2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

When shopping for a 2022 Jeep Wrangler, buyers had to decide between the classic two-door or the more practical four-door model. Depending on this choice, they could select from a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid. The standard six-speed manual transmission could be upgraded to an eight-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive (4WD) was standard, with multiple systems available depending on the trim level. The Wrangler came in four core trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions. The High Tide special edition, based on the four-door Sport S trim, featured LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, and a Gorilla Glass windshield, among other upgrades. The Xtreme Recon package added a 1.5-inch suspension lift, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, and 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, specifically the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance, was visually similar to the standard RX 350, with only subtle differences like badges and wheel designs. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint job, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. The RX models had a blunt-nosed design, with a wheelbase stretch that reduced rear overhang, making the new 2023 RX look smaller despite being about the same size as the outgoing model. Inside, the RX adopted a cleaner, more minimalistic appearance with fewer switches and a new Lexus Interface infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury trim featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide was equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option, and the test vehicle also had the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg, but the Xtreme Recon Package modifications reduced this to an average of 16.8 mpg over a week of driving. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique and immersive, with a rough-and-tumble feel, loud cabin noise, and frequent fuel stops. Despite these quirks, the Wrangler's off-road capabilities and open-top driving experience made it a beloved vehicle for many.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350h featured a hybrid powertrain based on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to average 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, produced 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension, upgraded brakes, and rear-wheel steering provided a dynamic driving experience. However, the RX 500h averaged only 20.9 mpg during testing. The RX 350h, on the other hand, averaged 32 mpg and offered a more secure and comfortable ride, making it a preferred choice over the standard RX 350.

Getting into and out of the 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide was challenging, especially with its raised suspension. The manual height adjuster for the driver's seat required regular re-adjustment. The Wrangler's seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery and a driving position close to the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield. Visibility was a mixed bag, with some areas offering excellent views and others requiring adjustments. Rear-seat passengers faced similar entry and exit difficulties but found agreeable accommodations once inside. Storage was limited, with netting on the lower door panels, a small tray on the dashboard, and a deep center console box. The tailgate, with its heavy 35-inch wheel, required careful handling when loading cargo. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350h Luxury trim featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and standard seat heating and ventilation. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable front seats with larger side bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrids' battery packs were housed under the back seat, resulting in excellent leg support but tight rear headroom. The new RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, a significant improvement over the old model but still falling short compared to some rivals.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on Sport S trim, had a relatively basic infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system. The test vehicle included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2023 Lexus RX featured a new infotainment system, Lexus Interface, which required activation of free trial subscriptions to various connected services plans. The system included Service Connect, Wi-Fi Connect, Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Drive Connect, with a cloud-based navigation system and an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. The touchscreen's size was appreciated, but it could only display one screen menu at a time, leading to constant fiddling with the virtual buttons. The screen suffered from reflections, and there was no tuning knob. The available head-up display had dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which were unmarked and could be distracting. The RX also offered a new Traffic Jam Assist system and Advanced Park semi-autonomous parking technology.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included both the Safety Group and the Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Marginal rating for protection in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) small overlap crash-test evaluation. The Wrangler's headlight performance was rated Poor for the standard lights and Marginal for the LED upgrades.

Every 2023 RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included a motorcycle detection system, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance with front cross-traffic alert, and a curve-speed reduction feature for the adaptive cruise control system. The RX also had Proactive Driving Assist, which automatically slowed the vehicle to maintain a safe following distance or speed on hill descents. The front cross-traffic alert system provided visual indicators on the head-up display, but these were not visible with polarized sunglasses. The curve-speed reduction tech was reactive rather than proactive, and the driver monitoring system could be blocked by a driver's forearm. The RX also offered a new Traffic Jam Assist system and Advanced Park semi-autonomous parking technology.