2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek embodied the adage “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Car shoppers flocked to crossovers for their rugged looks, available all-wheel drive (AWD), and tall driving positions, so Subaru imbued its Impreza hatchback with those same characteristics. Visually, the Crosstrek was differentiated from an Impreza by black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height that afforded 8.7 inches of ground clearance. These changes allowed the Crosstrek to do a reasonably good impression of an SUV, giving it more character than the base Impreza hatch. The interior, however, remained functional but somewhat plain-looking, with some questionable design choices like the clashing Plasma Yellow Pearl accents in the Sport trim.

The 2022 Lexus RX continued to offer a modern and sporty design, having received a revised grille and other exterior flourishes for its 2020 model-year facelift. Amongst its key competitors in the midsize luxury crossover segment, the RX offered the most aggressive styling with razor-sharp character lines and angular features reminiscent of a boomerang. The F Sport trim was the performance-oriented option, featuring 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, and a unique front fascia. Inside, the RX cabin maintained a luxury appeal with nearly a dozen color combinations available, although the center stack felt a bit dated. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion on long drives.

For 2021, the Subaru Crosstrek offered a second gasoline powertrain option. The new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine, standard on the Sport and Limited trim levels, produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trim levels continued with the previous 2.0-liter boxer-four, which produced 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. All trim levels came with standard AWD, and the system included torque vectoring and X-Mode for loose surfaces. Despite the SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek's handling was predictable, with a comfortable ride and low wind noise. However, the new 2.5-liter engine, despite its additional power, didn’t feel dramatically different, and acceleration was still accompanied by plenty of droning from the CVT.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was equipped with a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h added two high-torque electric motors to the V6 for a combined output of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX lacked sporty performance, with unimpressive acceleration and a hum rather than a growl from the engine. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive variable suspension and other tuning bits, but the driving mannerisms remained hesitant. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and isolating road noise effectively. The RX 450h hybrid offered better fuel efficiency, with an estimated 30 mpg combined.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. Cargo space was 20.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While competitive against other small crossovers in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind in cargo space compared to some rivals. CVT-equipped models featured a rear-seat reminder, and up front, there was a handy cubby hole with USB and auxiliary ports. However, storage space was minimal, and the driving position, while higher than an Impreza’s, didn’t allow for towering over other vehicles like traditional crossovers or SUVs.

The standard, two-row 2022 Lexus RX had 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, fitting four adults comfortably. Headroom was 39.4 inches in the front and 39.1 inches in the rear, with 44.1 inches of front legroom and 38.0 inches in the back. The three-row L models, with a 2/3/2 seating configuration, offered limited cargo space with only 7.45 cubic feet available with all seats upright. With the third row down, cargo capacity increased to 23.03 cubic feet, and up to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the load-in height was high due to the large bumper. The RX featured thoughtful built-in interior features like a dedicated smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trim levels added WiFi and SiriusXM satellite radio, while an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard on the Limited trim and optional on lower trims. The 8-inch touchscreen was easy to navigate and responsive, with large analog knobs and buttons for vital functions. A second screen above the main touchscreen displayed redundant information, and chunky buttons on the steering wheel controlled EyeSight driver-assistance features.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available as an option. The touchscreens were moved 5.5 inches toward the driver but still had ergonomic issues. The design created a lip in front of the screen, partially blocking icons and forcing downward taps. The touchscreen was quick and responsive, but the alternatives—voice commands and a touchpad—were frustrating to use. The RX featured six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The IIHS awarded the 2020 model, virtually identical to the 2021 version, a “Top Safety Pick” rating. EyeSight driver-assist features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. However, the positioning of EyeSight’s cameras limited functionality, as they could be blocked by windshield wipers or wash out in direct sunlight.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+ as standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional standard 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 but missed the top-tier “plus” designation. The NHTSA gave the RX a four-star overall rating, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.