2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2024 Lexus TX

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the vehicle stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint colour and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Grey with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, created a high-tech and luxurious atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in various specifications, including Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One. The test vehicle, a U.S.-spec Dynamic SE, featured heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and other upgrades, pushing the MSRP beyond $120,000. Notable design elements included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.29.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, presented a more upscale appearance compared to its sibling. The TX's styling was toned down, resulting in a conservative look that might have appealed to those previously put off by Lexus's design language. The test model featured 22-inch silver wheels, enhancing its presence. The TX was available in TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid models, with prices ranging from $72,036 to $87,486, including destination charges and dealer fees. The TX 350, likely the volume-selling version, came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive. The Ultra Luxury package added premium features like upgraded ambient lighting and semi-aniline leather upholstery. The interior, while luxurious, felt dark due to the Peppercorn interior and black-grained trim, even with the panoramic glass sunroof. Despite this, the TX 350's interior was deemed luxurious enough to bear the Lexus badge.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and comfort with driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. The challenge lay in creating a vehicle capable of off-road prowess while remaining enjoyable on winding roads. The Range Rover Sport offered a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography model, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The sold-out SV Edition One featured a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine. A fully electric version was expected in 2024. The test vehicle's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, with a 0-100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, with a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was better than expected, averaging 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The Range Rover Sport's new architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35%, and its adaptive damping air suspension adjusted up to 500 times per second. However, it struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, with impressive ground clearance and advanced suspension technology.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. While the engine's note was grating, it performed adequately for typical driving situations with up to four passengers. Lexus claimed a 0-100 km/h time of around eight seconds, though the SUV felt quicker due to its torque delivery. The TX 350's official fuel economy rating was 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, but during testing, it averaged 13.8 L/100 km. The ride and handling were well-balanced, with a firm suspension providing road feedback while ensuring comfort. The steering was accurate and responsive, and the interior remained quiet on the highway. The brake pedal felt soft but was easy to modulate for smooth stops.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, benefiting shorter passengers. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. A massage feature, soft-closing doors, and a heated steering wheel were available. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings. The back seat provided excellent support but had a reclined angle. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. A full-size spare tire limited underfloor storage, but Land Rover provided a contraption to secure smaller items.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. The TX 350 test unit featured premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel were standard in Canada. The second-row bench seat was comfortable, though captain's chairs were available. The third-row seat accommodated adults, offering better space than previous models. Sliding the second-row seat forward improved third-row comfort but compromised second-row legroom. The TX provided ample storage options, though some lacked lining. Cargo space measured 572 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,625 litres with the third row folded and 2,746 litres with the second row down.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and connected services. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use. The digital assistant struggled with basic commands, such as finding a nearby Starbucks. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and an Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was included but difficult to access.

The 2024 Lexus TX came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a digital rearview mirror. The Executive packages added a head-up display, surround-view camera, and semi-autonomous parking assist. The head-up display's unmarked steering wheel controls were distracting, especially for those wearing polarized sunglasses. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured a 14-inch touchscreen display and a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with seamless connectivity. The TX offered free 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect, and a three-year Remote Connect subscription. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided impressive sound quality.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist allowed the SUV to park itself using a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control was slow to respond, and the steering assist technology was unsatisfactory, especially on highway curves.

The 2024 Lexus TX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control with curve speed adjustment, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, intersection assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, road sign assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Proactive Drive Assist provided braking and steering assistance but was not transparent in its operation. The TX also offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. The traffic jam assist system worked well at low speeds but lacked a higher-speed hands-free driving assist system. Overall, LSS+ 3.0 was smooth and effective, though it slowed too dramatically when other vehicles cut in.