2024 Lexus RX vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, or 40 ASE, was based on the SR5 trim level and added $3,330 to its price. This special edition featured retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and unique badges, among other details. It was available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $51,050 to $66,220, plus a $1,930 destination charge. The 40 ASE had a nostalgic appeal with its 1970s-inspired design elements and truck-based SUV stance. Inside, the 4Runner was practical, with solid materials and easy-to-use controls, even when wearing gloves.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus RX, following a redesign, presented a mixed bag in terms of styling. Its front end was dominated by an oversized trapezoidal grille, which appeared awkward, especially in lighter colours. The hood's design added to the bulky appearance, while the sides featured bulging body panels. The rear end, however, had a more cohesive design with a single light strip connecting the taillights. Inside, the RX offered a more conventional layout with faux suede inserts in higher-priced packages, a large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a wide centre console. While the simulated woodgrain on the console felt less convincing, the rest of the cabin was covered in premium materials.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and had a fuel economy rating of 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, with features like Active Traction Control, a locking rear differential, and Multi-Terrain Select. However, its on-road performance was less impressive, with leisurely acceleration, heavy steering, and a brake pedal that lacked finesse. Despite its flaws, the 4Runner was a capable off-roader, providing a sense of invincibility.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered four models, starting with the RX 350, powered by a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The RX 350h hybrid had a 2.5-litre engine with 246 horsepower, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo 2.4-litre engine with a hybrid powertrain for 366 horsepower. The RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid offered 304 horsepower and an electric range of up to 60 kilometres. While the RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered, the RX 450h+ was more responsive. The RX prioritized comfort over sporty driving, with a soft suspension that smoothed over road imperfections but resulted in noticeable body roll.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique rear window that powered down into the tailgate, providing excellent ventilation. While climbing in and out required effort for shorter individuals, the seats were comfortable. The 4Runner offered dual-zone climate control and ample storage, though some lacked rubber liners. The second-row seating was spacious, with good legroom and USB ports. A third-row seat was available but compromised cargo space. The cargo area offered 1,337 litres of space with the standard five-passenger seating, and the tailgate doubled as a seat.

The 2024 Lexus RX provided ample room for larger occupants in the front seats, with standard heating and ventilation. A wireless charging pad and additional USB ports were included, along with spacious cupholders and a deep storage bin. The rear seats offered good legroom and visibility, with standard rear climate controls and USB ports. The RX had 838 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,308 litres with the second-row seatbacks folded. The load floor was slightly taller than competitors, requiring more effort for loading.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The system was user-friendly, with real knobs and buttons, and offered optional upgrades like a navigation system and JBL premium sound. Voice recognition performed well, though it had limitations with certain commands.

The 2024 Lexus RX, following its redesign, offered a more conventional infotainment system with a touchscreen measuring 9.8 inches or 14 inches, depending on the model. The system featured sharp graphics, quick responses, and natural speech commands. The steering wheel had multi-function pads, and all RX trims included a cloud-based navigation system, though connectivity issues were noted. The available 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. However, the 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with lower ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance. IIHS rated it Marginal for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2024 Lexus RX earned five stars in overall and side collision protection from NHTSA, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick, despite a Poor rating in the moderate frontal overlap test. The RX included Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Some features were overly sensitive, but they functioned as intended.