2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its utilitarian roots, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a rugged, purpose-built vehicle, it had become a high-end SUV with a starting price of $92,000, which could soar to $250,000 with various upgrades. The test model, priced at $106,715, featured the HSE Westminster special-edition trim, showcasing a timeless design with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, the Range Rover exuded luxury with its Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX presented a modern and sporty design, especially with its F Sport trim, which added performance-oriented features and a more athletic appearance. The RX's exterior boasted sharp character lines and angular features, creating an eye-catching design. The interior maintained a luxury appeal, with the F Sport trim adding sporty elements like Scored Aluminum trim and NuLuxe synthetic leather. Despite its stylish design, the RX's center stack felt dated, and the seats lacked comfort, particularly in the F Sport model. The RX offered a limited-edition Black Line trim for those seeking high-end looks, featuring exclusive exterior and interior enhancements.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrain options, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid choices. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It came with a standard four-wheel drive system and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensuring off-road capability. The Range Rover provided a smooth and quiet ride, with an adaptive air suspension that absorbed road harshness. However, its steering was slow, and the vehicle's weight and tall center of gravity affected handling on winding roads. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the RX 450h hybrid added electric motors for a combined 308 hp. Despite its F Sport designation, the RX lacked sporty performance, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport Handling package included an adaptive variable suspension and additional drive modes, but changes in driving dynamics were minimal. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, offering a compliant ride. The RX 350 achieved an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h hybrid boasted 30 mpg combined.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. The cargo area offered 25 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2022 Lexus RX provided 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in its two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models offered limited space for anything beyond groceries. Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. The three-row version offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, increasing to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holder, but the cargo area had a high load-in height.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, requiring setup to avoid distractions while driving. The Range Rover included a head-up display, but it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The vehicle offered a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for additional convenience.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were positioned atop the center stack, creating access issues. The RX offered voice commands and a touchpad, but the latter was frustrating to use. The vehicle included six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start and vehicle settings customization.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, but the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System 2.0+ with adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional headlights but received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.