2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a more affordable option in the electrified SUV market with its EX-L Hybrid trim priced at $48,909, including destination and other fees. Its exterior featured sporty black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim, though the interior remained basic. The Touring Hybrid, priced at $50,909, was the top-tier model, showcasing a Canyon River Blue paint job. The CR-V's design was conservative, with a technical front resembling an angry robot, and it carried visual weight over its front wheels. The rear quarter view was its best angle, with Volvo-like taillights and a tidy design. Inside, the Touring model offered leather seats with orange stitching and a sophisticated cabin feel, thanks to quality materials and thoughtful details like a soft-touch dashboard and metal mesh air vent covers.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was a $90,000 SUV with nearly every available feature. Its Incognito paint and orange brake calipers added unique touches, but the overall design was unremarkable, with a large front grille and dramatic rear haunches. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering different power and efficiency levels. The RX 500h stood out with 366 hp and a sport-tuned suspension, but its design was more about sporty appearance than dynamic capability. Inside, the RX offered a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting, though some controls were ergonomically challenging. The RX's interior was spacious, with comfortable rear seats and ample storage, but the cargo space was limited for a midsize SUV.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to all four wheels, providing a smooth and transparent driving experience. However, the CR-V Hybrid's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, achieving 8.7 L/100 km on a mountainous test loop compared to the estimated 6.4 L/100 km. Despite this, the CR-V Hybrid offered a quiet ride, predictable handling, and impressive grip, though the steering effort was unusually heavy.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying performance levels. The RX 350h was the most efficient, with 246 hp and 6.5 L/100 km combined fuel economy. The RX 450h+ PHEV provided 304 hp and a 6.5-second 0-100 km/h time, while the RX 500h delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 6.2 seconds to 100 km/h. The RX 500h featured a sport-tuned suspension, 21-inch wheels, and a sophisticated AWD system, but its fuel economy was disappointing at 13.5 L/100 km. The RX 500h's drivetrain offered plenty of power and quick acceleration, but it lacked dynamic communication, making it more about straight-line performance than overall driving satisfaction.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, offering quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seating. The driver's seat was power-adjustable, providing excellent support, while the rear seats were spacious and comfortable for adults. The CR-V Hybrid's cargo area offered 1,028 litres of space, expanding to 2,030 litres with the rear seats folded, making it one of the most commodious in its class.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats were snug with enhanced bolstering, but the rear seats were comfortable and spacious. The RX offered 838 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,308 litres with the rear seats folded. However, the cargo area was limited for a midsize SUV, and the rear centre armrest storage compartment lacked a lining, potentially causing noise and vibration.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came equipped with a 9-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was basic, and the walk-away automatic locking feature provided peace of mind.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid was packed with high-tech features, including digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a 14-inch touchscreen display. The Lexus Interface infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a cloud-based navigation system. However, the steering wheel controls were distracting and challenging to use while driving.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The CR-V earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS but received a poor rating in the updated moderate overlap front test.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid included Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The RX also offered Proactive Driving Assist and a surround-view camera. The RX received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA but a poor rating from the IIHS in the moderate overlap frontal-impact test.