Lexus RX500h performance hybrid tested

This performance SUV promises to take Lexus into new territory, gunning for the best Audi, BMW and Benz have to offer.

Lexus pushed into new territory with its new prestige SUV.

Having sold comfortable and refined crossovers wearing the RX badge for 20 years, Lexus Australia uses words like “exhilarating”, “powerful” and “intense” to describe a new model at the top of the range. Does the Lexus RX500h deliver?

The new-look Lexus RX has a range of models.

Value

The latest Lexus RX arrived in Australia last year priced from about $100,500 drive-away.

You’ll need another $40,000 or so to get hold of the range-topping RX500h priced from about$140,000 drive-away.

That’s a lot of coin.

Lexus justifies the ask with a turbocharged, hybrid engine backed by performance gear you won’t find on cheaper models.

The Lexus RX500h is pitched toward car enthusiasts.

It has 21-inch wheels with sporty Michelin tyres, along with adaptive suspension, four-wheel steering, torque vectoring all-wheel-drive and upgraded brakes.

Better still, there are no optional “enhancement packs” for the top model – it’s loaded with gear such as a panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate and Mark Levinson hi-fi.

A five-year warranty is par for the course.

Comfort

This should be a comfortable car, with three-zone climate control, heated and cooled seats, a spacious cabin and outstanding noise suppression.

It has all the ingredients necessary to be a wonderful highway cruiser, including a chilled centre console that keeps snacks fresh.

The RX500h has a lovely cabin, though its seats feel small.

But the reality fell short of our expectations, largely because of front seats that felt too narrow and thinly padded. They’re a long way short of Lexus’ best effort.

It scored points with a revised interior that ditches an awkward touchpad in favour of a massive touchscreen upfront.

Then again, we didn’t like multi-function touch-sensitive elements on the steering wheel that require you to look at the dash or head-up display to check that your intention matches your input.

21-inch wheels are part of the deal.

Safety

The RX earned a five-star ANCAP rating in 2023, helped by an armada of driver aids and eight airbags, including driver knee and front centre airbags that should not be taken for granted.

We got along well with its support systems, save for an overly cautious driver attention monitoring system that didn’t work well when the driver wore sunglasses.

Initially frustrated by active cruise control that automatically slowed down for gentle bends on country roads, we were happy to find that you can switch to conventional cruise that will adhere to a set speed.

The new turbo hybrid motor has plenty of go.

Driving

The RX500h combines the 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo engine of the standard model with a hybrid system that increases peak outputs to 273kW and 551Nm. Factor in a six-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel-drive and you can hit 100km/h in a claimed 5.9 seconds – that’s ok, but not amazing for a modern performance SUV.

It feels quick enough accelerating away from the lights, and ramps up the theatre with race car sounds from the speakers during full-throttle manoeuvres.

The Lexus is a cruiser, not a bruiser.

Lexus claims 6.5L/100km efficiency, but we saw closer to 8.5L/100km during 1000 kilometres of summer driving on the highway.

It’s a fine cruiser but doesn’t really deliver as a sporty SUV. The ride from 21-inch wheels is busier that it could be, and relatively narrow 235mm-wide rubber (BMW puts 275mm-wide tyres on the lighter X3) protests if you toss it into a turn.

Composed enough in regular driving, the Lexus doesn’t steer as sweetly as the best in class and isn’t a particularly willing partner for sporty driving.

All-wheel-drive lends impressive traction.

Alternatives

BMW X3 M40i, from about $137,000 drive-away

Less luxurious but better to drive, BMW’s contender has more power from a glorious inline six.

Audi SQ5 Sportback, from about $137,000 drive-away

Diesel six brings grunt and range. Audi’s sporty SUV drives well but the cabin is dated.

Porsche Macan EV, price TBC ($150,000 est)

Electric performance SUV is just around the corner, promising to shake up the prestige class.

Verdict

Lexus’ first crack at a performance SUV doesn’t really nail the brief. We’d be perfectly happy with a more comfortable (and cheaper) model from a lower rung in the range, or look elsewhere for driving thrills.

3 stars.

The Lexus RX500h is on sale now.

LEXUS RX500h

PRICE About $140,000 drive-away

ENGINE 2.4-litre 4-cyl turbo hybrid, 273kW and 551Nm

WARRANTY 5-yr/u’ltd km, $3475 for 5 yrs

SAFETY 8 airbags, auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic, radar cruise control

THIRST 6.5L/100km

CARGO 612 litres

SPARE Space saver