Lexus RX350h F Sport Design Review: Luxury, Comfort And Efficiency

Considered the first luxury crossover utility vehicle, the Lexus RX has been with us since 1998. Its now-familiar formula blended the best elements of luxury sedans with the practicality of sport utility vehicles, and it worked – big time. In fact, the RX went on to become the best-selling Lexus model in the U.S., which is a distinction the model holds to this day. What’s more, as of this writing, the fifth-generation Lexus RX is the most popular luxury vehicle in America – period. The example reviewed here, the 2025 Lexus RX350h F Sport Design, has a base price of $55,705. Its price as tested is $60,230.

Base Trim Engine

2.5L I4 Hybrid

Base Trim Transmission

CVT

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

183 HP @6000 RPM

Base Trim Torque

233 lb.-ft. @ 4300 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

37/34/36 MPG

Make

Lexus

Model

RX Hybrid

Segment

Midsize Luxury SUV

2025 Lexus RX350h F Sport Design AWD First Impressions

L-finesse, the contemporary design language of Lexus, is said to blend the aesthetic sensibilities of Japan with cutting-edge technology. According to the people at Lexus whose jobs entail informing us of these things, the focus of the L-finesse philosophy zeroes in on the concepts of seamless anticipation, incisive simplicity, and intriguing elegance. Manifestations of these elements are said to be found in details such as the spindle grille treatments, L-shaped lighting instruments, and interior environments that prioritize the driver. The overarching goal of L-finesse is to reflect the Japanese sense of hospitality and craft. And frankly, love it or hate it, nothing else looks like a Lexus. It’s also hard to dispute the marque’s penchant for delivering on its promises of comfort and build quality. This gives the Lexus RX a strong value proposition for buyers who primarily value quality and reliability over outright performance.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Lyndon Conrad Bell – Photo

The 2025 Lexus RX350h F Sport Design I reviewed for this report was powered by a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, teamed with a continuously variable transmission and a pair of electric motors. The latter were apportioned one each to the front and rear wheels, which gave the Lexus all-wheel drive. Total system output is 246 horsepower and 223pound-feetof torque. My Omega Speedmaster indicated it took just over seven seconds for the RX350h AWD to go from to 60 miles per hour.

This was enough to move the Lexus with competence, if not exactly alacrity. While I had no trouble merging with fast-moving highway traffic, I wasn’t bowled over by the RX300h F Sport Design’s acceleration either. In fact, there were times when the powertrain felt a bit overmatched by the 4,400-pound curb weight it was tasked with motivating.

Lyndon Conrad Bell – Photo

Basically, you need to plan your passing maneuvers out beforehand. I learned to lie back off of a car I wanted to pass to give myself room to get up to speed while still in my lane. I would then use the momentum I’d gained to get around slower-moving vehicles. This helped minimize my time in the opposite lane.

Ride quality, as you might expect, is exquisite. That the suspension engineering brief called for comfort over handling is evident in the way the RX350h goes about the business of transporting its inhabitants. There is no fuss, no drama — and no excitement. The interior is remarkably quiet as well. The only instances of engine noise I encountered occurred when the Lexus was given full throttle. Otherwise, it remained quiet, smooth, and utterly composed.

Lyndon Conrad Bell – Photo

By the way, you’ll want to pay close attention to the semantics of the model designation. Yes, the package is referred to using the marque’s F Sport nomenclature. However, the word “Design” in that phrase is the operative term. Lexus-speak for “all of the show without more go.” In other words, F Sport Design is an appearance package. It does not enhance the performance potential of the RX300h.

Performance Specifications

Lexus RX350h Fuel Economy

Lyndon Conrad Bell – Photo

EPA-cited fuel economy estimates are 37 mpg in the city, 34 on the highway, and 36 combined. The agency also estimates it would cost some $1,750 to fuel the RX350h over the course of a year. This calculation is based upon driving 15,000 miles annually and paying $4.25 per gallon. According to the trip computer, I saw an average of 35.6 miles per gallon.

Interior Design And Comfort

Like every other model in the current Lexus RX range, the RX350h is a two-row five-seat proposition. Some of you may recall Lexus offered a three-row version of the RX — known as the RXL — from 2018 to 2022. That niche is now occupied by the Lexus TX. Textured fabric sections on the upper door panels, tasteful ambient lighting elements, and open-pore wood trim enhanced the interior treatment.

Lyndon Conrad Bell – Photo

Additionally, the F Sport Design package endowed the hybrid Lexus crossover with a power-actuated moonroof, as well as heated and ventilated front seats. It also included a heated wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel, along with wireless smartphone charging.There was more than adequate head, shoulder, and legroom in the RX for all the primary seating positions. Driver and passenger comfort were obvious priorities, and premium materials abounded. Simply put, the Lexus RX350h provided a wonderful environment from which to watch the world go bye-bye.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Tech features fitted to the RX350h F Sport Design AWD model I sampled included the optional 14-inch touchscreen, cloud-based navigation, destination assistance, and the Lexus intelligent assistant. Standard driver’s aids included automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature. The RX300h also came standard with the marque’s intuitive parking assist solution. Everything operated intuitively, with no need to hunt and poke to actuate the most commonly used functions.

Cargo And Storage Space

The Lexus RX300h provided 29.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the second row deployed. Folding it unleashed 46.2 cubic feet. Split folding, the rear seat gave me the ability to carry more cargo and bring a third person along. To give you an idea of what those numbers mean, the cargo compartment is estimated to accommodate up to 11 carry-on suitcases with the second row deployed. Folded, it’s said you can get as many as 25 roll-aboard suitcases back there.

2025 Lexus RX350h Vs. Its Competitors

Lyndon Conrad Bell – Photo

BMW

Volvo

In terms of fit, finish, and reputation, two of the models most likely to be cross-shopped against the 2025 Lexus RX300h F Sport Design AWD are the 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive, which starts at $51,125, and the 2025 Volvo XC60 Hybrid Core T8 AWD, which starts at $59,345. While both models provide more in the way of driver engagement, they are priced and equipped similarly to the Lexus. Here, it should be noted that the X3 is all-new for the ’25 model year. The Volvo is scheduled for a refresh in 2026.

How The Lexus RX350h Compares To The BMW X3 30 xDrive

Base Trim Engine

2.0 turbo Inline-4

Base Trim Transmission

8-speed Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

255 hp @ 4,700-6,500 rpm

Base Trim Torque

295 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,500 rpm

Make

BMW

Model

X3

0-60 MPH

4.4-6.0 seconds

Segment

Compact Luxury SUV

BMW fits the X3 30 xDrive with its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine and an electric motor mounted between the engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission. Total system output is 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The model’s stated zero-to-60 time is 6.2 seconds. Unlike Lexus, BMW skews the behavior of its hybrid powertrain toward performance rather than fuel efficiency. EPA estimates are 27 mpg in the city, 33 on the highway, and 29 combined. Among the X3’s key attributes are numbered refinement, responsiveness, and comfort.

How The Lexus RX350h Compares To The Volvo XC60 Hybrid

Base Trim Engine

2.0L I4 Turbo

Base Trim Transmission

8-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

247 HP @5400 RPM

Base Trim Torque

266 lb.-ft. @ 1800 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

22/28/25 MPG

Base Trim Battery Type

Lead acid battery

Make

Volvo

Model

XC60

The Volvo’s hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four with a pair of electric motors. Similar to the BMW, one of these is mounted between the engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission, while the other one is situated between the rear wheels. Total system output is an eye-widening 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. (And yes, those are not typos.) The Volvo’s stated zero to 60 time is 4.5 seconds. The plug-in hybrid powertrain is also capable of 36 miles of electric-only driving. The EPA estimates the Volvo will achieve 28 miles per gallon in the city, on the highway, and combined. Among the Volvo’s key attributes are its comfort as well as its handsome, yet understated appearance, its generous array of standard features, and its performance (big surprise there).

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

Volvo

Zero to 60 in 4.5 seconds and 28 mpg? Where do I sign? Seriously, though, all other things being equal, the Volvo is the standout in this triumvirate of luxury crossovers. Lexus might have invented this category, but Volvo has taken it and run with it. Granted, the Lexus delivers far better fuel economy and has a strong reputation for reliability, which are definite pluses for a lot of people. Meanwhile, the BMW does an admirable job of bridging the gap. However, you’ll spend roughly $9,000 more than the cost of the Volvo to match its performance and get a BMW key fob.