Verdict
At RM468,888 versus RM498,888, the Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport asks RM30,000 more than the Lexus RX RX 350 Luxury. The gap is mainly mechanical: both use a 2,393 cc turbo engine rated at 275 hp and 430 Nm, but the F Sport adds two electric motors, a nickel-metal hydride battery and cuts 0-100 km/h from 7.6 to 6.2 seconds. The Luxury already gets the big-ticket cabin and safety kit, so the extra cash buys hybrid punch, foglamps, F Sport trim and tyres, not more seats or boot space.
RX 350 Luxury
Pick the Lexus RX RX 350 Luxury if you want the RX cabin, safety kit and 275 hp turbo engine while keeping the RM30,000 difference in your pocket.
RX 500h F Sport
Pick the Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport if the quicker 6.2-second sprint, two electric motors and F Sport-specific details matter enough to justify the extra spend.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus RX RX 350 Luxury RM468,888; Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport RM498,888
- Electrification: Lexus RX RX 350 Luxury petrol only; Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport petrol hybrid/REV with nickel-metal hydride battery
- Electric motors: Lexus RX RX 350 Luxury none; Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport 2 motors rated at 85/102 hp and 292/169 Nm
- Transmission: Lexus RX RX 350 Luxury 8-Speed Direct Shift automatic; Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport 6-Speed Direct Shift automatic
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus RX RX 350 Luxury 7.6 seconds; Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport 6.2 seconds
- Lighting and tyres: Lexus RX RX 350 Luxury has no front/rear foglamps and Bridgestone Alenza 001 tyres; Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport has front/rear foglamps and…
RX 350 Luxury
- RM30,000 cheaper to buy
- Same 2,393 cc turbo engine output at 275 hp and 430 Nm
- Still gets adaptive cruise control with stop and go, 360-degree camera, head-up display and 14-inch touchscreen
- Slower 0-100 km/h time at 7.6 seconds versus 6.2 seconds
- No electric motors or hybrid battery
- No front or rear foglamps
RX 500h F Sport
- Quicker 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- Adds two electric motors with 85/102 hp and 292/169 Nm motor outputs
- Gets front and rear foglamps, auto start/stop and F Sport-specific 21-inch matte-finish alloys
- Costs RM30,000 more
- Uses a 6-speed Direct Shift automatic versus the Luxury’s 8-speed unit
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 468,888✓ | RM 498,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,393 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 275 hp | 275 hp |
| Torque | 430 Nm | 430 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 11 |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 85/102 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 292/169 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Nickel-Metal Hydride |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | 6-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,890 mm | 4,890 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 1,914 kg | 1,914 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 68 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 612 litres | 612 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R21 | 235/50R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R21 | 235/50R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 21" Alloy with Matte Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 21" Alloy with Matte Finish |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 754 | RM 754 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
RX 350 Luxury vs RX 500h F Sport FAQ
Is the Lexus RX RX 350 Luxury or Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport better?
The Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport is better for performance, with two electric motors and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time. The Lexus RX RX 350 Luxury is better value if you can live with 7.6 seconds and no hybrid hardware.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport costs RM30,000 more than the Lexus RX RX 350 Luxury, at RM498,888 versus RM468,888.
Does the Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport get more equipment?
Yes, but the key listed additions are specific: front and rear foglamps, auto start/stop, hybrid components, F Sport wheels and different tyres. Major comfort and safety items such as the 14-inch screen, head-up display and 360-degree camera are shared.