2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior, characterized by its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. This midsize SUV, nearly 5 metres in length, exuded a stately presence. In Canada, it came standard with 20-inch wheels, but the Prestige trim tester featured 22-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its elegant appearance. The rear design echoed the quad lamp look with four-part taillamps above the dual exhaust, and the hands-free liftgate maintained a boxy design. The matte Brunswick Green paint job added to its elegance, while the interior continued the dark green theme with quilted leather seats, complemented by metal and matte wood trim. The centre console featured three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes, and the two-spoke steering wheel stood out from other luxury manufacturers. The spacious and luxurious interior was slightly marred by the 14.5-inch infotainment screen, which seemed awkwardly placed atop the dash.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, tested in Santa Barbara, California, showcased a redesigned exterior that maintained the brand's signature look. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle, in Iridium silver with 21-inch alloy wheels, appeared identical to the standard RX 350, lacking any hybrid-specific badges. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, distinguished itself with a Copper paint job, blacked-out grille, and matte-black 21-inch wheels. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not considered gorgeous, with a blunt-nosed appearance and a wheelbase stretch that reduced rear overhang. Inside, the RX adopted a cleaner, minimalistic appearance with fewer controls and a new Lexus Interface infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had an all-black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. The RX 350h started at $63,436 in Canada, while the RX 500h began at $83,086.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came standard with all-wheel drive and offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, or a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Despite its power, the GV80 was not particularly quick, taking about 5.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h, slower than some competitors. It excelled in highway driving, with smooth power delivery and shifts, and an electronically controlled suspension that adjusted for road conditions. Active noise cancellation contributed to a quiet and smooth highway commute.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a more efficient powertrain with the RX 350h, which featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to average 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 100 km/h in about 6 seconds. However, it consumed 8.6 L/100 km in combined driving. The RX 500h featured an adaptive damping suspension, Dynamic Rear Steering, and Active Sound Control, enhancing its driving dynamics. The RX 350h averaged 7.4 L/100 km, while the RX 500h averaged 11.3 L/100 km, reflecting its performance-oriented nature.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with a host of luxury features. In Canada, it came standard with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard mirrors. The tester featured ventilated front and rear seats with adjustable settings and an Ergo driver’s seat with inflatable pockets for fatigue reduction. The Nappa leather seats were sumptuous, and a third row was available, though legroom was limited to 76 centimetres. The GV80 offered a tri-zone climate control system, a 21-speaker Lexicon sound system, a suede headliner, and a panoramic sunroof. It boasted one of the largest cargo spaces in its class, with 988 litres behind the second row and 2,378 litres with the seats folded. Towing capacity was 2,720 kilograms.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided comfort and efficiency, with the RX 350h Luxury trim offering ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and standard seat heating and ventilation. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable front seats with larger bolsters and standard-grade leather. The RX housed its battery packs under the rear seat, resulting in excellent leg support but tight rear headroom. A panoramic moonroof was standard on the RX 500h. The RX offered 838 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the seat folded, an improvement over the previous model but still less than some rivals.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, and the dial control was cumbersome, though it offered handwriting detection. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, though not wirelessly, and provided wireless charging, USB ports, and a 110-volt outlet. The GV80 also had remote smart parking assist, allowing the vehicle to park itself without the driver inside.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring a subscription for connected services after a trial period. The Lexus Interface offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloud-based navigation, and an Intelligent Assistant. The system had some limitations, such as only displaying one screen menu at a time and suffering from reflections. The RX also featured a head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, though these were problematic with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver’s aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. It featured Hyundai Motor Group’s Blind-Spot View Monitor, displaying a video feed of the blind spot in the digital gauge cluster. The GV80 also had Highway Drive Assist, which used various systems to provide hands-on/eyes-up driving aid. The NHTSA awarded the GV80 a full five-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it Good for crashworthiness and Superior for front crash prevention.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, and curve-speed reduction. It also included lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. The RX offered Proactive Driving Assist, which maintained a safe following distance and recharged the battery through regenerative braking. The RX also had a new Traffic Jam Assist system and Advanced Park technology, though the latter was not tested.