2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was a blend of subtlety and sportiness. The RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch alloy wheels, maintained a low profile, lacking any overt hybrid identifiers. In contrast, the RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, embodying a more performance-oriented aesthetic. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not universally praised, with its front-heavy appearance and signature rear roof pillar design making it look smaller than its predecessor. Inside, the RX embraced a minimalist approach, featuring a new infotainment system and contemporary textures, with the RX 350h Luxury offering luxurious Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance opted for a darker, sportier interior.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, while practical and offering great value, appeared somewhat outdated compared to newer crossovers. Its design, reminiscent of "dad jeans," was functional but lacked modern flair. The Santa Fe's grille and headlights were handsome, yet its overall silhouette was considered too soft for a modern SUV. The vehicle's size, caught between compact and three-row crossovers, contributed to its less stylish proportions. At the rear, the Santa Fe maintained a simple design with a high-mounted window and a discreet "Hybrid" badge. Inside, the Santa Fe prioritized practicality over style, with a massive centre console filled with physical controls, making it easy to use but not particularly modern.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two distinct hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system, producing 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to achieve 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving, though real-world tests averaged 7.4 L/100 km. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, on the other hand, boasted a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. It was designed for performance, with a six-speed automatic transmission and Direct4 AWD system, but its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 11.3 L/100 km during testing. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering enhanced its dynamic capabilities, making it a thrilling drive.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid combined a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 44.2-kW electric motor, producing 226 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It offered impressive fuel economy, with estimates of 7.1 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 7.4 combined. The Santa Fe Hybrid's power was managed by a six-speed automatic transmission, and its HTRAC AWD system provided flexibility in power distribution, enhancing its capability in challenging conditions. While not the quickest, the Santa Fe Hybrid was more powerful than its non-hybrid counterparts and offered better fuel efficiency. Its noise insulation and compliant suspension contributed to a quiet and comfortable ride, though its handling and braking were more focused on comfort than agility.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid prioritized comfort and practicality. The RX 350h Luxury trim featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, standard seat heating and ventilation, and a three-zone automatic climate control system. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrids' battery packs were located under the rear seat, providing excellent leg support and good legroom, though rear headroom was tight. 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 slightly less than some competitors.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid featured a shift-by-wire, push-button transmission, freeing up space below the centre stack. The centre stack itself was massive, filled with well-labeled physical controls for easy access to climate and drive mode settings. Rear passengers enjoyed a panoramic sunroof, manual sunshades, and 1,035 millimetres of legroom, comparable to other large two-row SUVs. The Santa Fe Hybrid offered 1,032 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 2,041 litres with the seats folded, with no cargo-space penalty compared to its non-hybrid counterpart. Up front, the Santa Fe Hybrid included heated and ventilated front seats with leatherette upholstery and an eight-way power driver's seat.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, a significant upgrade that required a subscription for full functionality. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and included features like Service Connect, Wi-Fi Connect, and Drive Connect, with a cloud-based navigation system and Intelligent Assistant. However, the system had some drawbacks, including limited screen functionality, reflections, and a lack of a tuning knob. The available head-up display featured dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which could be distracting, especially when wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid came standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen with onboard navigation, Bluetooth, OTA map updates, and dynamic voice recognition. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though both required a wired connection. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provided a clear view of essential driving information. While the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was not available in Canada, the Santa Fe Hybrid's infotainment system remained user-friendly and up-to-date.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driver assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist was also included, helping to maintain safe distances and recharge the battery through regenerative braking. While the system generally operated with refinement, some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, though these were not tested.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized safety with features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, and blind-spot collision avoidance. While the surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor were not available in Canada, the Santa Fe Hybrid still offered comprehensive safety equipment. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, highlighting its commitment to passenger safety.