Driving the 2026 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD

The Lexus RX has been the best-selling luxury vehicle in America for more than a decade. A quick hunt through Kelley Blue Book data shows that it took the crown from the BMW 3 Series in January 2015 and has kept it since.

More than any other vehicle on the market, the RX strikes the balance Americans want in a luxury car.

In part, Americans buy a lot of RX SUVs because there are so many RX SUVs. In 2026, Lexus offers its bestseller with four powertrains. The company builds 11 trim levels of gas-powered models, both front-wheel (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), as well as six hybrid trims in two different powertrains, and two plug-in hybrid versions.

Once you decide you want an RX, you have 19 models to choose from.

I’ve driven several versions, and never found a bad one. But I spent a week recently testing the top-of-the-line hybrid model — the 2026 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD. It’s the most high-performance version of the RX, with a 6-speed automatic transmission where others use a gearless continuously variable automatic (CVT), 120 more horsepower than other hybrid models, and an adaptive suspension and rear-wheel steering to tighten the handling.

Is it worth the added cost? That answer depends on your priorities. But a week of testing in Washington,  D.C. and its suburbs made me appreciate the added agility and power.

It doesn’t make the RX into a rival for European canyon-carving SUVs like the BMW X5. But if you want the comfort of an RX with a dose of added sport, here it is, with (slightly) better fuel economy, the 500h might be your next car.

Which Trim Level

With 19 to choose from, trim level is an important part of every RX purchase decision. Some trim levels differ only in details of cabin tech and finishes. But the RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD is a genuinely different car. A high-output performance hybrid system delivers 366 hp, compared to 246 hp in other hybrids. A more advanced AWD system than that found in other RX hybrids distributes torque between the wheels. An adaptive suspension adjusts for road conditions. Rear-wheel steering tightens the handling. It makes for an altogether sportier and livelier vehicle.

Favorite Feature

The Lexus RX has long had a reputation as a straight A-minus student; good at everything but not exceptional at anything. That’s the heart of its appeal. It’s one of the most well-balanced vehicles built today.

The 500h, however, sees it raise its performance grade and lose that minus. There are quicker midsize luxury SUVs, but you have to go European and sacrifice that Toyota reliability to get them. The Lexus Direct4 AWD system splits torque as needed, and rear-wheel steering does what it sounds like it does. The two combine to significantly improve handling, both for parking lot maneuvering and for that winding road you love.

What It’s Like to Drive

The RX 500h offers a comfortable, compliant ride in traffic with an engine that snarls a bit if you step on it. It doesn’t snarl like an untamed wolf. It snarls like a family dog with unexpected aggression when pushed. That’s kinda fun.

Handling is sedate and true to center in Normal and Eco modes, but tightens appreciably in Sport mode. I’m a particular fan of the rear-wheel steering system.

It takes a calm commuter and makes it a bit sharper, a bit more agile, and a bit more fun than most.

The red brake calipers might lead you to expect unusual braking power, but the brakes on the 500h require no special treatment. They’re predictable and steady, but no more powerful than you’re used to.

I fear I’m overselling the RX 500h on its performance credentials. To be clear, those of you looking for a performance-oriented luxury SUV should test-drive a BMW X5 or Audi Q7 to understand what the benchmark for performance is in this segment.

Do so, and you’ll find that the RX 500h isn’t quite in their league. What does it have to advertise itself? Performance that’s 90% as sharp and grippy, plus greater comfort and a reliability reputation no other midsize luxury SUV can touch.

Interior Comfort and Technology

The RX500h may be the most high-performance version of the best-selling Lexus, but it’s still a Lexus. The company has a hard-earned reputation for reliable cars with comfortable cabins that feel cocooned from the world outside.

The RX 500h is a feast of textures. Real leather — Rioja Red in my tester — appears on the seats perforated for ventilation in most spots, smooth in others, and sueded on the side bolsters to provide a bit of grip in the corners. Contrasting panels of black leather and Dark Graphite Aluminum trim add to the high-fashion feel. Ultrasuede door panels are technically imitation leather, but you’d never guess that from the feel.

Road and wind noise are almost completely silenced — a Lexus trademark. My tester had the optional Mark Levinson 21-speaker, 1,800-watt PurePlay surround sound system, which is exceptionally crisp and a bargain at $1,160.

The driver faces both a 12.3-inch digital display and a 10-inch color head-up display (HUD). They sit next to a 14-inch touchscreen that feels quite large in this space. It handles all HVAC controls — there are no buttons or knobs beneath. I’m on record as preferring buttons, but the Lexus interface is simple to understand, and you’re not likely to find yourself hunting through many menus.

Rear seats are heated and ventilated, with their own USB-C ports. You’ll find more legroom in most domestic 2-row midsize luxury SUVs, but the rear-seat dimensions of the RX are fairly typical for imported models.

Cargo space is a bit tight compared to some — a consequence of its curvier design. But the rear seats fold down at the touch of a button to create more.

Limitations

The RX offers just 42.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. A comparable Lincoln Nautilus — another SUV known for its interior comfort — dwarfs that at 71.3. The Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60 boast similar numbers.

Key Considerations

While the RX 500h is the best-performing edition of the RX, its hybrid status gives it only a modest improvement in fuel economy. A gas-powered RX with AWD, the EPA says, should achieve 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The 500h beats that with 27. But if fuel economy is the reason you’re considering a hybrid, you might be happier with the 350h models, which manage 36 mpg.