2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2023 Lexus RX

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, emphasizing clean and simple lines. Despite limited flashy options like Firenze Red paint and diamond-turned wheels, the test vehicle in Eiger Grey with silver wheels and a Black Exterior Pack exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim added to its sophisticated appeal. The Range Rover Sport featured premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, enhancing its sleek appearance. The interior boasted a high-tech look with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery, offering a luxurious experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX, built in Canada, presented a more compact and conservative design. It was shorter in height but broader and longer in wheelbase than its predecessor, with a floating roof effect and a spindle-style grille integrated into the design. The RX's exterior styling was familiar yet fresh, distinguishing it from the previous generation. Inside, the RX offered a modern interior with fewer buttons, digital instrumentation, and a choice of touchscreen displays. The quality was high, with options for NuLuxe artificial leather or genuine leather, and various trims like wood and aluminum. The RX was available in multiple trims, including hybrid options, with pricing starting at $58,650.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and driver engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid version offered 434 hp, while a 523-hp V8 was available in the sold-out SV Edition One. The Range Rover Sport excelled off-road with advanced suspension and Terrain Response systems, boasting a 90 cm wading depth and impressive ground clearance. On-road, it accelerated to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and offered a smooth ride, though it struggled with tight curves and dynamic driving.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. It provided a smooth ride with occasional torque steer and body motion. The F Sport 3 trim offered improved handling with an adaptive suspension. The RX 350 AWD accelerated to 100 km/h in about 7.3 seconds, feeling quicker than expected. Fuel economy was estimated at 9.9 L/100 km, with test results slightly higher. The RX's performance was satisfactory, though the engine lacked the refinement of the previous V6.

The Range Rover Sport maintained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier access, and the front seats were comfortable with Windsor leather and multiple adjustments. However, the rear seat was less accommodating, with limited legroom and narrow door openings. Cargo space was generous, with 903 litres available, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded.

The Lexus RX provided comfortable seating, with the F Sport 3 offering sportier bolsters. The RX 350 Executive featured premium leather and modern interior accents. The rear seat was roomy with good leg support, though headroom was tight for taller passengers. Cargo space improved over the previous model, with 838 litres available, expanding to 1,308 litres with the seats down.

The Range Rover Sport came with a 13.7-inch digital display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen with haptic feedback. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. However, the Pivi Pro system was often confusing and frustrating to use. The Meridian audio system and Active Noise Cancellation were highlights, but the digital assistant struggled with basic commands.

The Lexus RX featured the new Lexus Interface with a choice of touchscreen sizes, wireless connectivity, and connected services. The Intelligent Assistant responded well to voice commands, though it occasionally misinterpreted requests. The system allowed user profiles and music streaming, but lacked multi-panel viewing. The Mark Levinson sound system required adjustments for optimal performance, and the HUD had visibility issues with polarized sunglasses.

The Range Rover Sport included numerous safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. It also offered advanced systems like Remote Park Assist and adaptive cruise control, though the latter was slow to respond and the steering assist was unreliable.

The Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering features like lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring. New technologies included motorcycle detection and Traffic Jam Assist. The system performed well, though the HUD had visibility issues, and the curve-speed reduction technology was not predictive.