2023 Lexus RX500h F-Sport Review: Hybrid Performance SUV For The Long Haul

Japanese cars are known to be the most reliable cars in the world and are often credited for their excellent engineering. However, there is one brand that does so much more with every model they launch. Lexus is a premium brand with well-made, good-looking, and feature-rich cars that are efficient to run because of their renowned petrol-hybrid powertrain. 

We got our hands on the Lexus RX500h F-Sport Performance, which offers all the features of the Lexus we spoke about earlier. However, as a sporty version of the RX500h, the F-Sport also has some performance upgrades. In this car review, we’ll talk about the design, features, looks, safety and performance of the Lexus RX500h F-Sport. Let’s get started.

The 500h F-Sport Performance is the newest edition and the most powerful model in the Lexus RX model line-up. The SUV is powered by a hybrid powertrain and uses a combination of a 2.4L petrol engine, a Ni-MH battery and a pair of electric motors. The efficient powertrain is wrapped in a fastidiously built body and premium interiors.

The RX500h F-Sport Performance looks similar to the other RX model in the line-up. Some exclusive bits make the sportiest RX stand out. This includes:

Apart from the above exterior highlights, the 500h follows the same striking origami-inspired design as other Lexus cars. The front spindle grille has lost its shape and is not more subtle as compared to the older models. On the side, the floating and swooping roof-line effect adds a sporty character to the RX500h. Finally, the LED lightbar connecting sleek taillamps on either end looks premium and sporty along with a small spoiler placed on top of the rear windshield. Overall, the exterior looks of the RX have been a stand-out feature of the SUV, and the F-Sport Performance upgrades have taken it up a notch.

Dimension Check:

The F-Sport Performance interiors are decked in leather upholstery on seats, doors, dashboard and the centre console too. Customers can choose between two colours on the inside, the one we reviewed had the Dark Rose theme that looked beautiful and sporty because of the red and black combination. Another thing that our review car had was the optional 14-inch touchscreen infotainment. Most of the options including changing drive modes have been integrated into the screen. Although the screen is large, it could do with a bit more organization in the UI/UX department. The infotainment supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay making life behind the wheel easy and to top it off, it gets a premium Lexus audio system to enhance the ambience. 

The interiors of the Lexus RX500h F-Sport Performance have some exclusive design highlights to tell it apart from the standard RX models. This includes:

Other interior features include:

The F-Sport is no slouch, nor is it a pocket rocket. What it can do well are marathons and occasional sprints. That is because F-Sport continues to use the same engine as the RX350 – a 2.4-litre in-line-4 turbo-petrol engine. Lexus has given the powertrain more oomph by using two electric motors on each axle coupled to a 1.44kWh Ni-MH battery pack. This is a parallel-hybrid system where the engine and the electric both work together to deliver the best outcome when the driver hits the gas pedal.

The hybrid powertrain comes paired with a direct-shift 6-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels via Lexus’ DIRECT4 AWD system. Further to help the power, the SUV is also equipped with four-wheel steering and adaptive variable suspension. However, as is with all SUVs, the Lexus RX500h’s steering could do with some more feedback. The ride is comfortable as long as you do not switch to the sport mode, where the suspension stiffens up a little bit resulting in bumps and vibrations entering the cabin. Also, if you are feeling a bit adventurous, the SUV comes equipped with ‘Trail’ mode that uses brake locking differentials to get you out of a sticky situation over rough terrain. Overall, the RX500h F-Sport Performance might not have the oomph that you might be looking for, but it can do long hauls stress-free.

Finally, coming to the safety aspect of the RX500h, Lexus has equipped the SUV with the latest suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems including the Lexus Safety System +3. The F-Sport also features:

According to the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the Lexus RX500h F-Sport Performance has scored a 5-star safety rating in the crash test making it a safe cabin for children and adults. Find this and many other Lexus RX500h listed for sale in the UAE on DubiCars.