2021 Lexus RX vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV was designed to blend seamlessly with its non-hybrid counterparts. Aside from a subtle “P400e” badge on the tailgate, it featured no gratuitous styling changes or aerodynamic tweaks. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, making it nearly invisible unless pointed out. This approach underscored Land Rover's commitment to maintaining the vehicle's aesthetic appeal, even with the added complexity of a hybrid powertrain.

The test vehicle, priced at $93,200 with options, boasted a striking Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its inherent good looks. Inside, the cabin was adorned with high-quality materials, reflecting the vehicle's premium price tag. However, the narrow, adjustable inboard armrests were less comfortable than the padded center console armrest, and the raised cargo floor due to the battery placement compromised cargo space.

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased the brand's modern design aesthetic with its large grille, angular headlamps, and floating roof. The interior featured sumptuous seating and perforated leather upholstery, though the center console design was considered bland. Lexus offered the RX in five variants, including the performance-focused RX F Sport and the extended-body RXL with a third row of seating.

The RX retained the body changes introduced in 2020, including elongated headlights and a redesigned front end. Standard features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass. Optional upgrades included 20-inch wheels, triple-beam LED headlights, and a windshield wiper de-icer. The F Sport Appearance package added unique styling elements and performance dampers. Inside, the RX offered a range of comfort features, from standard NuLuxe-trimmed seats to available semi-aniline leather upholstery and heated second-row seats.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Land Rover claimed an all-electric driving range of up to 31 miles, but the test vehicle struggled to achieve this, often defaulting to hybrid mode. The SUV averaged 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, a notable improvement over previous models but still less efficient than the new turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine.

The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration and a comfortable ride, thanks to its adaptive air suspension and various driving modes. However, the regenerative brakes were grabby, making smooth stops difficult. The SUV retained its off-roading capability, with multiple traction settings and the ability to ford 33.4 inches of water. Recharging the battery took up to 14 hours using a standard household outlet, but the battery often failed to reach full capacity overnight.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid models combined a 3.5-liter V6 with three electric motors, producing 308 horsepower and managed by an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). The RX Hybrid achieved up to 31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The RX's suspension and handling adjustments made it more dynamic, with AWD models feeling planted in corners despite some body roll at higher speeds. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive variable suspension and other performance features. The RX accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.7 to 7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain, with a top speed limited to 124 mph for non-hybrid models and 112 mph for hybrids.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV's higher price tag came with a compromise in cargo space due to the battery placement beneath the raised cargo floor, reducing the already tight 27.5-cubic-foot space. The SUV comfortably seated five, with excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear-seat passengers. The test vehicle featured 4-zone automatic climate control and a panoramic glass roof, enhancing the interior experience.

The 2021 Lexus RX offered a functional and spacious interior, seating five in the two-row models and up to seven in the three-row RXL variants. Front and second-row seats provided ample space, while the third row was tight. The RX's cargo space was limited compared to traditional SUVs, with 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row RXL offered 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, which could be challenging to use despite an hour spent setting it up. The system occasionally behaved unexpectedly, and the lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen added to the frustration. While the SUV's technology was advanced, it could be overwhelming for technophobes.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hot spot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The touchpad controller for the infotainment system was less refined than competitors, and the RX lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and a new steering-assist system. However, the SUV's head-toss effect and abrupt lane-keeping assist system could be distracting. The Range Rover Sport had not been crash-tested by major safety organizations, but its nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security in collisions.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation and scored well in crashworthiness tests. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, blind-spot monitoring, and Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which offered a suite of driver-assist technologies. The RX lacked the hands-off piloting features found in some competitors but provided a comprehensive safety package.