2023 Lexus RX 500h F Sport up for grabs in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Lexus has expanded the RX crossover lineup in Malaysia with the addition of a new variant called the RX 500h F Sport. The new trim sits above the RX 350 Luxury that was launched earlier this year in May. 

The automaker has started accepting bookings for the fully-imported 2023 Lexus RX 500h F Sport, priced at RM 498,888 (on the road, without insurance). Included in the price is a five-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty and an eight-year unlimited mileage battery warranty.

Powering the new Lexus RX is a new hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline-four engine with two electric motors. Together, the setup churns out a maximum power of 371 PS and a peak torque of 550 Nm, enabling the SUV to run from 0 to 100 kmph in 6.2 seconds. The top speed is rated at 210 kmph.

The hybrid mill comes paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox, a small 5 Ah battery pack, and Lexus Direct4 intelligent all-wheel drive system. Also, parts of the kit are F-Sport-tuned suspensions with adaptive dampers and a Dynamic Rear Steering system allowing rear-wheels steer up to four degrees.

In terms of design, the new Lexus trim marks its unique identity with the help of F-Sport touches. The exterior F Sport body kit includes a distinctive black-coloured Spindle Body grille, aggressive bumpers with faux air vents, darkened window trims, body-coloured side skirts, and a fresh pair of matte black 21-inch light alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres.

The SUV also benefits from exclusive F-Sport interior highlights comprising sport seats with the F Sport logo, variant-specific displays on the instrument panel, Ultrasuede and leather upholstery, F Sport steering wheel, aluminium pedals, and Dark Spin aluminium trims. The top-spec version also comes equipped with a 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound system.

Parts of the SUV’s standard equipment kit are -

• Tri-beam BladeScan matrix LED headlights
• Full-width LED tail lights
• E-Latch door handles.
• 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display
• Three-zone climate control system
• Head-up display.
• Ventilated front and rear seats
• Wireless charging pad
• NanoeX negative ion air purifier
• 64 colour ambient lighting system

As for safety, the new Lexus RX variant gets a panoramic view monitor, blind spot monitoring with safe exit assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) suite. The latter comprises -

• Pre-Collision System
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with stop-and-go function and Curve Speed Reduction
• Lane Departure Alert 
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Adaptive High-beam System with BladeScan 
• Road Sign Assist

Lexus Malaysia offers the new RX 500h F Sport in four exciting colour tones viz. Sonic Iridium, Graphite Black Glass Flake, White Nova Glass, and Sonic Copper.

Also read: 2024 Lexus ES debuts in the US with tech upgrades