Verdict
The Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport is the rational buy at RM498,888. The RM14,000 step to the Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport Special Edition brings no listed gain in performance, safety or cabin equipment: both use a 275 hp 2,393 cc turbo petrol engine, two 188 hp motors, all-wheel drive and reach 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. Both also get 21-inch wheels, Adaptive Variable Suspension, a 14-inch touchscreen and heated, ventilated front and rear seats. On paper, the extra money is for the Special Edition trim rather than added hardware.
Pick the Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport if you want the identical listed drivetrain, safety and comfort kit for RM14,000 less.
Pick the Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport Special Edition if the Special Edition designation matters to you enough to justify RM14,000 with no listed hardware gain.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport RM498,888; Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport Special Edition RM512,888.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport 6.2 seconds; Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport Special Edition 6.2 seconds.
- Petrol engine output: Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport 275 hp and 430 Nm; Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport Special Edition 275 hp and 430 Nm.
- Motor output: Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport two motors, 188 hp and 461 Nm; Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport Special Edition two motors, 188 hp and 461 Nm.
- Safety equipment: Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport has autonomous braking, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert; Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport Special Edition…
RX 500h F Sport
- RM14,000 less expensive.
- Same 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time and all-wheel drive.
- Same 14-inch touchscreen, 12-speaker audio and 360-degree camera.
- No Special Edition designation.
RX 500h F Sport Special Edition
- Same 275 hp turbo petrol engine and two-motor hybrid system.
- Same Adaptive Variable Suspension and 21-inch matte-finish alloy wheels.
- Same heated and ventilated front and rear seats.
- Costs RM14,000 more.
- No listed performance advantage: both reach 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds.
- No listed extra safety, comfort or infotainment equipment.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM498,888✓ | RM512,888 |
| 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 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 11 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 188 hp | 188 hp |
| Motor Torque | 461 Nm | 461 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Direct Shift | 6-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.2 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 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloy with Matte Finish | 21" Alloy with Matte Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloy with Matte Finish | 21" Alloy with Matte Finish |
| 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 | RM754 | RM754 |
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.
Used cars for sale
RX 500h F Sport vs RX 500h F Sport Special Edition FAQ
Is the Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport or Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport Special Edition better?
The RX 500h F Sport is the better buy. It matches the Special Edition’s listed powertrain, 6.2-second sprint, safety systems and cabin equipment while costing RM14,000 less.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport Special Edition costs RM14,000 more than the Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport: RM512,888 versus RM498,888.
Does the Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport Special Edition accelerate faster?
No. Both variants have all-wheel drive, a six-speed Direct Shift automatic and a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 6.2 seconds.