The fabulous all-new fifth-generation 2024 Lexus RX 500h F Sport midsized premium crossover is built on the new lighter and more rigid TNGA-K scalable platform (chassis is also used in the Toyota Crown, Toyota Century, Lexus LM, and Lexus TX to name a few) and is currently available in our Philippine market in two lower RX 350h variants with a starting price of P5,268,000.00 for the Executive model and P6,418,000.00 for the Premier model with more standard equipment. At this level of pricing and packaging, I am glad that Lexus Philippines chose to send me the top-spec RX 500h F Sport model at P6,908,000.00 which has 99% of the available factory options on board sans the full panoramic roof available in other markets.
The Lexus RX 500h F Sport variant is equipped with the trick new Direct4 all-wheel drive system first experienced and available in the brilliant fully electrified RZ 450e combined with a smaller but potent turbocharged 2.4-liter transverse engine mated to a smart 6-speed automatic, which you can also manage via steering wheel paddleshifts. The overall length is the same as its predecessor; however the wheelbase is longer by 60mm, the sensual new body is wider by 25mm with wider tracks, and a lower center of gravity by 15mm.
By dimension, packaging, and pedigree, the Lexus RX 500h F Sport essentially sits between a BMW X3/iX3 and BMW X5 and is larger than the Mercedes-Benz GLC. The new design uses more refined lines from the new grille to the tail with unique signature lighting highlighted by the enticing and abundant F Sport bespoke trim touches from the bodywork to the embossed front seat headrests and aluminum pedals.
With the new lighter chassis and potent electrified parallel hybrid drivetrain are further generous weight-saving measures like aluminum front fenders, aluminum steering support, B-pillars made of 2.0 GPa-class hot-stamped steel, significantly reinforced mounting points using short-pitch welding, laser screw welding, structural adhesives, and exhaustive NVH treatments that all combined creates a very solid feeling vehicle that is remarkably agile and light-footed despite its actual substantial weight. Lexus core values of supreme build quality and progressive forward thinking are exemplified and thoroughly celebrated with the RX 500h, which may seat five adults but is best used as a four-seater for maximum comfort for all occupants. There is nothing dull, out of place, or boring inside and out of the RX 500h.
The Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which is standard on the RX500h F Sport, continually and instantly optimizes the balance of dynamic performance and ride comfort. It rides still on the more debonaire side rather than a fierce road warrior even when using the Sport drive mode. The Lexus RX500h uses two electric motors working seamlessly with the eager 2.4-liter powerplant to produce more than 90hp more than the RX 350h. A fairly small 1.44 kWh nickel-metal-hydride battery pack is located under the rear seat and manages electricity of two motors, one between the engine and six-speed automatic transmission with a wet start clutch (instead of e-CVT found in most Toyota/Lexus hybrid/EV models) and the other directly powers the rear e-axle. You don’t feel the instant torque from naught like with the RZ 450e but it also does not behave like a traditional hybrid either. The model-specific upgraded front 6-piston floating brake caliper controlling two-piece vented rotors are appropriately powerful, so much so that you do have to feather your foot from time to time to avoid excessive grabbiness.
The Lexus RX 500h F Sport generates the sensations and performance of larger displacement powerplants in the past but without the aural and vibration nuances combined with more kindness to the environment and more range. As an RX model, it is at its most polished and most mature, literally earning the justification for its sticker retail price. It is a genuine high-performance crossover with a more pronounced conscience. The parallel hybrid drivetrain elevates performance by seeking the very best way to give the driver the most power at their disposal as often as possible unlike other hybrid programing that primarily focuses on maximum efficiency. The active rear steering is very special too which operates depending on speed and angle of steering attack up to 4-degrees working with or at opposite angles especially for low-speed maneuvering when parking, doing a U-turn, or in light off-road trailing, ultimately yielding a turning radius that bests most subcompact and even mini-compact cars. The system further creates the sense of real athleticism with quick reflexes while still amazingly functioning with Lexus’ characteristic elegance and poise.
The slightly smaller fully electrified Lexus RZ 450e is still quicker and livelier than the RX 500h but with the larger crossover you have no range anxiety and still get the legal coding exemption. There is very minimal turbo lag, the instant thrust from the two electric drive motors masks any minute lag. The governed top speed is only 210 km/h, which you can swiftly reach quicker than the majority of sedans on the road.
The 21-inch alloys look great and are wrapped with very good Michelin Pilot Sport4 SUV tires which has a very favorable balance of tenacity and ride comfort. The tires may look modestly wide with only 235 sections on all corners, but they perform flawlessly.
The fuel mileage after our testing was 8 li/100km. combined overall). 0-100 km/h acceleration is consistently 5.9 seconds. The combined power from the two electric motors and 2.4-liter turbo is 366 hp / 406 lb-ft which are numbers we used to see and enjoy from Teutonic V8 engines!
The Lexus RX 500h F Sport interior is wonderfully finished with a plethora of unique materials and surfaces combined with high technology. Highlight features include the 1800-watt 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio, the massive 14-inch infotainment control screen, the 10-inch HUD, enhanced connectivity, and the wireless phone charger. Lexus also features their own unique synthetic engine noise pumped into the cabin under throttle to disguise the electrified character, at varying levels depending on the drive mode selected and the level of throttle input.
The tri-projector LED headlights with BladeScan tech are very effective and delivers more precise illumination, being accurate to within 0.7 degrees and when left in its auto setting does all the hard work for you without blinding oncoming road users. The subtly sportier exterior differentiates from the standard RX 350h with unique bumpers, a mesh grille, more aggressive air intakes, combined with contrasting black accents, and additional body trim.
The Lexus RX 500h’s range of driver assistance systems from the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite are great; even perhaps too overachieving at times so thankfully you can configure the systems to suite your personal driving behavior and needs.
Once again Lexus has produced yet another astounding and very desirable model range haloed by this remarkable RX 500h F Sport variant continuing the core tradition of its very successful predecessors with its even more comfortable ride, quieter cabin, more standard equipment, and more spacious accommodations while adding shots of adrenaline whenever required with style and class.