2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2023 Lexus RX

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a testament to Land Rover's long-standing tradition of crafting luxury SUVs. It exuded class and elegance, with a design that was unmistakably Range Rover. The Velar's sleek, sporty package was a scaled-down version of the larger Range Rover, featuring a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a distinctive trapezoidal roof. Its exterior was both blocky and streamlined, with flush door handles and special details like taillight lenses that created an illusion of depth. The interior, though less opulent than previous models, maintained high-quality materials and an exemplary fit and finish, with a polished black center stack and sharp graphics on its three screens.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX presented a modern and sophisticated design, with a shorter height, broader width, and longer wheelbase than its predecessor. Its exterior styling was familiar yet fresh, with a spindle-style grille, upswept body sides, and a light-blade taillight design. The RX's interior was thoroughly modern, featuring fewer buttons and knobs, digital instrumentation, and a choice of touchscreen displays. Quality levels were high, with options for genuine leather and simulated suede. The RX offered a range of trims, including hybrid and performance hybrid options, ensuring a variety of choices for consumers.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a unique handling experience for a Land Rover. It featured a lower center of gravity and lighter weight, enhancing cornering and braking. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar also offered an optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, available in two states of tune, providing up to 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. The Velar's Terrain Response system and optional air suspension added to its versatility, though its off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX 350 Luxury trim displayed occasional torque steer and excess body motion, while the F Sport Handling trim offered a more secure and sure-footed ride, especially in Sport mode. The RX 350's adaptive suspension and upgraded brakes in the F Sport Handling trim enhanced its performance. Lexus claimed the RX 350 FWD could accelerate to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, with the AWD version achieving it in 7.2 seconds. Fuel economy was expected to average 25 mpg for the FWD and 24 mpg for the AWD, though real-world results were slightly lower.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar offered a tighter interior space compared to midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were sometimes frustrating, though the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability with a cleaner interface and faster response.

The 2023 Lexus RX provided a comfortable interior with options for premium leather upholstery and modern design elements. The RX 350 Luxury trim featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats, while the F Sport Handling trim offered sportier seating. The back seat was roomy and supportive, though taller passengers might find headroom tight. Lexus improved cargo space over the previous generation, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, though it remained below average for the segment.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout and logical arrangements. It featured voice activation, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield, among other useful features. The system's navigation could suggest traffic detours and automatically begin directions for commuting. The Velar also offered a 360-degree camera system and optional adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

The 2023 Lexus RX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, available with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connected services. The system allowed for user profiles and streaming through embedded apps. The 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system was available, though it required some adjustment for optimal sound. The RX also offered a color head-up display and digital key smartphone technology, though the HUD could be difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by U.S. agencies, but it scored well in the European NCAP with a five-star rating and a 93-percent score for front and side impact tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

The 2023 Lexus RX came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. New semi-autonomous driving technologies included Proactive Driving Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, and Advanced Park Assist. While LSS+ 3.0 was impressive, some features, like curve-speed reduction, were less refined. The HUD's visibility issues with polarized sunglasses and the driver monitoring system's sensitivity were noted as potential drawbacks.