2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was a blend of subtlety and sportiness. In Santa Barbara, California, the RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch alloy wheels, appeared almost indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterpart, save for the badge on the liftgate. This understated approach was appreciated by those who prefer their hybrids without overt design cues. In contrast, the RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, embodying a 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 design with fewer controls and an improved infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury's interior featured luxurious Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a sportier, all-black interior with artificial suede and dark grey aluminum trim.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a true crossover, built on the TNGA-K platform, sharing its underpinnings with the Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry. It was larger than its competitors, with a length of 5,115 millimetres and a 2,950 mm wheelbase, offering a spacious interior. Its design was more conservative and blockier than the smaller Highlander, drawing inspiration from rugged vehicles like the 4Runner. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with the latter offering Portobello upholstery. Standard features included a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Grand Highlander excelled as a comfortable road-trip vehicle, with quality materials and seamless fit and finish, reflecting Toyota's reputation for reliability.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two distinct hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving a combined fuel economy of 6.5 L/100 km. It accelerated to 100 km/h in approximately 7.5 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with its turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in about 6 seconds. Despite its power, it consumed 8.6 L/100 km in combined driving. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering system enhanced its athleticism, making it a joy to drive. However, accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system, and real-world fuel economy fell short of estimates.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options. The 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine produced 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, while the 2.5-litre hybrid option delivered 245 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain generated 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. All powertrains came with AWD. The Grand Highlander prioritized comfort over sportiness, with solid brakes and adequate acceleration. It offered three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models. While Sport mode improved steering and throttle response, Normal mode was the preferred setting for most driving conditions.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior. The RX 350h Luxury model featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, standard seat heating and ventilation, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered eight-way power-adjustable front seats with larger side bolsters and standard heated and ventilated seats. The hybrids' battery packs were located under the rear seat, providing excellent leg support but limited headroom. Cargo space was generous, with 838 litres behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the back seat folded down.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander boasted impressive interior space, surpassing its rivals in size. With a length of over 5 metres and a 2,950 mm wheelbase, it offered ample cargo capacity, with 2,761 litres available. Behind the second-row seats, there were 1,640 litres, and with all three rows up, 583 litres remained. The Grand Highlander provided comfortable seating for adults in all rows, with good visibility and plenty of headroom, legroom, and shoulder room.

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

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering an intelligent assistant, cloud-based navigation, and live agent assistance through a subscription. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 11-speaker JBL stereo, standard on Limited and Platinum trims, provided excellent sound quality. While Toyota's tech had improved, careful consideration of subscription options was recommended.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came 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 and Traffic Jam Assist were also available. However, some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations. The driver monitoring system could be triggered by certain driving positions, and the Advanced Park system was not tested.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. The updated lane-departure alert could identify three-dimensional objects, reducing false warnings. Traffic jam assist and a head-up display were exclusive to the Platinum grade. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the Grand Highlander offered a comprehensive suite of safety features.