2025 Lexus RX 350h Sports Luxury Review

When we drove the Lexus RX 350h in its entry-level Luxury grade last year, we were impressed by its long list of standard equipment and luxurious cabin. From a value proposition, the sub-$90k RX 350h Luxury is hard to top in the large premium SUV segment.

Now, let’s take a look at the other end of the line-up. At the top of the RX range sits the flagship Sports Luxury trim. Once again, we’re in what we think is the best powertrain of all the RX offerings – the RX 350h self-charging hybrid. This model retails at $113,600 plus on-road costs, a significant $26k more than the RX 350h Luxury. There’s no middle ground here as the 350h isn’t offered in mid-spec F Sport guise. So it’s either the range-opening Luxury or range-topping Sports Luxury if you want a hybrid RX (the RX 500h Performance and RX 450h+ PHEV being the exceptions).

So what do you get with the extra outlay? From the outside, the Sports Luxury is essentially the same as the Luxury saved for those larger 21-inch polished chrome wheels. And that makes all the difference. Those premium-looking two inches larger wheels finish off the stylish design of the RX so much better. And on a Graphite Black RX like our test vehicle, they just pop.

The RX is a good-looking SUV with sleek lines, broad haunches and short overhangs. We especially like the integrated grille at the front, Lexus’ new signature fascia. It blends in nicely with the front bumper and the rest of the styling. It’s also a smart way to tone down and make more elegant the previously controversial Lexus spindle grille.

At the rear the LED light bar is the most prominent and stretches the width of the car giving it a wide stance. The floating roof design first introduced in the previous generation RX has also been massaged to blend in more gracefully with the tailgate for a sleeker look.

The RX’ classy design is mimic on the inside, with the interior sporting a layered dashboard that wraps around the driver for a focused yet premium cockpit vibe. We like how wonderfully executed the cabin is, nothing is there just for the sake, every line is necessary, everything is sized right and each component harmoniously fits in with the rest.

While the expansive 14-inch centre touchscreen display is shared across the range including the base Luxury model, the Sports Luxury is otherwise a lot more premium on the inside, mostly in terms of materiality. The exclusive woodgrain trims applied with restraint on the upper dash, centre console and steering wheel feel exquisite and expensive. The semi-aniline leather upholstery with L-motif suede inserts is another Sports Luxury exclusive and boy do they look good.

The aforementioned centre touchscreen display runs Lexus’ latest infotainment system. It’s a massive improvement over the previous generation system, with higher definition, quicker processing and better menu structure. It supports smartphone-like pinch and scroll gesture which is a big plus. Even the voice command feature now finally understands English and does work, unlike before. We like the seamless integration of physical temperature control knobs onto the touchscreen. It’s a clever way to reduce clutter without sacrificing usability. And kudos for having a third physical knob for volume adjustment.

The touchscreen supports wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, with sound played through a terrific 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound system. Satellite navigation is built-in as well.

Where the cabin tech trails the competition is in the instrumentation binnacle right before the driver. The digital instrument cluster fills up just half of the available space. It’s small not just in the luxury segment but in general. It just doesn’t look right in a circa $100k car. Lexus does have a full size digital cluster currently in used in models like the LBX, GX and LM. Here’s hoping it gets fitted to the RX in the next update.

The front seats are some of the most comfortable in class, with them contoured perfectly to the average adult body. They may not be as snug as the F Sport seats but they are certainly more relaxing for long trips. The rear seats are also very plush, with the generous leg and headroom adding to rear passenger comfort.There’s a low centre hump in the rear passenger floor but it doesn’t really impede on leg space. Rear occupants also get their own climate control.

The boot of the RX measures 612 litres which is below class average. We suspect the heavily racked rear windscreen is to blame, such is the price to pay for sleek design. Drop the rear seats and the space expands to 1678 litres, which is again less spacious than key rivals. With the rear seats being 40:20:40 split folding, you can carry long and lean items by folding the middle seat while still having the two outboard seats usable.

Lexus RX 350h Sports Luxury standard equipment

• 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio, wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay
• Colour head-up display
• Digital instrument cluster display
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Active Noise Control
• 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound system
• 10-way power-adjustable front seats with memory function
• Heated steering wheel
• Power-folding and reclining rear seats
• Heated and ventilated outboard rear seats21-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels

As mentioned, amongst the RX line-up the powertrain in the RX 350h, in our opinion, strikes the best balance between performance, refinement and efficiency. In Sports Luxury guise, it’s a combo of a normally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motors – one at each axle to give all-wheel drive capability. It’s worth noting that while the front wheels are driven by both the engine and electric motor in hybrid fashion, the rear wheels are solely motivated by electric power. This negates the need for a driveshaft, saving weight and reducing complexity. After all, the RX is a soft-roader that doesn’t need a rugged 4X4 driveline.

Total output is rated at 184kW and 270Nm. Those figures are decent but not exactly eye-watering. They still manage to propel the 2-tonne RX from 0 to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds. For a family SUV, that’s about all the performance you’ll ever need.

Where the hybrid drivetrain impresses is in its operation. Two decades of meticulous fine tuning has produced one of, if not the best, hybrid systems on the market. The near seamless transition between electric and combustion power delivers an EV-like driving feel with impressive refinement and quietness. You’re never drawn into the workings and all. It just does its own thing in the background, expertly shuffling between the power sources.

It may lack engagement but the continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a good match for the hybrid system. It’s discreet yet suitably responsive when you put your foot down. While we didn’t have a chance to take the RX off-road, the AWD would come in handy on icy roads or wet gravel tracks.

For a large SUV, the RX’s handling can be commended for its tautness and tidiness around corners. It’s a heavy car but it’s surprisingly responsive, owing in part to the direct and precise steering, as well as the adaptive suspension which comes standard in the Sports Luxury model.

Being a self-charging hybrid, there’s no range anxiety with the RX 350h, unlike a full EV. Driven sensibly, it’s capable of over 1000km in range with a full tank of 65 litres. Against a rated average fuel economy of 5.4L/100km, the RX achieved 5.5L/100km on test after about 800km of mixed driving. That’s pretty close to the official figure and remarkably efficient for a large SUV.

Lexus RX 350h Sports Luxury safety features

• 8 airbags
• Automatic emergency braking
• Side door exit warning
• Pre-Collision System with intersection collision avoidance support, emergency steering assist and low-speed acceleration suppression
• Lane departure alert
• Adaptive radar cruise control
• Lane tracing assist
• Blind spot monitor
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Traffic sign recognition and display

The RX 350h is covered by Lexus’ five-year/unlimited km warranty. Service interval is 15000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first. The company offers a free Lexus loan vehicle when your Lexus is being serviced or can even come to your home or workplace to pick up and then return your Lexus for servicing.

Verdict

2025 Lexus RX 350h Sports Luxury AWD pricing and specification