Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Lexus RX 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, reflecting its performance-oriented nature. 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, offering an option for Rioja Red upholstery for those seeking a splash of colour.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, while functional, was criticized for its over-styled exterior, with exaggerated forms and a lack of elegance. The interior followed suit with oversized elements like large air vents and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, creating a visually overwhelming experience. The mismatched textures and tones, along with reflections from the display, added to the visual clutter. Despite these design choices, the Highlander Hybrid was quiet on the road, though the quality of materials and construction left much to be desired, with flimsy components and unlined storage areas detracting from the overall 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 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to average 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving, though real-world testing showed 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 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 100 km/h in about 6 seconds but consumed 11.3 L/100 km in testing, higher than the estimated 8.6 L/100 km. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering provided a dynamic driving experience, though accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing 243 hp. It offered standard AWD and a Predictive Efficient Drive system to optimize fuel economy, though it averaged 8.2 L/100 km, higher than the expected 6.7 L/100 km. The Highlander Hybrid's performance was lacklustre, with limited high-speed passing power and brake fade during mountain driving. It featured Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, but the driving experience was uninspiring, with soft suspension and a droning CVT. The Highlander Hybrid was best suited for city and suburban driving, offering a quiet ride but lacking engagement.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior, with the RX 350h Luxury model offering ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard heated and ventilated front seats. The hybrids' battery packs were located under the rear seat, providing good leg support but limited headroom. Cargo space was improved, with 838 litres behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the seats folded, matching the standard RX 350.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered seating for seven or eight, with most models featuring second-row captain's chairs. The interior included three-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, with the Platinum package adding a heated steering wheel and heated second-row seats. The third-row seat was cramped and best suited for occasional use. The Highlander Hybrid had a useful dashboard shelf and rubber-lined cupholders, but storage areas were unlined, and the centre armrest storage console was unnecessarily complex. Cargo space was 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the third row folded and 2,387 litres with the second row down.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured a new infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services required a subscription after the trial period, with Drive Connect offering cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. The system had some usability issues, including limited screen views and reflections. The available head-up display had dual-function touch-sensing control pads, which were problematic with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, with upper trims featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment systems. The Limited trim had a 12.3-inch touchscreen with over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and several connected service plans. Drive Connect offered an Intelligent Assistant and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and a JBL sound system, though the graphics could be improved for better visibility.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. New features included motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist helped maintain safe distances, though some features had usability issues, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with Limited and Platinum trims adding parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The ADAS performed well in most situations, though it struggled with certain road conditions. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.