If you’re searching for a luxury SUV that instantly grabs attention, feels premium, and delivers strong performance, the Lexus RX 500h F Sport+ should definitely be on your radar. We drove this SUV for nearly 1,000 km across city roads, highways, and even Tier II and Tier III towns — and honestly, people constantly turned around to check which car it was.
The RX 500h F Sport+ is the performance-focused variant of the RX lineup, bringing a sportier, more engaging personality compared to the more efficient RX 350h.
So, does this SUV have what it takes to challenge established German rivals like BMW, Audi and Mercedes? Here’s a complete, human-style review based on our long drive experience.
What’s Good About the Lexus RX 500h F Sport+
1. Design: A Proper Head-Turner
The RX 500h’s design is sharp, sporty, and attention-grabbing.
Highlights:
- Sleek LED DRLs and LED projector headlights
- Halogen indicators — a small miss at this price point
- Massive front grille with a bold F Sport identity
- 22-inch matte black alloy wheels that elevate the road presence
- Clean rear design with connected LED tail lamps
- Hidden rear wiper under the spoiler for a seamless look
Boot space is excellent, and we were easily able to load all our luggage for the 1,000 km road trip.
2. Performance: Punchy, Smooth & Instant
The RX 500h comes equipped with:
- 2.4L turbo-petrol engine
- 6-speed e-CVT
- Strong hybrid setup with dual electric motors
Total output: 366 bhp & 460 Nm
The numbers speak for themselves.
In the city, EV mode kicks in frequently, making the drive extremely smooth.
But the moment you press the accelerator hard, the hybrid system unleashes instant torque — giving a proper push-back-into-the-seat feeling.
Drive Modes:
- Eco – Perfect for daily city driving
- Normal – Balanced output
- Sport – Maximum performance and aggressive acceleration
Just one drawback: Sport Mode consumes fuel quickly.
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3. Comfort & Ride Quality
Comfort has always been a Lexus strong point, and the RX 500h continues that tradition.
Seats & Cabin:
- Front seats are extremely supportive
- Rear seats get electric recline, making long journeys peaceful
- Excellent knee, leg and shoulder room
- Rear AC vents + Type-C charging ports
- Cabin insulation is very good, except over flyover expansion joints
Ride & Handling:
- Suspension is slightly stiffer than the RX 350h
- Small bumps do filter into the cabin
- But on highways, stability is fantastic
- Minimal body roll, quick lane changes feel confident
Steering has two modes — Comfort & Sport.
We mostly kept it in Sport because the added weight feels more engaging.
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4. Features: Loaded With Premium Tech
The RX 500h gets almost every feature you expect at this price point.
Key Features:
- 14-inch touchscreen infotainment
- Clear Head-Up Display
- Ventilated front seats
- 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system – outstanding clarity
- High-quality 360° camera (good visibility even at night)
- Subtle ambient lighting
- Sporty digital instrument cluster
Overall, the feature list is impressive and feels very premium.
What’s Not So Good
1. Fuel Efficiency
Unlike typical Lexus hybrids, the RX 500h prioritizes performance more than fuel savings.
We achieved 10.5 km/l during our entire drive.
Hard driving pushes the mileage into single digits.
If fuel efficiency is your priority, the RX 350h is the better pick.
2. Low Approach & Departure Angle
Due to the lower bumper extensions:
- Steep parking ramps can cause scraping
- You have to be careful while climbing or descending inclines
- Not ideal for uneven surfaces
For a luxury SUV, this could have been better.
Lexus RX 500h F Sport+ Price in India
Base RX price: ₹89.90 lakh (ex-showroom)
RX 500h F Sport+ price: ₹1.09 crore (ex-showroom)
(includes the Mark Levinson audio system)
Pros
- Stunning road presence
- Strong hybrid + turbo punch
- Excellent high-speed stability
- Comfortable seating and premium cabin
- 22-inch sporty alloy wheels
- Outstanding Mark Levinson sound system
- Smooth EV mode in city
Cons
- Not fuel-efficient like typical Lexus hybrids
- Stiff ride at low speeds
- Approach/departure angles limit practicality
- Ambient lighting could be brighter
Expert Opinion
If you want a unique, reliable, performance-oriented luxury SUV, the Lexus RX 500h F Sport+ is genuinely worth considering.
It’s perfect for buyers who:
- Prefer Japanese reliability and hybrid engineering
- Want something different from common German SUVs
- Love punchy performance with comfort
- Want an SUV with solid build and premium brand value
Just be prepared for slightly lower fuel economy.
Conclusion
The Lexus RX 500h F Sport+ is an underrated performance luxury SUV that delivers style, power and comfort in a package that feels exclusive and different from the usual German crowd.
If you want:
- A striking design
- Strong hybrid performance
- A refined and comfortable interior
- Lexus reliability
…the RX 500h is absolutely worth it.
Mileage and interior ambience could be better, but overall, it’s a solid, exciting and attention-grabbing luxury SUV at its price.
Frequently Ak Questions
Q1. Is the Lexus RX 500h F Sport+ fuel-efficient?
A. Not very. Expect around 10–11 km/l in mixed driving.
Q2. Should I choose the RX 500h over the RX 350h?
A. Choose RX 500h for performance.
Choose RX 350h for fuel efficiency and a softer ride.
Q3. Is it suitable for rough roads?
A. Normal bad roads are fine, but steep ramps can cause bumper scraping.
Q4. Does it feel sporty to drive?
A. Yes. Sport Mode delivers instant acceleration and tight handling.
Q5. Is it better than German SUVs?
A. If you want reliability + uniqueness + hybrid performance → YES
If you want brand value + rich interiors → Germans win.