Road Test: 2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport

Charlevoix, Quebec—a land of rolling hills, jaw-dropping vistas, and roads that twist like a bowl of fresh spaghetti. The perfect playground for Lexus’ most sporty, hybrid-powered RX yet: the 2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport.

But let’s be real—”RX” and “sporty” haven’t exactly been best friends in the past. Lexus’ best-selling luxury SUV has long been the suburban king of comfort, the VIP lounge on wheels, the valet darling of upscale shopping centres. So, has Lexus finally turned the RX into something that belongs on the road less travelled—or is it still happier at the mall? Time to find out.

Powertrain: Lexus is done with the sleepy V6. Instead, the RX 500h F Sport Performance is powered by a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder, teamed up with two electric motors, good for 367 hp and 406 pound-feet of torque. That’s a big leap over the RX 350, and the Direct4 all-wheel-drive system actually sends meaningful power to the rear wheels instead of just pretending to.

Floor it, and the RX 500h moves with more urgency than any RX before it, making easy work of passing lumbering RVs on Route 138. Lexus claims a 0-100 km/h time of 6.1 seconds, and while that won’t blow the doors off a BMW X5 M60i, it’s brisk for a hybrid luxury SUV.

However, there’s one hiccup: the 6-speed automatic transmission. While it avoids the CVT drone Lexus hybrids are known for, it’s not the quickest shifter. Sometimes it feels like it’s stopping to ask for directions before committing to a gear change.

Fuel economy is respectable at 8.4 L/100 km combined, but real-world numbers in Charlevoix’s hilly terrain hover closer to 9.5 L/100 km. Still, that’s better than a gas-only rival like the Acura MDX Type S.

Exterior: Lexus took a look at the old RX and said, “More angles! More aggression!” The result? A crossover that looks like it spent the offseason doing CrossFit. The massive spindle grille still dominates the front end, now with dark F Sport mesh that makes it look a little meaner.

The triple-beam LED headlights carve through the Quebec fog beautifully, and the black 21-inch wheels scream performance—even if they’ll spend half the year wearing winter rubber.

From the back, the light bar stretches across the entire width, and while that’s becoming an overused design trick, it works here. The RX 500h definitely looks the part of a performance SUV—whether it delivers is another story.

Interior: Inside, Lexus gets a lot of things right. The racy leather and aluminum trim give it a proper F Sport feel, and the sport seats are firm but comfortable—a welcome upgrade over the cushy chairs in lesser RX models.

The steering wheel feels great in your hands, and paddle shifters let you pretend this is a sports car (even though the transmission is still on its own schedule). The digital gauge cluster is crisp, and the head-up display is bright enough to actually be useful, even in direct sunlight.

Cargo space is plentiful, with 838L behind the rear seats and 1,593L with the seats folded. Good enough for a Costco haul or some serious road trip gear.

There are few misses, however. The haptic touch buttons on the steering wheel can cause a few issues. Want to adjust the volume? Whoops, now you’re changing the radio station. And why is there no rear wiper, especially here in Quebec where slush is as much a part of the culture as poutine with gravy.

Infotainment: Standard in the RX 500h, the 14-inch touchscreen dominates the dashboard, and thankfully, the awful old trackpad is gone. Lexus’ new system is quick, intuitive, and works well with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Mark Levinson 21-speaker audio system, part of the F Sport package, is phenomenal—crank it up, and your playlist suddenly sounds like a live concert in your living room.

But why, Lexus, is there no tuning knob? You still have to scroll through stations like you’re spinning the Wheel of Fortune.

Drivability: Let’s be clear: this is the most dynamic RX ever made. It’s composed, responsive, and actually fun in Sport+ mode. The adaptive dampers firm up nicely, and body roll is well controlled.

But does it feel like a true performance SUV? Not quite. The steering is precise but lacks feedback, and while it’s significantly better than past RX models, it’s still more of a quick luxury cruiser than a canyon carver.

The regen braking system is much improved—no more awkward hybrid braking feel—but it still takes some getting used to.

Conclusion: The 2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport is a big step forward. It’s quicker, sharper, and more engaging than ever before. But is it truly a performance SUV? Not quite. Buy it if you want a fast, fuel-efficient, and comfortable luxury SUV with Lexus reliability. It’s the best RX ever made—just don’t expect it to be a track monster.

2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport
Price as tested: $91,425.00
Freight: $2,205.00
Configuration: Front engine/All-wheel drive
Engine/transmission: 2.4-litre turbocharged inline 4/ 6-speed automatic
Power/torque: 367 horsepower/ 406 lb-ft of torque
Fuel (capacity): Premium (65 L)
Combined fuel economy ratings (L/100 km): 8.6 L/100 km (est)
Warranties: 4-years/80,000 km (basic)
Competitors: Acura MDX Type S, BMW X5 xDrive40i, Genesis GV80 3.5T, Porsche Macan S
Website: Lexus Canada