2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was designed to project a sportier image within the Range Rover lineup. Its tall stance was complemented by a shorter wheelbase and a chopped top, giving it a more athletic look compared to the traditional Range Rover. The large front air intakes and faux vents on the hood and fenders added to its sporty appearance, although from certain angles, it appeared somewhat tall and narrow. The SV Edition Two, the highest-performance model, featured unique elements like 23-inch carbon-fibre wheels and a carbon-fibre hood with an exposed patch. Inside, the SV Edition Two boasted red leather upholstery, sport seats with illuminated inserts, and a minimalist dashboard interrupted only by a touchscreen and a few essential controls. Despite its sporty mission, the high console and dash created a cockpit-like feel, which some might find cramped.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was less about visual drama and more about subtle luxury. Its Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers were among the few standout features. The RX's design was generally unremarkable, with a large front grille and a dramatic rear haunch swell. Inside, the RX offered a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting. The controls ranged from baffling to brilliant, but Lexus avoided the common single curved display approach, maintaining a unique interior aesthetic. The RX Hybrid models provided a range of choices, with the RX 500h offering the most power and sportiness, albeit with less fuel efficiency.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a variety of powertrains, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The base Dynamic SE model featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid variant based on this engine delivered 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The Autobiography trim could be equipped with a more powerful plug-in hybrid system, generating 543 hp and 590 lb-ft. Additionally, a BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 was available, producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. The SV Edition Two pushed this V8 to 626 hp, making it the most powerful Range Rover model. It could accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 290 km/h. The Range Rover Sport excelled in both on-road performance and off-road capability, thanks to its sport-tuned air suspension, four-wheel steering, and Terrain Response system.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid lineup included the RX 350h, RX 450h+, and RX 500h models. The RX 350h was the most efficient, with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. The RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid offered 304 hp and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds. The RX 500h featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and produced 366 hp and 406 lb-ft. It accelerated to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds but had higher fuel consumption. The RX 500h boasted a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, Direct4 AWD system, and performance brakes. While it offered quick acceleration and a pleasant sound, its fuel efficiency was lacking, and the drivetrain occasionally hesitated. The RX 500h excelled in straight-line performance but lacked dynamic communication and satisfaction on twisty roads.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was positioned between the Range Rover Velar and the full-size Range Rover, offering a midsize two-row configuration. It provided ample headroom for front-seat occupants, although legroom was slightly less than some competitors. The sloping roofline did not significantly impact rear-seat headroom, and reclining rear seats were standard. The Sport offered 835 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 1,860 litres with the seats folded. While it lacked a split tailgate, power operation and an "access height" setting made loading easier. The Sport's towing capacity was impressive, with turbo-six and V8 models capable of towing up to 3,500 kilograms.

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 automatic climate system's fan was loud. A panoramic sunroof extended over the rear seat, and power-reclining, heated, and ventilated rear seats were available. The RX provided ample rear-seat space for adults. Interior storage was practical, but the rear centre armrest lacked lining. The RX Hybrid offered 838 litres of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small storage area under the load floor. Folding the second row created 1,308 litres of cargo volume, which was modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard. The minimalist design had functional limitations, as many controls required touchscreen interaction. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, and natural-language voice recognition was improved. The SV Edition Two included "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers, providing a unique but somewhat gimmicky experience. The Meridian audio system offered up to 29 speakers, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid was equipped with advanced technology, 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 a modern Lexus Interface infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system offered a conversational digital voice assistant and cloud-based navigation. However, the steering wheel controls were distracting and challenging to use. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided excellent sound quality, but the steering wheel controls were frustrating for volume adjustments.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, although parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Safety Connect, providing automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, and roadside assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist monitored forward progress and used braking or steering input to maintain safe distances. The RX Hybrid earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it poorly in a moderate overlap frontal-impact test.