmed with varied features, which may solely be seen on the gauges or the HUD by placing a finger on one. We a lot desire conventional buttons on the wheel and located these controls overly sophisticated.

We must always level out that the entrance seats are bolstered extra closely than different RX fashions, and also you would possibly wish to strive before you purchase. Black seats are normal on the 500h, which is a bit plain, however there’s a Rioja Purple leather-based possibility that pairs properly with the Darkish Graphite Aluminum trim.

Efficiency: Turbo + Hybrid = Pace

The RX 500h F Sport Efficiency combines a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 271 horsepower with an 80 kW eAxle on the rear. Along with a further electrical motor on the entrance, this mixture produces 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque despatched to a Direct4 all-wheel-drive system through a six-speed computerized transmission. Your Lexus supplier will not let you know this, however it can save you a bit of cash by placing common 87-octane gasoline within the RX 500h. Simply know your output will drop a bit to 362 hp and 400 lb-ft.

That is probably the most highly effective RX up to now, and it is also the quickest, with a 5.9-second 0-60 mph time. That is considerably faster than the turbocharged, non-hybrid RX 350 (7.2 seconds) and the frugal RX 350h (7.4 seconds).

Gas economic system is rated at 27/28/27 mpg for metropolis/freeway/mixed, which is a major enchancment over the gasoline RX 350 however not practically pretty much as good because the RX 350h (37/34/36 mpg). For the quantity of energy produced within the 500h F Sport Efficiency, 27 mpg mixed is fairly spectacular, and through our week of testing, we famous that the EPA score is spot on.

Driving Impressions: Gentle Aspect Of Efficiency

That is solely the second F Sport Efficiency mannequin for Lexus after the V8-powered IS 500, and should not be confused with F Sport Dealing with and Design packages out there throughout the Lexus lineup. In F Sport Efficiency mannequin, Lexus will increase the facility with out going mad on different components, just like the suspension. The RX 500h rides on Adaptive Variable Suspension with distinctive tuning, however it’s geared in direction of consolation moderately than monitor efficiency. This automotive nonetheless pitches a bit into corners, however it’s a much more pleasing expertise than any earlier RX. A 198-pound weight financial savings in comparison with the outgoing RX (due to the brand new TNGA-Okay platform) may be partially thanked right here. This automotive additionally has rear-wheel steering to additional enhance agility, and it is barely noticeable (in a great way), that means the RX would not really feel twitchy on the restrict.

Lexus affords the RX 500h with Michelin Pilot Tremendous Sport tires as normal, however sadly our tester got here driving on Bridgestone all-seasons that cherished to squeal and lose grip on the restrict. We might like to strive the automotive once more with the Michelin rubber. Although the tires did not stay as much as our expectations, the six-piston entrance brakes felt simply as much as the duty of stopping the RX 500h.

This hybrid powertrain has rapidly emerged as considered one of our favourite Lexus techniques. The transition from electrical to gasoline energy is seamless, as you’d anticipate from a Lexus hybrid, however the addition of a geared transmission eliminates that strained groaning sound from the eCVT utilized in different techniques throughout exhausting acceleration. Beneath regular driving conditions, the six-speed shifts imperceptibly, however the transmission jolts between gears while you mash the throttle. This mixture gives the very best components of hybrid metropolis driving with an exciting acceleration expertise.

Practicality: A No Fuss SUV

The RX is a nicely-sized SUV, although the shortage of a 3rd row could steer some patrons towards the upcoming Lexus TX. Heated and ventilated rear seats can be found for simply $680, making the RX’s rear quarters simply as luxurious because the entrance. For a further $550, these rear seats may be imbued with energy changes and a 40-20-40 break up.

With the press of a button, the rear seats may be folded right down to open up 46 cubic ft of cargo area. A second button raises the seats again up, nonetheless permitting for 29.5 cubes behind them. Rear occupants additionally get USB-C ports to fast-charge their gadgets and their very own local weather controls.

Pricing: Paying For The Finest Of Each Worlds

A 2023 RX 350 or 350h may be bought for round $50,000, however the 500h F Sport Efficiency carries a major premium for combining gasoline economic system and energy. The RX 500h begins at $62,750 and nonetheless requires a number of essential choices that don’t come normal, even on this prime trim. Our tester got here fairly decked out with the upgraded rear seats, the bigger infotainment display with Mark Levinson audio, a rear kick sensor, a panoramic view monitor, panoramic glass roof, triple-beam LED headlights, a digital rearview mirror, and extra. These choices introduced the as-tested value to a whopping $70,650 ( $71,800 with vacation spot).

That’s some huge cash for an RX, and we strongly consider a few of these elective extras ought to be normal. That being stated, that is simply probably the most compelling RX we have ever pushed. The gasoline economic system is superior to the gas-only RX 350, however it produces 91 extra horsepower. It isn’t as environment friendly because the RX 350h, however it has a 120 horsepower benefit over that mannequin.

When you merely cannot justify the spend on the RX 500h, the 350h is a compelling second selection that provides a stellar 36-mpg score on the expense of efficiency. However if you happen to can afford it, the RX 500h F Sport Efficiency improves upon every little thing that made the RX a best-seller for Lexus, and eventually makes it enjoyable.