2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid retained the same design as the previous year, featuring Honda's two-motor hybrid powertrain. This model included "Hybrid" badges, blue Honda logos, sophisticated LED fog lights, and a unique rear bumper. Inside, it had distinct trim and instrumentation to display battery-charge status, power regeneration, and power distribution. The steering wheel paddles managed the regenerative braking system. Available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all models came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Pricing ranged from $30,560 to $36,350, with the Touring trim offering additional features like larger wheels, navigation, and a premium sound system. The test vehicle, a Touring trim, cost $37,920 and featured Platinum White Pearl paint and ivory leather interior, though it suffered from fake wood trim.

The 2022 Lexus RX, available in base 350, F Sport, and L trims, continued its modern and sporty design from the 2020 facelift. The RX 350 and F Sport seated five, while the L trim offered a three-row, 7-passenger option. The RX's aggressive styling, with sharp character lines and angular features, stood out among competitors. The F Sport trim added performance-oriented features like 20-inch wheels, black-housing mirrors, and unique front and rear bumpers. Inside, the RX offered luxury with nearly a dozen color combinations, while the F Sport trim added sporty elements like Scored Aluminum trim and NuLuxe synthetic leather. Despite its dated center stack, the RX provided a high-quality feel with soft-touch surfaces and premium materials.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a 2.0-liter gasoline engine paired with an electric assist motor, producing a total of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most appropriate one. Additionally, three driver-selected modes—Econ, Sport, and EV—were available. The CR-V Hybrid's added weight from the battery pack and electric motors improved weight distribution and maintained 8.2 inches of ground clearance. It delivered a smooth and enjoyable driving experience, though it fell short of its EPA rating of 38 mpg, achieving only 33.7 mpg on the testing route.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h added two electric motors for a combined output of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with AWD standard on the hybrid. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport trim added performance dampers, an adaptive variable suspension, and a Sport+ drive mode, but the driving experience remained largely unchanged. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives. The RX 350 returned 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered impressive interior space and comfort. The front seats provided excellent support and 12-way power adjustment, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seat room was remarkable, with ample legroom and comfort for adults. The CR-V Hybrid's cargo space was slightly reduced due to the battery pack, offering 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Despite this, it remained practical for carrying people and cargo.

The 2022 Lexus RX provided 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the two-row model, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L model offered limited space for anything beyond groceries. The RX's cargo space varied, with 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row in the standard model and up to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down in the L model. The rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the high load-in height made loading cargo challenging. However, the RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a dedicated smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, felt outdated despite its large, flush surface and seven-inch touchscreen. The lack of a tuning knob and slow startup time detracted from the user experience. Voice-recognition technology was limited, and the navigation map display was cluttered. The Touring trim's nine-speaker premium audio system sounded good, but the wireless smartphone charger seemed like an afterthought.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the touchscreen's positioning created access issues. The touchpad controller was frustrating to use, and the drive mode selector's placement added to the confusion. However, the RX featured a long list of quality tech, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App provided additional personalization and connectivity options.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was also included. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.