2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E retained its distinctive and sharp styling, with an aggressive front fascia and a sloping profile that maintained its crossover proportions. The tri-bar tail lights, a hallmark of the Mustang nameplate, were refreshed to match the signature lighting of the seventh-generation Ford Mustang. The new Rally trim emerged as the top-of-the-line model, featuring unique styling cues such as LED fog lamps integrated into its grille, a black roof, and Oxford White 19-inch wheels. The interior of the Mach-E continued to offer a minimalist design with a large touchscreen and Ford Performance front seats, which were standard on the GT trim and carried over to the Rally trim.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, presented a more understated appearance despite its exclusive Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering different power outputs and fuel efficiencies. The RX 500h stood out with its turbocharged engine and sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension. Inside, the RX Hybrid provided a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting, although some ergonomic issues were noted with the controls. The RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space, with features like a panoramic sunroof and power-reclining rear seats.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E was known for its sporty ride quality, with a firm suspension that prioritized a sports-car-first approach. The GT trim featured a MagneRide damping system, enhancing drive mode adjustments, and offered a Performance Upgrade package that increased torque output to 700 lb-ft, maintaining 480 horsepower. This translated to impressive acceleration figures, with a zero-to-96-km/h time of 3.3 seconds. The Mach-E GT and Rally trims came with all-wheel drive, while the Select and Premium trims benefited from a new, lighter-weight rear eMotor, improving torque and range. The Mach-E's range varied from 402 kilometres for the base model to 515 kilometres for the Premium trim with an extended-range battery.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains, with the RX 350h being the least powerful but most efficient, delivering 246 hp. The RX 450h+ PHEV provided 304 hp and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds, while the RX 500h boasted 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The RX 500h featured a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension and Lexus's Direct4 AWD system, enhancing its performance capabilities. However, the RX 500h's fuel efficiency was less impressive, averaging 13.5 L/100 km during testing. The RX 500h excelled in straight-line acceleration but lacked dynamic communication, making it more about sporty appearance than overall driving satisfaction.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E excelled in interior space, offering 965 litres of cargo space, with 841 litres behind the rear seats and a drainable frunk. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo space to 1,690 litres. The Mach-E provided ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers, with power-adjustable seats and ActiveX seating surfaces standard across trims. Heated front seats were available on the base trim and standard on higher trims.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats were snug due to enhanced bolstering, and the rear seats offered ample room for adults. The RX Hybrid provided 838 litres of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small storage space under the load floor. Folding down the second row created 1,308 litres of cargo volume. The RX Hybrid featured a panoramic sunroof and optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated rear seats.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, featuring the latest version 4A of Ford’s SYNC infotainment software. The system operated through a 15.5-inch touchscreen, with climate controls anchored at the bottom. Ford’s Intelligent Range system provided real-time range updates, considering factors like temperature and terrain. The Mach-E also offered access to Tesla Supercharger stations with a Ford-supplied adapter.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid was equipped with high-tech features, including digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The RX 500h featured a 14-inch touchscreen display with the Lexus Interface infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included a conversational digital voice assistant and cloud-based navigation. However, the steering wheel controls were distracting and challenging to use while driving.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered BlueCruise 1.3, a hands-free highway-driving assist software, available on all trims. The Mach-E also featured a 360-degree camera and the Ford CoPilot 360 suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies. The 2023 Mach-E earned a Top Safety Pick Award from the IIHS, and the 2024 model received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in side crash and rollover testing.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid included Safety Connect, providing automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 offered advanced driver assistance systems, including forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The RX Hybrid also featured Proactive Driving Assist and a surround-view camera. The RX received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it Poor in the moderate overlap frontal-impact test.