2023 Lexus RX 500h SUV

　　

2023 Lexus RX 500h Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　Recent versions of the Lexus RX midsize SUV have had three primary attributes to potentially win over shoppers: distinctive styling, a lower-than-average price tag among its peers, and the perceived reliability of its parent company. But the RX has also been rather blasé to drive. That changes with the redesigned 2023 Lexus RX, which is available in a new RX 500h F Sport Performance flavor.

　　The RX 500h F Sport Performance uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and a hybrid system to produce respectably quick acceleration. All-wheel drive is standard, and Lexus says it's optimized to enhance traction on dry roads as well as in snowy or icy conditions. More secure handling and upgraded brakes specific to the RX 500h F Sport Performance should also contribute to the RX 500h's increased athleticism.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Lexus RX 500h F SPORT Performance 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$172/mo  for RX 500h F SPORT Performance

　　RX 500h F SPORT Performance

　　F SPORT Performance 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) (Most Popular) - $61,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　The new fifth-generation 2023 RX is the same size as before, but Lexus says it offers more rear legroom and cargo space inside. Lexus also reworked the tech, and the new RX features a fully digital dashboard combined with a choice of a 9.8-inch or a 14-inch horizontally oriented touchscreen display. Everywhere you look it's a step forward from the previous model, and the interior of the RX looks both more youthful and luxurious.

　　Bold styling, updated infotainment and driver assist features, and modern interior design and materials help the new RX keep pace with its European luxury rivals. And if you're looking for both a sporty and luxurious SUV, the RX 500h F Sport Performance is the model to consider.

　　

Which RX 500h does zzdcar recommend?

The new Lexus RX 500h comes only in F Sport Performance trim. It is well equipped, but you can option it with many extras. We would add the 14-inch Lexus Interface infotainment system, Mark Levinson premium audio system and surround-view camera.

　　

Lexus RX 500h models

The 2023 Lexus RX 500h has a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (366 horsepower, 406 lb-ft torque), a six-speed automatic transmission, and a dual-motor hybrid system with a Lexus Direct4 all-wheel-drive system.

　　Additionally, this model has a sport-tuned adaptive suspension, upgraded brakes, and a dynamic rear-wheel steering system that turns the rear wheels to a small degree to improve low-speed maneuverability or high-speed stability and handling. A simulated engine and exhaust sound aims to enhance the driving experience.

　　The RX 500h is available only in F Sport Performance trim, as detailed below:

　　F Sport Performance

　　Every Lexus RX 500h includes appearance upgrades for an appropriately sporty look:

　　21-inch matte black alloy wheels Unique F Sport front and rear styling Dark chrome exterior trim Black exterior mirror caps Color-keyed F Sport body kit Aluminum interior trim Synthetic suede interior door trim Sport-design steering wheel Front sport seatsIn addition, standard equipment includes:

　　LED headlights, foglights and taillights Rain-sensing windshield wipers Heated exterior mirrors with auto-dimming glass on the driver's side Power liftgate Proximity-sensing keyless entry Digital Latch electronic door latches Ambient interior lighting Triple-zone automatic climate control Power sunroof Power-adjustable, heated steering wheel Eight-way power-adjustable, heated front seats Perforated leather upholstery Heated and ventilated front seats Memory for the driver's settings Folding and reclining 40/20/40-split back seats 10-inch color head-up displayA next-generation Lexus Interface infotainment system is standard. It includes:

　　9.8-inch touchscreen Satellite radio Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connected service plans including: Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and natural voice recognition systems Wi-Fi Connect with access to a Wi-Fi hotspot Remote Connect with remote engine start Safety Connect with collision notification and assistance Service Connect with remote vehicle health checks Wireless smartphone charger 12-speaker sound systemLexus also equips the 2023 RX with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. This collection of driver assist and collision avoidance systems includes:

　　Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front and can also reduce speed for curves in the road) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Automatic high-beam headlightsAdditional standard driver assist features include:

　　Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Rear passenger safe-exit system (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind) Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)The RX 500h F Sport Performance is well equipped, but you can option the SUV with:

　　Upgraded LED headlights Hands-free liftgate Panoramic sunroof Digital key (turns your smartphone into the vehicle's key) Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area) Heated and ventilated rear seats Lexus Interface with a 14-inch touchscreen display 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the RX and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Traffic Jam Assist (hands-free, semi-automated driving system for low-speed traffic situations)

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