2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover underwent a subtle evolution rather than a radical redesign. Its front and side profiles closely resembled the previous generation, with a broad, rounded face and large, unadorned sheet metal. A vertical accent strip under the mirrors distinguished the new model from its predecessor. The rear view saw the most significant change, with thin LED strips replacing the old square taillights, integrated into a darker trim element. The Range Rover emphasized its size, especially in the long-wheelbase version, which added 20 centimetres in length. Inside, the cabin was simplified with fewer buttons and a larger touchscreen, offering a modern look. Premium leather seats and rich wood trim elements enhanced the luxurious feel, while the solid build quality ensured a quiet and refined ride.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, redesigned for the model year, maintained its popularity despite not being considered visually stunning. The RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance hybrid versions shared a similar appearance with the standard RX 350, except for the badge on the liftgate. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint job, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. Inside, the RX adopted a cleaner, minimalistic design with fewer controls and a new infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a black interior with artificial suede and dark grey aluminum trim. The RX 350h was priced at $63,436, while the RX 500h started at $83,086 in Canada.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover offered two powertrains: the base P400 with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, and the P530 with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The P400 accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 5.8 seconds, while the P530 provided even more power. The Range Rover's handling was surprisingly agile for its size, with well-managed body roll and a calm, composed driving experience. Rear-wheel steering enhanced maneuverability, and the Terrain Response system optimized off-road capability. The ride quality was smooth, with minimal wind and road noise, making it one of the most comfortable luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured a new powertrain lineup. The RX 350h used a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving. It accelerated to 100 km/h in about 7.5 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance employed a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, generating 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated fuel consumption of 8.6 L/100 km. It reached 100 km/h in around 6 seconds. The RX 500h featured adaptive damping suspension, rear-wheel steering, and Active Sound Control for a more engaging driving experience. However, the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 11.3 L/100 km. The RX 350h, on the other hand, achieved 7.4 L/100 km, offering better efficiency and a more secure feel in curves.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover provided ample space in the first two rows, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. Front seats were comfortable, with available massage functions, and there was plenty of storage space. The second row offered generous legroom and power adjustments, while the optional third row was suitable for smaller passengers. Cargo space behind the third row was limited to 484 litres, but folding the seats expanded capacity to 1,153 litres, and up to 2,365 litres with the second row folded. The split tailgate facilitated loading, and air suspension height adjustment aided accessibility.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered comfortable seating with ten-way power-adjustable front seats in the RX 350h Luxury trim and eight-way power adjustment in the RX 500h F Sport Performance. The RX 350h featured premium leather, while the RX 500h had standard-grade leather. Rear legroom was good, but headroom was tight due to the battery placement and lower roofline. Cargo space increased to 838 litres behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the seats folded, surpassing the previous model but still slightly behind some competitors.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover featured a new 13-inch touchscreen with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, offering sharper graphics and quicker responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a wireless charging pad. The Meridian audio system provided excellent sound quality, with an optional 35-speaker upgrade. Other tech features included Amazon Alexa integration, remote automated parking, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription plans for full functionality. The Lexus Interface offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloud-based navigation, and an Intelligent Assistant. However, the system had some drawbacks, such as limited screen menu views and reflections. The available head-up display included dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which could be distracting, especially with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover came with standard driver assist and safety features, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and a surround-view camera system. While crash test results were unavailable, the Range Rover's safety features performed well during testing.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, and curve-speed reduction. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available. While some features worked well, others, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations. The driver monitoring system could be triggered by certain driving positions.