Lexus RX Hybrid vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was a blend of subtlety and sportiness. The RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch alloy wheels, maintained a low profile, lacking any overt hybrid identifiers. In contrast, the RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, embodying a more performance-oriented aesthetic. Inside, the RX offered a minimalist design with a modern infotainment system, ambient lighting, and luxurious materials like Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim in the RX 350h. The RX 500h featured a sportier interior with artificial suede and dark grey aluminum trim, with options for a splash of colour through Rioja Red upholstery.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, redesigned in 2019, showcased a robust and angular exterior, borrowing elements from Toyota's truck line. Its trapezoidal grille and beveled bodywork gave it a substantial presence, which had become more common among competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid featured a multi-tiered dashboard with practical controls and a mix of materials, including some hard plastics. While the base model had a more utilitarian feel with a urethane steering wheel, higher trims offered leather-wrapped options. The build quality was solid, with no noticeable creaks or squeaks, providing a reliable and comfortable driving experience.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two distinct hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system, producing 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to achieve 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving, though real-world tests averaged 7.4 L/100 km. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, on the other hand, boasted a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, delivering 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 100 km/h in about 6 seconds but consumed 11.3 L/100 km in combined driving during testing, despite an estimated 8.6 L/100 km. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering enhanced its dynamic performance, making it a thrilling drive.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor/generator, producing 219 horsepower. It accelerated to 100 km/h in approximately 7.5 seconds, making it quicker than the standard RAV4. The hybrid system included regenerative braking, which seamlessly transitioned to physical brakes during aggressive stops. The RAV4 Hybrid's suspension provided a smooth ride over bumps and confident cornering, though it wasn't particularly sporty. It excelled in delivering a calm and effortless driving experience, comparable to its rivals in the compact hybrid SUV class.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a comfortable and luxurious interior. The RX 350h Luxury trim featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters. The hybrids' battery packs were housed under the rear seat, providing excellent leg support but slightly compromising rear headroom. Cargo space was generous, with 838 litres behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the seats folded down, matching the standard RX 350.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid provided ample space for passengers and cargo. The front seats accommodated larger passengers, while the rear seats offered sufficient space for average-sized adults. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 1,059 litres available behind the rear seats, only slightly less than the non-hybrid RAV4. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, though shorter owners might find it challenging to reach them. Interior storage was a highlight, with a wide dashboard shelf, large cupholders, and a spacious centre armrest bin.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, to fully utilize its features, a subscription to connected services was required after the trial period. The system included a cloud-based navigation system and an Intelligent Assistant, though it occasionally provided inaccurate results. The touchscreen display was large but suffered from reflections and lacked a tuning knob. The available head-up display had dual-function touch-sensing control pads, which could be challenging to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured a new multimedia infotainment system with modern graphics and logical menu arrangements. Most trims came with an 8.0-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an optional wireless charging pad. The system supported over-the-air updates and included a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims offered a fully digital instrument panel and an 11-speaker JBL audio system, enhancing the overall audio experience.

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 was also available, maintaining safe distances and recharging the battery through regenerative braking. However, some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, though these were not tested.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, including features like forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a digital rearview mirror. The safety systems functioned smoothly, with no false alarms during testing.