2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series, offered a range of trim levels from base to Luxury, with prices starting at $37,950. The NX 350, particularly in F Sport and Luxury trims, stood out with its distinctive Lexus design, featuring a prominent spindle grille and refined styling details. The SUV was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, providing more passenger and cargo space. The interior boasted a minimalist design, with most functions integrated into a 14-inch touchscreen, which, while modern, could be challenging to navigate quickly. The NX 350 F Sport distinguished itself with sporty features like a unique grille, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and sport-bolstered seats, offering a more dynamic driving experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models, maintained a similar appearance to the standard RX 350, with subtle hybrid badging. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, featured a more aggressive design with a blacked-out grille and matte-black wheels. The RX's interior adopted a cleaner, minimalistic look, with contemporary textures and ambient lighting. The RX 350h Luxury model offered a luxurious feel with Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a sportier interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. Despite its visual updates, the RX's design still carried a visual weight over the front wheels, making it appear smaller than its actual size.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with 239 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 39 mpg, and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 302 horsepower and a 36-mile electric range. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The NX 350 F Sport added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension, enhancing its dynamic performance. The NX 350's turbocharged powertrain provided a more engaging driving experience than the base NX 250, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. However, the turbocharged engine lacked the refinement of its German rivals, and the NX's off-road capabilities were limited by its ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a more efficient RX 350h with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, producing 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and Direct4 AWD system, delivered 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. The RX 500h featured an adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering, enhancing its athleticism and driving confidence. However, accessing driving modes required navigating the infotainment system, and the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 20.9 mpg. The RX 350h, on the other hand, offered a more secure and comfortable driving experience, with an average of 32 mpg.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided a comfortable interior with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and padded surfaces for added comfort. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample space, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The NX's panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat, enhancing the sense of space. The NX offered 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Luxury trim featured ambient lighting with 14 themes, although this was not tested during the review.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly in the RX 350h Luxury trim, offered a comfortable and luxurious interior with ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and a three-zone automatic climate control system. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard-grade leather. The RX's battery placement under the rear seat provided excellent leg support but limited rear headroom due to the lower roofline. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down, a significant improvement over the previous model.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a standard 9.8-inch touchscreen and an optional 14-inch screen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and five connected service subscription plans. The NX also offered a 10-speaker sound system, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural voice commands, and the NX included a complimentary three-year trial subscription to Drive Connect. Additional technologies included a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and a digital key capability.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring activation of free trial subscriptions for connected services. The system included Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. The RX's touchscreen allowed only one screen menu at a time, and the lack of a tuning knob was a drawback. The available head-up display included dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which were challenging to use with polarized sunglasses. Despite these issues, the RX's infotainment system represented a significant upgrade.

The 2022 Lexus NX came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driving assistance systems such as Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also included an Emergency Driving Stop System, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist technology. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, an adaptive front lighting system, and semi-autonomous parking assist. A Vision Package offered additional features like a panoramic view monitoring system and front cross-traffic alert.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid also featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with new motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The RX included Proactive Driving Assist, which maintained a safe following distance and recharged the battery through regenerative braking. The RX's front cross-traffic alert system provided visual indicators on the HUD, but these were not visible with polarized sunglasses. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, although these features were not tested during the review.