2022 Porsche Macan vs 2021 Lexus RX

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased the brand's modern design aesthetic with its large grille, angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof. Inside, it featured sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, though the center console design was considered bland and dated. Lexus offered the RX in five variants, including the base RX and RX Hybrid, the performance-focused RX F Sport, and the extended-body RXL and RXL Hybrid with a third row of seating. The exterior boasted standard 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass, with available upgrades like 20-inch wheels and triple-beam LED headlights. The F Sport Appearance package added unique styling elements and performance dampers.

The interior of the RX was well-appointed, even in the base model, with features like NuLuxe-trimmed seats, power-adjustable front seats, and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Higher trims offered semi-aniline leather upholstery, sport seats, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the center console's design and the infotainment system's functionality were points of contention, with the latter being functional but dated compared to competitors' more modern setups.

Porsche introduced the Macan in 2015, and by 2022, it had undergone several updates while maintaining its original design. The 2022 Macan received a styling refresh, larger standard wheels, and a new center console with haptic touch controls. The lineup included the base Macan, Macan S, and Macan GTS, with the latter two models inheriting more powerful engines from previous versions. Our test vehicle, a Macan S, featured Volcano Gray paint and 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, exuding a taut, athletic look.

Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsche models with its ignition switch to the left of the steering wheel, large tachometer, and flat, wide dashboard. The test vehicle's red leather, gloss black interior trim, and silver metallic accents created an upscale, sporty, and purposeful appearance. The new center console design offered more storage space, but the touch-sensing controls required looking away from the road, and the surface created glare during the day.

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 front-wheel-drive RX 350 was the most fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. The RX Hybrid models, with a 3.5-liter V6 and three electric motors, produced 308 hp and achieved up to 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The RX's suspension and handling were improved for 2020, making it more dynamic, though body roll was noticeable at higher speeds. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive variable suspension and other performance features. The RX's top speed was limited to 124 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 to 7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of engines, starting with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the base model, producing 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Macan GTS featured a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 with 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Macan S, our test vehicle, had a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 with 375 hp and 383 lb-ft, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans had a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable all-wheel-drive system. The Macan S also featured larger 20-inch wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Management, and optional performance upgrades like Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and Porsche Surface Coated Brakes. The Macan S delivered a thrilling driving experience with precise handling and strong braking performance, though its fuel economy was 18.1 mpg, close to the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Lexus RX was a highly functional SUV, seating five in the two-row RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h, and six or seven in the three-row RXL and RXL Hybrid. Front-seat occupants enjoyed ample space, while the second row was comfortable for adults. The third row in the RXL models was tight for any age. Cargo space in the two-row RX was 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row versions 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 2022 Porsche Macan provided a comfortable experience for the driver and front-seat passenger, especially with the optional Premium Package's 14-way power-adjustable seats. The rear seats were cramped, particularly for taller passengers, but entry and exit were easy, and the seats were supportive. The new steering wheel design, modeled after the 911 sports car, felt thin and uncomfortable after extended driving. The redesigned center console with haptic touch controls looked advanced but required looking away from the road to use. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hotspot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, a moonroof, a panoramic roof, wireless charging, navigation, a 12-speaker audio system, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The infotainment system's touchpad controller was functional but took up valuable center console space and was not as refined as competitors' systems. The RX lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2022 Porsche Macan featured a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Porsche Communication Management (PCM), with wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with optional upgrades to a Bose premium surround-sound system or a high-end Burmester audio system. The user experience was generally intuitive, though the voice recognition system was less accurate than competitors. The Macan had separate controls for frequently adjusted features like stereo volume and climate control, reducing the need to interact with the touchscreen while driving.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, scoring Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The RXL and RXL Hybrid's longer body might impact crashworthiness, but they were not tested by IIHS. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall and five stars for side-impact crashworthiness. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, blind-spot monitoring, and Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and road sign assist. The RX lacked more advanced hands-off piloting technology found in some competitors.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a reversing camera. Blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist were optional, with blind-spot monitoring included in the Premium Package of our test vehicle. The safety technologies performed as expected, but the Macan lacked more advanced driving assistance features. Parking assistance was available with front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and an optional Park Assist system that could steer into parking spaces. The Macan had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.