2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a fresh take on electrified mobility, distinct from the original Ioniq. It featured a minimalist yet intricate exterior design, characterized by the Parametric Pixel theme, which incorporated numerous LED lights and pixelated elements. The Ioniq 5's aerodynamic wheels and silver-contrast plastic bits added to its unique look. Inside, the cabin was a stark contrast to the exterior, offering a serene "Living Space" with sustainable materials and a Relaxation mode for the driver's seat.

In comparison, the 2022 Lexus RX continued its modern and sporty design, especially with the F Sport trim. The RX's exterior was marked by sharp character lines and angular features, giving it an aggressive yet restrained look. The F Sport trim added 20-inch wheels, black-housing mirrors, and unique front and rear fascias. Inside, the RX maintained a luxurious appeal with various color combinations and high-quality materials, although the center stack felt a bit dated.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered three trims—SE, SEL, and Limited—and came in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The base SE Standard Range featured a 128-kW rear motor with 168 horsepower and a 220-mile range. The extended-range models had a 168-kW rear motor producing 225 hp and a 303-mile range. The AWD variants boasted a dual-motor system with a total of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well, especially in Sport mode, but it wasn't designed for driving enthusiasts.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h added two electric motors for a combined 308 hp. Both models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. The RX 450h came exclusively with AWD. 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 and an adaptive variable suspension, but the driving experience remained uninspiring.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 sat on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offering a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. It provided 133.7 cubic feet of interior volume, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The Ioniq 5's cabin was comfortable and spacious, with a moveable center console and supportive leatherette seats. The "Living Space" theme was evident in the soft touchpoints and practical design elements.

The 2022 Lexus RX had 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the standard two-row model, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models offered limited cargo space, with only 7.45 cubic feet available with all seats upright. The RX's interior featured thoughtful built-in features like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a head-up display button. However, the rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the cargo area's load-in height was high.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 impressed with its next-generation high-voltage system, offering ultra-fast charging and vehicle-to-load capabilities. It could reach 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes and gain 68 miles of range in 5 minutes using a 350-kW charger. The Ioniq 5 also featured a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, and 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment, all with an anti-glare coating.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the screens were ergonomically unfriendly, with a lip that partially blocked icons. The touchpad was hypersensitive and unintuitive, making it frustrating to use. However, the RX offered a range of quality tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. It also featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 was expected to earn high safety ratings, although official ratings were not yet available.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, and a pre-collision system. Additional standard 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 when equipped with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.