LEXUS RX-500H F SPORT

That color is Copper Crest, a warm, shimmery hue that changes as the light hits it, stands out from all others in a parking lot, and causes strangers to comment on its beauty. And while there are other color choices (Ultra White, Iridium, Cloudburst Grey, or Caviar Black), this bronze beauty gives off a quintessentially cool vibe.

A LOOK INSIDE
Cool, too, is the hybrid engine on this sporty SUV, with a starting sticker price of $63,800. It’s a six-speed, four-cylinder turbo giving off 366hp, which means loads of pep and power while at the same time being a certified “Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle” (SULEV). That’s partially because it is a hybrid, with a battery that powers both a front-mounted electric motor and a high-output rear motor. The SUV gets 27 mpg in city driving and more on the highway.

The Lexus F Sport is also an all-wheel drive car, meaning it adjusts to different terrains (think up at the ski slopes, out at the beach, on windy roads) and holds the road in bad weather conditions, too. Inside, the SUV has plenty of room, with a five-passenger capacity, comfortable seats, good legroom and headroom, and lots of cargo space in the back. It’s also got a terrific design for city dwellers and road trippers, as the back and side windows are tinted to the degree that it is almost impossible to see what is being transported in the back; plus, there’s a pull-across cargo area cover that completes the camouflage, leaving nothing to tempt a break-in. Add in the optional rear door with a kick sensor, and loading the back with full arms is a breeze, too.

SMOOTH ALL THE WAY
This luxury SUV’s ease of handling makes it an absolute delight, especially on the highway. You’re likely to forget you’re driving an SUV, as once in the car’s cockpit, it feels more like a smooth sports car than a cumbersome SUV. Quick and agile, the RX 500h F Sport gives an incredibly smooth ride—so smooth that it is a little too easy to find yourself going 90mph in a 70mph zone!

The vehicle is equipped with many modern conveniences, some of which drive me crazy. I love the side mirror warning lights when a vehicle is next to the Lexus in the blind spot, and the heated or ventilated seats are fantastic. But I don’t want a pop-up display of my speed on the windshield in front of my eyes, and I can parallel park like a champ after decades of parking a car on the streets of New York. And having the car “bing” loudly when I take my eyes from front and center is seriously annoying (that option is designed to alert you when you fall asleep at the wheel, apparently). However, it’s a good thing that all the so-called “safety” features can be turned off via the large “Panoramic View Monitor” (another option worth taking) that runs everything from temperature to navigation, music, and all those help-you-drive elements.

Overall, the Lexus RX 500h F Sport is made for those who want to have it all—a vehicle that’s fun to drive, a good size for carrying friends and family (and their luggage) for a night out or a trip beyond the city limits, filled with safety features, and has that unique Copper Crest coloring that makes it stand out from the rest of the SUVs in its class.

For more information about the Lexus RX 500h F Sport,
visit lexus.com/models/RX-hybrid