Car Buyer's Guide

Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport vs RX 500h F Sport Special Edition

Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport

Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport

Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport Special Edition

Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport Special Edition

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.

RX 500h F Sport

Pick the Lexus RX RX 500h F Sport if you want the identical listed drivetrain, safety and comfort kit for RM14,000 less.

RX 500h F Sport Special Edition

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
PriceRM498,888RM512,888
Body typeSUVSUV
SegmentExecutiveExecutive
AssemblyCBUCBU
Powertrain
Engine Tech16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing
Capacity2,393 cc2,393 cc
Horsepower275 hp275 hp
Torque430 Nm430 Nm
FuelPetrol Hybrid/REVPetrol Hybrid/REV
Bore87.5 mm87.5 mm
Compression Ratio1111
Number of Motors22
Motor Horsepower188 hp188 hp
Motor Torque461 Nm461 Nm
Drivetrain
TransmissionConventional AutomaticConventional Automatic
Transmission Name6-Speed Direct Shift6-Speed Direct Shift
Gears66
Transmission ManufacturerAisinAisin
DrivelineAll Wheel DriveAll Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h6.2 seconds6.2 seconds
Dimensions
Length4,890 mm4,890 mm
Width1,920 mm1,920 mm
Height1,695 mm1,695 mm
Wheelbase2,850 mm2,850 mm
Weight1,914 kg1,914 kg
Fuel Tank68 litres68 litres
Doors55
Seats55
Boot Space612 litres612 litres
Front Tyre235/50R21235/50R21
Rear Tyre235/50R21235/50R21
Spare TyreTyre Repair KitTyre Repair Kit
Factory TyresMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SUVMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
Chassis
AssemblyJapan (CBU)Japan (CBU)
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutMacPherson Strut
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkMulti-link
Front Wheels21" Alloy with Matte Finish21" Alloy with Matte Finish
Rear Wheels21" Alloy with Matte Finish21" Alloy with Matte Finish
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Chassis NotesAdaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)
Safety
AirbagsDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's KneeDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee
ABS/EBD
Stability Control
Alarm
Immobilizer
Airbag Disable Function
Child Safety LockManual for Rear DoorsManual for Rear Doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point5 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System
ISOFIXAvailable on Two Outer Rear Passenger SeatsAvailable on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYesYes
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionSteering Correction
Collision Warning
Seatbelt ReminderFor All SeatsFor All Seats
Safety NotesRear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Lighting
HeadlampsAdaptive LED ProjectorAdaptive LED Projector
TaillampsLED CombinationLED Combination
LED Daytime Running Lights
Front Foglamps
Rear Foglamps
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators
Cabin
Front Seats10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated
Rear SeatsPower Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and VentilatedPower Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate ConciergeDual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge
Rear Air-conSingle-zone Automatic Climate ControlSingle-zone Automatic Climate Control
Power Sockets1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB
Interior LightingMap Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours)Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours)
Cup Holders2 Front, 2 Rear2 Front, 2 Rear
Audio14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System
Convenience
Power WindowsFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch
Engine StartKeyless Push ButtonKeyless Push Button
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Start/Stop
Auto Headlamps
Auto Wipers
Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise Control with Stop and GoAdaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go
Paddle Shift
Steering Audio Control
Steering Tilt
Steering Telescopic
Electric Steering Adjustment
Boot OperationPowered Boot with Contactless OpeningPowered Boot with Contactless Opening
Parking Sensor Front4 Sensors4 Sensors
Parking Sensor Rear4 Sensors4 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D FunctionYes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function
Folding Wing Mirrors
Bluetooth
Navigation
Head-up Display
Hill Start Assist
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorFull LCD Monitor
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Convenience NotesQi Wireless ChargerQi Wireless Charger
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimitedUnlimited
Warranty Manufacturer5 years5 years
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM754RM754

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 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.

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