2022 Subaru Ascent vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Subaru Ascent, particularly in its new Onyx Edition trim, embraced the trend of blacking out exterior trim, offering a sporty appearance that was previously absent. This edition featured blacked-out exterior trim and badges, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. The seats were wrapped in water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather, which, while stylish, had a tendency to trap sweat, making ventilated seats a desirable feature. The interior boasted a gray two-tone scheme with metallic trim, providing a modern and appealing atmosphere. However, the StarTex material's lack of breathability was a notable drawback.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX maintained its modern and sporty design, with sharp character lines and angular features that were eye-catching without being excessive. The RX 350 F Sport model, in particular, stood out with its aggressive styling, including 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, and a unique front fascia. The interior of the RX continued this theme, offering luxury with a sporty twist in the F Sport models. However, the centre stack felt dated, and the NuLuxe seats were less comfortable than expected, lacking adequate lumbar support and requiring multiple adjustments to find a suitable driving position.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. The Ascent's fuel consumption was rated at 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres combined, with our testing averaging 11.5 L/100 km. The CVT was praised for its smooth operation, offering eight programmed ratios and manual shift control. The Ascent's towing capacity reached up to 2,270 kilograms, and its off-road capabilities were enhanced by Subaru's X-Mode traction control system. However, the lane-keeping and lane-centring assistance technologies were found to be less refined, leading to an uncertain driving experience.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h offered a combined output of 308 hp. All RX models came with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lack of confidence in acceleration and a less-than-pleasing engine note. The F Sport models included adaptive variable suspension and a Sport+ drive mode, but the differences between drive modes were minimal. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, providing a serene driving experience. Fuel consumption for the RX 350 was rated at 10.8 L/100 km combined, with the hybrid RX 450h achieving 7.9 L/100 km combined.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent offered seating for up to eight people, though the third row was best suited for children. The interior was designed for comfort, with features like triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a wiper de-icer. The Ascent provided ample storage, including a useful dashboard shelf and large cupholders. Cargo space was generous, with 458 litres behind the third row, 1,193 litres behind the second row, and a maximum of 2,061 litres with both rows folded down.

The 2022 Lexus RX, in its standard two-row configuration, provided 2,826 litres of passenger volume, comfortably accommodating four adults. The three-row L models offered limited space, with only 210 litres of cargo capacity with all seats upright. The RX's interior featured thoughtful design elements, such as a dedicated smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holders. However, the rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the load-in height was high due to the sporty bumper design.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system in its base trim, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. The Touring trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services. While the system was user-friendly, the voice recognition technology needed improvement. The Onyx Edition used standard stereo speakers, which lacked sonic quality, and the Harman Kardon premium sound system was not available for this trim.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available for higher trims. The infotainment system's positioning was ergonomically unfriendly, and the touchpad was hypersensitive and unintuitive. Despite these challenges, the RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus App provided additional connectivity options.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology. However, the system's performance was affected by direct sunlight, and its lack of refinement led to an unsettled driving experience. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights and reverse automatic braking.

The 2022 Lexus RX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a pre-collision system. The RX received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, but only with optional triple-beam LED headlights. The NHTSA awarded the RX four stars overall, with five stars in side crash tests. The RX's safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display.