2024 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance Review

This week I bring you the 2024 Lexus RX but with a new twist:  This is the RX 500h F Sport Performance.  New for 2024, this is the most powerful RX yet.

Exterior 

I love the exterior appearance, but there is a lot going on.  Sculpted sides, 21” wheels, a rear spoiler, a raised hood, and of course the Lexus spindle grill, which was toned down for 2023.  I love the Copper Crest color, it is unusual but works.

 

 

 

Powertrain

Under the hood, is a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid engine, hooked to a 6-speed automatic.  Together, along with help from an 80-kilowatt hour battery attached to the rear axle pushes this SUV to 366-horses and over 400-pound feet of torque.

Bear in mind, the hybrid system in this version of the RX is built more for performance than fuel economy, a new trend I’ve seen from Toyota the past few years in other models.

Interior

The interior is luxurious as you would expect in a Lexus.   There are soft-touch materials everywhere and no plastic anywhere I can find.

The seats are stitched and heavily bolstered, and they are heated and cooled.  The bolstering cuts down on the seat width so keep that in mind if you are full bodied.

In front of the driver is a colorful digital gauge cluster that has a large speedometer and your other gauges.  It also shows you which gear the RX is currently in, a meter for the hybrid power, time and temperature plus distance to empty.

 

 

The infotainment screen is a large 14” display that is colorful and very easy to operate. It moves lightning fast.  From the screen, you operate the nav system, the Mark Levinson Sound System, Bluetooth, Wi-FI, and the car settings including changing the drive modes and hybrid energy flow. 

This screen also houses a fantastic 360-degree rear view camera with extreme clarity.  You get Voice recognition, and wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto as well.

The center console has your gear shifter, auto hold button, and two roomy cupholders, one that you can move up and down.  There is wireless cell phone charging and USB and USB-C ports.

The back seat is very roomy and passengers there can operate their own climate control, have A/C vents, USB ports, and a fold down armrest with cupholders.  The back seat is heated and cooled and they recline.

Cargo area is generous with 29.6 cubic feet behind the 2^nd row and has a sliding cover to hide valuables. There is a compact spare neatly tucked underneath.  Also in the rear is a handy power inverter to plug-in whatever you wish and switches to fold down the 2^nd row seating.

Standard Features

The RX 500 F Sport comes well equipped with a panoramic moon roof, a terrific head-up display, push button start, keyless entry, hands-free power liftgate, power seats, aluminum pedals, rear view camera mirror, and a lot more.  It also has electronic opening doors, which frankly I could do without.

Speaking of the head-up display:  It is super interactive.  Two keypads on the steering wheel operate all sorts of vehicle settings.  Be warned, there is a steep learning curve to operate the display, but it will ultimately be useful.

Safety

Safety-wise, you get adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, traction control, stability control, parking assist, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Ride and Drive

This all-wheel drive 4700-pound SUV handles great and is uber quiet inside.   Acceleration feels like a V8 and they even pipe some exhaust sound through the speakers for effect.

Fuel Economy and MSRP

Fuel economy is 27 city and 28 highway for a combined 27, and MSRP is $72,135 which is steep for an RX, but this one is like no other.

Verdict 

If performance and acceleration are not your first priority, choose one of the other RX models.  If it is, the 500h F Sport Performance will not disappoint.