Lexus RX vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2024 Lexus RX, following its recent redesign, presented a somewhat polarizing exterior. Its front end was characterized by a large trapezoidal grille, which, rather than being a separate design element, awkwardly began within the bodywork, especially noticeable in lighter colours. The hood's prominent bump added to the bulky appearance, contrasting with the sleeker designs of previous RX models. The sides featured bulging body panels, and a chrome accent strip attempted a floating-roof design, which seemed slightly out of place. However, the rear end was more cohesive, with a tidy design connecting the taillights with a single light strip. Inside, the RX offered a more conventional and inviting layout, with faux suede inserts in higher trims and a large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen. Despite some mismatched materials, the cabin was largely covered in premium leather and well-grained plastics, providing a sturdy and luxurious feel.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar look, with minor styling changes that made it resemble a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. The front end featured a thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo, and the previous grille insert was integrated into the bumper. The Bolt EUV body style returned, offering a tall and narrow stance that prioritized utility and interior space. The RS model added gloss black exterior trim for a slight visual enhancement. Inside, the Bolt underwent a more significant makeover, with a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was moved to the steering column, freeing up centre console space. While the cabin was dominated by hard plastics, the RS trim offered Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching. Despite its budget feel, the Bolt provided adequate comfort and storage options.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered four distinct models, starting with the base RX 350, powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all models came standard with all-wheel drive. The RX 350h hybrid featured a 2.5-litre engine with 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, using a continuously variable transmission. The RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo 2.4-litre inline-four with a hybrid powertrain, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission. The plug-in hybrid RX 450h+ offered 304 hp and an estimated 60 km of electric range. While the RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered, the RX 450h+ was more responsive, reaching 96 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The RX prioritized comfort with its soft suspension, resulting in noticeable body roll but a smooth ride over road imperfections.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and requiring fewer rare earth minerals. A motor from Chevy's Equinox EV provided 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, with a 0-100 km/h time in the low seven-second range. While not the fastest by EV standards, the Bolt was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs, with immediate pedal response. One-pedal driving was available, with medium or high brake regeneration settings. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and road noise was more noticeable due to the absence of an internal combustion engine. The Bolt's low centre of gravity contributed to its agility on curvy roads. On a full charge, it offered up to 422 km of range, with a Tesla-derived NACS charge port and increased charging speed from 55 kW to 150 kW, allowing a 10% to 80% recharge in 25 minutes.

The 2024 Lexus RX provided ample front seat space with power adjustments, standard heating and ventilation, and a comfortable design for long trips. A rubberized wireless charging pad, USB ports, and versatile cupholders enhanced convenience. 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, expandable to 1,308 litres with folded seatbacks, though the load floor was slightly taller than competitors.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants, though taller drivers might desire more steering wheel extension. The rear seats offered plenty of headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor for centre-seat passengers. The Bolt's cargo capacity was 459 litres, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional space. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, and ample storage options were available up front, including a large bin with dividers, a floor tray, and a deep centre armrest bin.

The 2024 Lexus RX's redesigned infotainment system featured a touchscreen, with a 9.8-inch display in lower trims and a 14-inch display in higher-end models. The system offered logical menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses, with natural speech commands for convenience. Steering wheel multi-function pads provided easy access to phone, music, and cruise control settings. A cloud-based navigation system was standard, though connectivity issues and subscription requirements might lead owners to prefer wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The available 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system offered excellent audio quality.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch centre touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, requiring Bluetooth pairing for personal music libraries. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and quick responses. The Bolt's navigation system helped locate charging stations and preconditioned the battery for optimal charging rates. Vehicle-to-load charging was available for backup power, though additional equipment was required.

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

Crash test results for the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt were not available, but it was expected to perform well based on the 2023 Bolt EUV. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, and a safety alert seat. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and more. GM's Super Cruise hands-free highway driving system was available for an additional cost.