The Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance has always been a curious enigma in the RX lineup. This spicy version of the RX promised to give buyers improved performance and give the RX a true halo offering. However, it was held back by some of its odd equipment choices and a high price tag which magnified its shortcomings in this particular area.
Lexus is making some minor updates for 2025 but can the 2024 model continue to hold down the fort until these updates come into dealer showrooms?
Core RX styling stays intact, Black Line is coming
Our tester was a late 2024 model and while this means the core styling here is unchanged for the most part it also provides a clear path for the Black Line Edition which will be coming as part of the 2025 updates the brand gave to the RX. Black Line versions follow the trend that we have seen on other applications over the years and will be largely a styling package for design-focused buyers.
Our tester didn’t have the package but even without the Black Line treatment, standard 500h models are still the sportiest version of the RX that you can buy with our tester still having a bold personality. While the front grille is still a hit-or-miss affair in the eyes of observers at least the side profile and the rear of the SUV continue to be highlights which is a welcome departure form the dtated look that used to define older iterations of the RX.
RX interior largely unchanged
The interior of the Lexus RX is largely carried over for 2025 and 2024 models such as our example provides a glimpse into just how familiar the space is. All RX models are two-row offerings (the TX is the model to choose if you need a third-row) with the look being crisp and modern with high-quality trim and finishings being used throughout. Our tester arrived with aluminum-covered pedals, black trim, and heavily bolstered front seat to help provide more support to the driver when navigating twistier sections of road.
A 9.8-inch infotainment screen is standard but for a flagship model, we find it interesting that Lexus is still making the bigger 14.0-inch screen an optional piece of equipment. Many of its rivals make a bigger screen standard as part of the upgrade to a range-topping model and it’s certainly interesting to see that the brand is still making the bigger screen optional on the range-topping model. At least the software continues to work well for the most part with the exception of it timing out the wireless connection of our Android-equipped smartphone when listening to music (a recurring gremlin we have seen on other Toyota products.)
Speaking of Android, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay continue to be offered standard but the quirky options list rears its head once again with the heads-up display, Mark Levinson premium audio system, and navigation all continuing to be optional. Keep in mind, the 500h is supposed to be the “fully loaded” range-topping version of the RX.
Softly sprung interior continues to be the fly in the driving ointment
Performance for 500hs like our tester comes from a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that’s mated to two electric motors to produce a combined system output of 366 horsepower. The engine does the accelerating part well with our tester only needing 5.5 seconds to make the sprint to 60 mph. The 500h makes good use of the Lexus Direct4 System which helps optimize power delivery to all four wheels for smooth launches. The four-cylinder sometimes gets a bit thrashy when placed in higher RPMs but the strong punchy nature of the engine makes it a minor annoyance.
A more prominent one is the softly sprung suspension which continues to feel like it was designed in a completely different part of the engineering building. A sporty model would typically have a firmer suspension for sharper cornering, but here in the RX comfort takes priority over poise and it shows when you throw the CUV into corners with the body leaning and wallowing too much to inspire any form of confidence from a skilled driver. The 500h prefers to be a cruiser and its squealing tires will remind you of its fickle cornering limits if you push it too hard.
The beefier performance does make a dent in the RX’s fuel economy but an EPA-rated 27/28/27 mpg in city/freeway/combined driving is nothing to sneeze at for a sporty vehicle and should still be enough for most drivers who take the 500h out on the daily commute when they are not spending weekends on leisurely jaunts through the country.
Value Quotient
Lexus also made light updates to the RX’s pricing ladder for 2025 and with the 2025 pricing in place, a 500h F-Sport Performance now starts at $66,150 before fees and extras. Our tester naturally arrived with a small sprinkling of extras including the bigger navigation system which caused our tester to have an as-tested price of just over $70,000. That’s very expensive for some of the hurdles that you still have to go through when navigating the options list and the RX is also pricier than some of its rivals.
The only 500h variant that’s more expensive is the Black Line Edition with these models starting at over $68,000. The odd pricing situation makes the RX 500h F-Sport Performance a hard buying choice in the market. We wish that Lexus would have given buyers more standard equipment to make the 500h feel like a better upgrade than it currently is instead of burying items in the options list. This weird situation also makes lower models like the RX 450h+ and even the 350h a better value since those models can be equipped with some of the aforementioned options but end up costing less. Hopefully, Lexus will eventually fix some of the 500h’s woes (along with the soft suspension since the strong powertrain continues to be a strong purchase point.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.