2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2022 Kia Sorento, particularly in the X-Line trim, presented a stylish and robust appearance. With rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, and black lower body cladding, it exuded a sense of purpose and definition. The Sorento's interior was equally impressive, featuring quality materials like leather upholstery and simulated wood trim. The cabin's construction was solid, with attention to design detail evident even in the most affordable models. The Sorento's interior style and traditional cable-operated transmission shifter did not compromise practical storage space, making it a well-rounded choice for those seeking both aesthetics and functionality.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, while not traditionally gorgeous, offered a more minimalistic and contemporary interior design. The RX 350h Luxury model featured beautiful Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance model had a sportier all-black interior with artificial suede and dark grey aluminum trim. The RX's exterior design, however, was somewhat unbalanced, with a blunt-nosed appearance and a rear roof pillar design that visually shortened the SUV's rear end. Despite these design quirks, the RX Hybrid's interior was comfortable and luxurious, with features like backlit ambient lighting enhancing the overall experience.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a range of engine options, with the turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine being the standout choice. This engine produced 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, providing a more enjoyable driving experience compared to the base 191-hp engine. The turbo engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, allowing the Sorento to accelerate to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. The Sorento's suspension was tuned for a blend of compliance and composure, making it feel more like a sports sedan than an SUV. However, fuel consumption was higher than expected, with an average of 11.4 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two hybrid powertrains: the RX 350h and the RX 500h F Sport Performance. The RX 350h, with its 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, was more fuel-efficient, averaging 7.4 L/100 km during testing. The RX 500h, on the other hand, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, providing a more exhilarating driving experience. It featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and an exclusive Direct4 AWD system. Despite its performance capabilities, the RX 500h's fuel consumption was higher than expected, averaging 11.3 L/100 km. The RX Hybrid's driving dynamics were enhanced by features like adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering, making it a fun and engaging vehicle to drive.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior was designed with comfort and practicality in mind. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the second-row captain's chairs offered ample space and comfort for passengers. However, the third-row seat was cramped and uncomfortable for adults, making it more suitable for children. The Sorento's cargo space was flexible, with up to 2,139 litres available when the second and third-row seats were folded down. The "smart" power tailgate added convenience when loading and unloading cargo.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior, with ten-way power-adjustable front seats and premium leather upholstery in the RX 350h Luxury model. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model featured eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger side bolsters and standard-grade leather. The RX Hybrid's rear seats offered excellent leg support and good legroom, but rear headroom was tight due to the lower roofline. The RX's cargo space was improved over the previous model, with 838 litres available behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the back seat folded down.

The 2022 Kia Sorento featured an intuitive infotainment system with either an 8-inch or 10.25-inch touchscreen display, depending on the trim level. The system offered navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone integration, although the larger display required a cable for app connectivity. The Sorento's infotainment system shared technology with Hyundai models, but the voice recognition system was less effective. A 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system was available on the SX trim, and a wireless phone charger was standard starting with the LX Premium trim.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, offering a modern and connected experience. The system required activation of free trial subscriptions to various connected services plans, including cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. The RX Hybrid's infotainment system had some drawbacks, such as limited screen menu views and reflections on the display. The available head-up display and dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel added convenience, but the lack of a tuning knob and the difficulty of navigating menus while driving were noted as areas for improvement.

The 2022 Kia Sorento was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system, Junction Assist, and a Blind View Monitor system. The Highway Driving Assist technology provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Sorento received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with the only negative rating being for the LED headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Sorento a four-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star ratings for driver and front passenger protection and rollover resistance.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driver assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The RX Hybrid also featured Proactive Driving Assist, which maintained a safe following distance and recharged the battery pack through regenerative braking. While the safety features generally operated with refinement and accuracy, some irritations were noted, such as the new front cross-traffic alert system and the curve-speed reduction tech. The RX Hybrid also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, although these features were not tested during the review.