2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Ford Bronco captivated enthusiasts with its retro styling and robust off-road capabilities. It offered a wide range of trims, including the Everglades and Bronco Raptor, which were designed for extreme terrains. The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, featuring short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height to enhance its off-road prowess. Inside, the Bronco maintained its rugged theme with features like sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs, allowing for easy cleaning after off-road adventures. Despite its ruggedness, the Bronco incorporated modern technology, such as G.O.A.T. modes and a digital instrument panel, making it a versatile choice for both off-road enthusiasts and everyday drivers.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid presented a more refined and luxurious experience. The RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models shared a similar exterior design with the standard RX 350, with subtle differences like the RX 500h's blacked-out grille and aggressive styling. The RX's interior was minimalistic, featuring a new Lexus Interface infotainment system and contemporary textures. The RX 350h Luxury model boasted Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a sportier all-black interior with artificial suede and dark grey aluminum trim. The RX Hybrid models prioritized comfort and efficiency, with features like ten-way power-adjustable front seats and three-zone automatic climate control.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 2.7-litre V6 engine delivering 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco's seven-speed manual transmission, available with the four-cylinder engine, featured a unique crawl gear for low-speed driving. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case, ensuring impressive off-road capabilities. The Everglades model excelled in challenging terrains, with features like a snorkel and winch, and could ford water up to 92.5 centimetres deep. On-road, the Bronco offered a smoother ride than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, with minimal wind noise and excellent highway stability.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new powertrain lineup. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque, achieving a combined fuel economy of 6.5 L/100 km. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model boasted a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder hybrid engine with 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 100 km/h in about 6 seconds. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering system enhanced its athleticism, while the six-speed automatic transmission provided a more engaging driving experience. However, the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 11.3 L/100 km during testing.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design contributed to its spacious interior, offering ample headroom and legroom for passengers. The two-door model provided 634 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,481 litres with the seats folded. The four-door model increased these figures to 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. Clever storage solutions, such as netted door pockets and accessory rails, added to the Bronco's practicality. The Bronco also featured external hard mounting points for additional utility.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid prioritized comfort and luxury. The RX 350h Luxury model featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather and a three-zone automatic climate control system. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger side bolsters and standard heated and ventilated front seats. The RX's battery placement under the rear seat provided excellent leg support, though rear headroom was slightly compromised. The RX offered 838 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,308 litres with the seat folded, a significant improvement over the previous model.

The 2022 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. modes allowed drivers to select terrain-specific settings, while the forward-looking trail camera provided confidence on challenging trails. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses and sharp graphics, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, the Lexus Interface, which required subscription services for full functionality. The system featured a cloud-based navigation system and an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. However, the interface had some drawbacks, such as limited screen menu views and reflections on the display. The RX also offered a head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, though these were challenging to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Ford Bronco came with standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional packages added features such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Bronco received mixed safety ratings, with four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA, and "Good" ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driver assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The RX also offered Proactive Driving Assist, which maintained safe following distances and recharged the battery through regenerative braking. While the safety systems generally performed well, some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations.