Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance AWD in copper crest.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since Lexus started the crossover trend with the introduction of its darling RX 300.
And what a brilliant concept that was. They took the best attributes of a large SUV, a cargo van and a compact luxury sedan and blended them in an auto mixer.
If the mix wasn’t tasty enough, they added all the signature Lexus ingredients, like impeccable build quality, best-in-class reliability, outstanding refinement, and rich leather and wood.
Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance AWD in copper crest.
No wonder, then, that the RX was an instant hit. And it’s still Lexus’ bestseller.
Now, a quarter of a century later, Lexus has just unwrapped an all-new fifth-gen RX. And it’s an eye-catcher.
Of course, it’s not as groundbreaking as the original. Today, almost every car manufacturer in the world has one or three crossover models based on passenger cars.
Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance AWD in copper crest.
But after a week behind the wheel of the all-new RX flagship, the RX500h F Sport Performance AWD, the allure of the mighty RX has never been greater for me.
Just look at that thing. The new design is more of a sports coupe than a sports car, with more sweeps and swoops than an etch-a-sketch five-year-old. See it in profile and the line of the roof that extends to the rear window is pure automotive art.
And thankfully, the previous RX’s just weird “spindle” grille has been somehow toned down. Yes, it’s still huge, but the gloss black mesh surface isn’t as narrow and is offset by larger underside side air intakes and a more dramatic hood.
Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance AWD, steering wheel, dashboard, 14 inch touch screen.
As if the new lines weren’t eye-catching enough, Lexus gave the RX one of the coolest new paint colors of all time. They call it Copper Crest and it’s just gorgeous. See it in bright sunlight and it glows like Vesuvius erupting.
Get in and there are more changes. With this F-Sport trim you get front bucket seats that could have come from a Porsche. There’s so much lateral support it feels like hugging Hulk Hogan.
The dashboard is dominated by a new 14-inch touchscreen that’s crystal clear and offers crisp graphics. That’s the good news. The less good thing is that Lexus has ditched many of the old buttons and buried their functions behind several layers of menus.
Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance AWD front seats.
It’s insane that even accessing the different driving modes requires the distraction of taking your eyes off the road and tapping the screen.
But a push of the start button, now located high up on the dashboard, brings to life one of the most intriguing features of this new 500h F-Sport: its hybrid powertrain.
It’s a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors powered by a nickel-hybrid battery pack. Together they deliver 366 horsepower and a whopping 406 pound-feet of torque.
Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance AWD rear seats.
In true hybrid fashion, the electric motors mask any lag from the turbocharger and give the RX plenty of momentum, accelerating from standstill to 60mph in a blistering 5.9 seconds.
Of course, 5.9 seconds is a bit disappointing in the age of all-electric SUVs, especially for a vehicle whose title includes “sport” and “performance”.
Nonetheless, the Lexus is a blast to drive, with plenty of strong mid-range boost for quick overtaking or merging onto the freeway. The six-speed automatic is a perfect partner to the engine, providing quick response with Teflon-smooth shifts.
Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance AWD in copper crest.
Speaking of sleek, Lexus hasn’t forgotten its core audience, who still prefer comfort and elegance to speed.
The steering, while precise, is a little too light, and if you push a little too hard in a corner, the 21-inch rubber will be overwhelmed in every turn by the 4,800 pounds it’s carrying.
But ignore the overly enthusiastic logo and consider this new RX 500h a great all-rounder with cool, stunning design, sporty character and lively performance. And with a price starting at $63,800, it’s an excellent value.
Happy twenty-fifth anniversary, RX. You still rock it
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