5th Generation RX Discussion: Official Thread (RX 500h, 450h+, 350h and More)

[ssun30]

The RX500h is terrifyingly fast for 90% of RX buyers I guess. Any faster and they will be too afraid to buy one.

 

[CRSKTN]

People critizing the RXs performance arent living in reality.

I have rarely seen an AMG SUV that wasnt some doddling old wealth hoarder going 10 under.

Its more than enough for 99% of purchasers.

 

[sl0519]

Especially considering the “base” x5 40i does 0-60 in 4.5 seconds now

That's the point. Fast enough for RX buyers, but not enough for it to warrant an FSP badge.
Competitors' base model outperformed the "performance" version of yours.

 

[Gor134]

That's the point. Fast enough for RX buyers, but not enough for it to warrant an FSP badge.
Competitors' base model outperformed the "performance" version of yours.

TO BE FAIR, the what exactly warrants an FSP badge? The IS500 has shown that it's too soft to be a true F product hence it's FSP, what makes the RX500h FSP any different?

 

[CRSKTN]

outperformed the "performance" version of yours

Weird because the point of vehicles is to sell. If it was being "outperformed" it wouldnt be the best selling luxury vehicle in the US.

 

[sl0519]

TO BE FAIR, the what exactly warrants an FSP badge? The IS500 has shown that it's too soft to be a true F product hence it's FSP, what makes the RX500h FSP any different?

IS500 was much closer to m340i in all performance metrics, despite its outdated tech and interior.
RX500h FSP was in no way, shape or form, came close to competitors' base model, let alone their performance versions.

RX500h >> L4 + hybrid, 0-60 in 5.9
IS500 >> V8, 0-60 in 4.4

Can you make sense of both belonging to the same "FSP tier"? Clearly I can't 😁.

 

[Motor]

Lexus RX Review 2023 | Top Gear

The Lexus RX is a handsome player in the big SUV arena, but it's hard to play the value card this high up the price chain

www.topgear.com

It’s not the sportiest of things - even the faster RX500h is more an athletic take on the RX formula than a genuinely fast vehicle - but the RX is calm, serene, efficient and priced well in context of the rest of the segment. If cruising is a priority then the RX is worth a look.

 

[Motor]

 

[CRSKTN]

Here's a random and totally unnecessary thing:




The RX500H FSP has a faster 0-60 time than 31% of Ferraris released to date.
It's 0-60 performance puts you around Ferrari in the 1980s.
The IS500 FSP is faster than 50% of all ferrari models, and gives you comparable acceleration to a later 90's, early 2000's Ferrari.

No, they're not straight line rockets. You're talking about the RX here.

The 500FSP, if all it cared about was becoming some rocket, wouldn't have had the V8 and a basic interior so people who want to modify it won't be paying out the nose for OEM equipment they're going to toss or liquidate.

It would've been some massively expensive thing that only a handful of people would appreciate or dish out for.

What's the 0-60 of a car sitting in a lot?

 

[LarryT]

Horrible review! The RX500h deserves better.

 

[bogglo]

IS500 was much closer to m340i in all performance metrics, despite its outdated tech and interior.
RX500h FSP was in no way, shape or form, came close to competitors' base model, let alone their performance versions.

RX500h >> L4 + hybrid, 0-60 in 5.9
IS500 >> V8, 0-60 in 4.4

Can you make sense of both belonging to the same "FSP tier"? Clearly I can't 😁.

Lol you have missed the point of what the RX is. That is why you are making this argument. If Lexus wanted the RX to compete with the cars you have mentioned the base version will not be FWD. The RX and the ES has a secret that other car manufacturers are yet to have figured out it's why they are always best selling in their category most of the time. That secret is that they exist in within a category but don't directly compete, they are in their own special category. Expecting the same level of performance in the RX500 and the IS500 makes zero sense. The FSP badge is for increased performance when compared to regular F sport but not to F level of performance. Does the RX500 achieve that goal yes.

If you were making this argument for the LS or IS then you will have a point. For the ES and RX those are two vehicles just doing their own thing within the midsized luxury space.

 

[Ian Schmidt]

The RX and the ES has a secret that other car manufacturers are yet to have figured out it's why they are always best selling in their category most of the time. That secret is that they exist in within a category but don't directly compete, they are in their own special category.

Right. The RX invented its category and has done quite well with it for 25 years now. It's not a street racer, and it arguably shouldn't be.

 

[mikeavelli]

Yeah the RZ is clearly faster than the RX..

 

[internalaudit]

Wishing future Lexus vehicles will handle more dynamically. Would moving to RWD-bias help significantly or is it just the way suspension tuning is done over at Lexus that keeps it comfy but not as engaging?

Tested: 2023 Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance Is Speedy, Not Sporty
The fifth-generation RX gets the F Sport Performance treatment, but its dynamic performance is largely one-dimensional.

Tested: 2023 Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance Is Speedy, Not Sporty

The fifth-generation RX gets the F Sport Performance treatment, but its dynamic performance is largely one-dimensional.

www.caranddriver.com

 

[sl0519]

Wishing future Lexus vehicles will handle more dynamically. Would moving to RWD-bias help significantly or is it just the way suspension tuning is done over at Lexus that keeps it comfy but not as engaging?

Tested: 2023 Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance Is Speedy, Not Sporty
The fifth-generation RX gets the F Sport Performance treatment, but its dynamic performance is largely one-dimensional.

Tested: 2023 Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance Is Speedy, Not Sporty

The fifth-generation RX gets the F Sport Performance treatment, but its dynamic performance is largely one-dimensional.

www.caranddriver.com

Just get the base model, since that's what most buyers are interested in. RX (in traditional sense) is all about stress-free driving, low-running costs, and relatively good ride comfort. For its asking price (FSP), I'd rather get rear-biased German trio. Don't get me wrong - it's still a very decent car if you can look past the fact that it's at "FSP tier", but with that price to performance - it's certainly a no go.

 

[internalaudit]

Just get the base model, since that's what most buyers are interested in. RX (in traditional sense) is all about stress-free driving, low-running costs, and relatively good ride comfort. For its asking price (FSP), I'd rather get rear-biased German trio. Don't get me wrong - it's still a very decent car if you can look past the fact that it's at "FSP tier", but with that price to performance - it's certainly a no go.

What is FSP?

My wife wants a SUV/CUV eventually and I'd like for it to be a BEV though I do read with interest all these tests on Lexus vehicles to keep informed of any improvements in handling dynamics. I guess 4DIRECT is a step in the right direction but still leaves me wanting more.

The below article talks about traction control improvements over the years, it doesn't even talk about torque vectoring, which is at least one level up.

How Modern Traction and Stability Control Makes You Faster

It used to be that if you wanted the fastest lap time, you turned all the aides off. Now things are different.

www.roadandtrack.com

 

[sl0519]

What is FSP?

My wife wants a SUV/CUV eventually and I'd like for it to be a BEV though I do read with interest all these tests on Lexus vehicles to keep informed of any improvements in handling dynamics. I guess 4DIRECT is a step in the right direction but still leaves me wanting more.

The below article talks about traction control improvements over the years, it doesn't even talk about torque vectoring, which is at least one level up.

How Modern Traction and Stability Control Makes You Faster

It used to be that if you wanted the fastest lap time, you turned all the aides off. Now things are different.

www.roadandtrack.com

F Sport Performance.

There's only so much you can do to improve handling with software (Direct4). That's why most competitors are using rear-drive platform (for ICE at least). Less understeer, grips better, better weight distribution.
For BEV, perhaps wait for Macan EV?

 

[internalaudit]

F Sport Performance.

There's only so much you can do to improve handling with software (Direct4). That's why most competitors are using rear-drive platform (for ICE at least). Less understeer, grips better, better weight distribution.
For BEV, perhaps wait for Macan EV?

With all the issues with the Taycan, a hard pass on VAG BEVs lol. Not worth the entry price and experience haha.

Maybe once all those software issues are resolved down the road, then the Macan EV comes back to my blank shortlist.

 

[Kelvin2020]

2024 Acura MDX Type S vs. Lexus RX500h F Sport: Outright Performance?

With plenty of punch and lots of space, these two Japanese SUVs bring performance and versatility into this head-to-head battle.

www.motortrend.com

First Place: Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance

Pros

• Quick, refined powertrain
• Settled ride
• Superb fuel economy

Cons

• Bland steering feel
• No third row
• Noisy tires

Second Place: Acura MDX Type S

Pros

• Well-equipped cabin
• Great safety technologies
• Fits up to seven passengers

Cons

• Unrefined ride
• Needs more Type S punch
• Hard-to-use tech

 

[ericjtsang]

not to beat a dead horse, but 6.2 and 5.9 for 0-60 at >$70k is an interesting sell. It's still new, but I wonder how this will hold up as the market normalizes. I don't think I've ever even seen a Type S out anywhere. Like many have said, most Lexus buyers won't even need the speed, so who is this for?