Overview
While other compact luxury crossovers take a sporty approach, the 2024 Lexus RX goes for a soft-riding, relaxed demeanor. Even the RX500h F Sport Performance is neither sporty nor performant. Don’t get us wrong, it gets up and goes pretty well, running to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds at our test track, but it fails to inspire spirited driving in the same way rivals such as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and the Porsche Macan do. If you’re okay with that, the RX delivers a creamy ride, an upscale cabin, and a luxury presence—which are all traits it has been offering for several generations. The cabin is spacious for both people and cargo, but if you’re looking for a third row of seats, you’ll need to look to the new TX SUV, which replaces the stretched RX-L in the Lexus lineup.
Where This Vehicle Ranks
What’s New for 2024?
A plug-in RX450h+ model joins the RX lineup for 2024, complete with a battery large enough for up to 35 miles of electric-only driving. The RX450h+ is offered only in loaded Luxury trim and serves as the range-topping model with a price of more than $70,000. The plug-in-hybrid powertrain is borrowed from the smaller NX450h+ and uses a four-cylinder engine and three electric motors to make 304 horsepower; all-wheel drive is standard. The RX carries over to 2024 with no other significant changes.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
While it’s hardly as sporty as it looks, the RX500h F Sport Performance is at least the most exciting variant of the RX SUV—too bad it’s so expensive. While driving enthusiasts like us would find nothing but the highest-powered model suitable, we think more casual drivers will be happy with the less powerful and even more relaxed RX350 Premium Plus. It’s a midrange model with added luxuries such as the larger 14.0-inch infotainment screen, leather upholstery, an ambient interior lighting system, and more.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 2024 RX is offered with no fewer than four different powertrains, starting with the base RX350 model, which is powered by a 275-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. That model comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive as standard, but all-wheel drive is an option. The hybrid RX350h pairs electric motors with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine to make 246 horsepower and comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. On our first test drive, neither of these powertrains delivered notable performance, and we estimate both will deliver slightly slower acceleration than their 2022 analogues. Stepping up to the RX500h F Sport Performance unlocks a punchier powertrain. It combines the turbocharged 2.4-liter and electric power to make 367 horsepower and utilizes Lexus’s Direct4 system to route that power to all four wheels. With the RX500h model, Lexus had an opportunity to recast the new RX as a performer, but its chassis engineers regrettably chose not to dial in any additional cornering confidence. At our test track, the RX500h F Sport Performance hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. A plug-in-hybrid model, the RX450h+, features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, three electric motors, and standard all-wheel drive. This is the same powertrain that’s offered in the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Lexus NX450h+ SUVs, but it makes two extra horsepower in this application, bringing the total to 304 ponies. All models we’ve driven so far are just as softly sprung and focused on luxury as the outgoing generation of RX, which will please faithful buyers but is unlikely to attract any driving enthusiasts.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The RX450h+ carries an 18.1-kWh battery pack, which can be charged up in a little over two hours on a 240-volt connection. This battery is said to offer up to 35 miles of electric driving range per charge.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA’s data shows that the most efficient RX model is the RX350h, which carries claimed ratings of 37 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. The RX500h is said to be good for 27 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, while the nonhybrid RX350 earned ratings of 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway for front-wheel-drive models. The RX450h+ is said to be good for 83 MPGe combined. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, the RX500h F Sport Performance returned 28 mpg, matching its EPA estimate. For more information about the RX’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The RX is offered exclusively as a two-row, five-seat SUV, which makes room above it for the new three-row TX. The RX’s interior design is more modern than the last-generation model, with textured fabric sections on the upper door panels, rich-looking ambient lighting, and open-pore wood trim on RX350 models. The RX500h F Sport Performance features more heavily bolstered front seats, black interior trim, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and aluminum pedals. Cargo space is generous behind the second-row seats, so there’s plenty of space for a big load of groceries or several suitcases when road-tripping.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen is parked smack in the middle of the RX’s redesigned dashboard; a larger 14.0-inch screen is optional. Like the smaller NX SUV, the RX’s infotainment display is angled slightly toward the driver and uses Lexus’s latest software interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are standard, but features such as navigation, a head-up display, and a Mark Levinson stereo system are optional.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Lexus offers many standard driver-assistance features on its new cars and SUVs, and the 2023 RX is no different. The RX’s automated emergency braking system can detect pedestrians as well as motorcyclists, and all models also come with adaptive cruise control with lane centering. For more information about the RX’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Lexus’s limited warranty matches most of its rivals in this segment, and its powertrain warranty surpasses many. Hybrid components get longer coverage; however, complimentary scheduled maintenance lasts only one year, whereas the BMW X3 and the Volvo XC60 both offer lengthier terms.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
- Hybrid components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for one year or 10,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $64,145/$75,065
Options: Mark Levinson stereo, $2265; premium triple-beam LED headlights, $1565; 360-degree camera system, $800; running boards, $725; heated and ventilated outboard rear seats, $680; cargo tray, mudguard, and door edge protective film, $640; Traffic Jam Assist, $620; Copper Crest paint, $595; 120-volt inverter, $550; power rear seats, $550; panoramic moonroof, $500; illuminated cargo sills, $300; digital key, $275; Advanced Park; $250; digital rearview mirror, $200; puddle lamps, $175; power liftgate with kick sensor, $150; Cold Area package, $100; rear bumper applique, $90; 21-inch wheel credit, -$110
POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter inline-4, 271 hp, 339 lb-ft + 2 AC motors, (combined output: 366 hp, 406 lb-ft; nickel-metal hydride battery pack)
Transmissions, F/R: 6-speed automatic/direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 15.7-in vented disc/13.4-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S
235/50R-21 101V M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 192.5 in
Width: 75.6 in
Height: 67.3 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 52/45 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 46/30 ft3
Curb Weight: 4793 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.5 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.2 sec @ 97 mph
100 mph: 15.0 sec
120 mph: 23.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.0 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.7 sec
Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 130 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 195 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.80 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 23 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 28 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 480 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 27/27/28 mpg
