Lexus RX 500H F Sport

A hybrid luxury SUV, a range-topper to the fifth-generation RX line-up, the 2023 Lexus RX 500h F Sport, launched in Malaysia.

Underpinned is the TNGA-K platform, an enhanced GA-K type of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), and a new hybrid drive system (Direct4 Technology).

Fully-imported (CBU), the sole variant (RX 500h F Sport) hailing from Japan is priced at MYR 498,888 (on-the-road, without insurance).

Included is a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, and an eight-year, unlimited mileage hybrid battery warranty (extendable - two years - cost-added option).

Four exterior colours. White Nova Glass, Sonic Iridium, Graphite Black Glass Flake and Sonic Copper.

The RX 500h F Sport has a premium quality and very driver-oriented dashboard, which adopts the Tazuna Concept (linkage - jockey and horse). 

As such, all the controls are of easy reachability for the driver, and most of the accessibilities are based on a touch-focused system. 

Black-themed, the outlook is accentuated by suede upholstery with Kageri (dark, shadowy) L-pattern embossing, Dark Spin Aluminium (F Sport - exclusive) ornamentation and a 64-colour ambient lighting.

Overall, the form of the streamline dash (wrapped-around, two-tiered) flows from the metre top to the door trim, creating the sense of being embraced when being inside the cockpit.

Installed is a high-definition digital combination metre with a Multi-Information Display (MID). Configurations are made via the steering wheel touch-switches.

Said setup supports different types of displays (Normal, Eco, Sport) with each one prioritising information relevant to the mode. 

Also, paired to it is a fighter aircraft-style colour Heads-Up Display (HUD). Projected onto the windscreen, it features three modes (full, standard, minimum). 

The five-seater comes with seats upholstered in full black leather, featuring suede with Kageri (dark, shadowy) L-pattern embossing.

Fitted up front are F Sport Seats (semi-bucket), featuring an eight-way power adjustment with two-way lumbar support, memory, heating/cooling ventilation, and driver side power-easy-access (steering stow-away, seat slide/lift) functions.

Whereas, the rear gets a bench seat with a 40:20:40 split-fold power adjustment, and heating/cooling ventilation functions. The power recline has switches located on the sides of the rear seats with extras available in the boot.

Installed is a three-spoke F Sport steering wheel, wrapped in black dimpled leather with silver trimmings. 

It gets multi-switches (touch-type), column power adjustments with memory (tilt, telescopic), pedal shifters, and an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

There are four cup holders, two located in the front centre console, while the other two are in the rear. Also, there are four bottle holders, located at each side door pocket.

Equipped is a wireless charger, five USB-C and one USB-A ports, and two 12-V sockets, strategically located around the interior.

Accessing its powered-tailgate (hands-free, kick-to-open), opens up to 612-Litres of boot space, and up to 1,678-Litres with the seats folded.

Weighing in at 2,160 KG, the RX 500h F Sport stands at 4,890 MM long, 1,920 MM wide, 1,695 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,850 MM.

Angularly-chiselled with wide front and rear tracks, its exterior exudes the demeanour of a high-riding sedan rather than an SUV.

Aerodynamic, the front-end with a raised hood has a very sharp and crisp outlook, featuring Lexus’ newly-designed ‘Spindle Body’ grille (gloss black).

The criss-crossed mesh (F Sport - exclusive) grille forms a one-piece look, which the outer edges where the framing would be, merges seamlessly with the bumper.

Accentuating the layout are a set of large corner air-vents (grille-matching - criss-cross mesh), paired to a black-coloured minimalistic and sporty front lip.

Sportily-sculpted, the rear-end has a sharp and smoothly-formed design, boasting a coupe-esque roofline. 

Adorned by a simple roof-edge spoiler, its rakish rear window is matched to a pointed tailgate, of which underscores the Lexus script in the middle.

Completing the outlook, the bumper is fitted with a set of slit-like side vertical air-vents and large bottom corner air-vents (grille-matching - criss-cross mesh).

Fiercely-framed, the headlamps are angular-looking, projecting a very sharp, ultra-slim and focused design.

Installed are BladeScan Matrix triple-beam LED units with L-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), Adaptive High-beam System (AHS), LED cornering lamps, and an auto-levelling (dynamic) function.

Pronouncedly-housed, the tail lamps are in a full-width light bar design, stretching from left to right across the middle of the tailgate. Fitted are BladeScan Matrix LED units.

The side mirrors are electronically adjusted and folded with turn-indicators, heater, memory, reverse-linked and electrochromic functions.

Fitted are ventilated disc brakes, with six-piston aluminium monobloc callipers (front) and single-piston floating callipers (rear). Aiding the setup is an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Brake Auto Hold system. 

Latching it down is a set of 21-Inch F Sport matte black-finished light-alloy rims, rubbered-up in 235/50 R21 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.

Installed as the infotainment system and control centre (vehicle operations), is an ‘Intelligent Cockpit’ setup, featuring a full HD 14-Inch Electro Multi Vision (EMV) central touchscreen display. 

The system supports Lexus’ Dynamic Voice Recognition System, Bluetooth, navigation, USB-A, Active Sound Control (drive mode sounds), and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (Wired/wireless).

Equipped is the Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System, featuring 21 speakers and a subwoofer.

Hybridised, the RX 500h F Sport fuses a petrol engine with two electric motors (front-rear, axle-mounted). Total system output reads at 366 HP and 550 NM of torque.

The petrol setup ((T24A-FTS) 2.4-Litre four-cylinder, 16-valve turbocharged dual VVT-i engine) makes 271 HP at 6,000 RPM and 460 NM of torque at 2,000 to 3,000 RPM.

The electric motors ((PMSM) Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) make 86 HP and 292 NM of torque (front), and 102 HP and 169 NM of torque (rear - eAxle).

Mated to the powertrain setup is a six-speed automatic transmission (shift-by-wire).

There are rear air-conditioning vents with a set of dedicated controls.

The 2023 Lexus RX 500h F Sport is built with a sophisticatedly sporty appeal, while still being able to offer space and practicality.

Its aggressively-sculpted exterior is very well designed, with the seamless lines donating a powerful overall contour, emphasising its low-slung silhouette. 

Japan-made, the quality of the equipment and materials installed inside, is also impressive with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing.

All in all, it bargains more than just good looks, as it also provides an absolute driving pleasure with its highly performing driving dynamics.