2022 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in several trims, including the base 350, F Sport, and L for its gas powertrain, with a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport seated five, while the L trim offered a three-row, 7-passenger configuration. The 2022 model retained its modern and sporty design from the 2020 facelift, featuring a revised grille and other exterior enhancements. Competing with the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling, characterized by sharp character lines and angular features.

The F Sport trim was the most performance-oriented and athletic in appearance, boasting 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, dark window trimming, F Sport badging, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. The base and L trims featured 18-inch wheels, bi-LED headlights, integrated LED turn signals, a rear spoiler, and LED daytime running lights and brake lights. The RX's interior mirrored its exterior luxury, with F Sport models adding sporty elements like model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. However, the center stack felt dated, and the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim were less comfortable than expected.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered a wide range of models, from the base trim to the luxurious King Ranch, with prices ranging from $33,745 to $54,495, excluding the $1,495 destination charge. The lineup included the rugged Timberline and the sporty ST-Line, which added a dynamic look to the popular XLT version. The King Ranch trim, our test vehicle, featured 4WD, Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, bringing the MSRP to $59,880.

The King Ranch trim had exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts and King Ranch branding on the seats and center armrest pad. The interior, while mostly high-quality, exhibited some questionable materials for its price point. The Explorer's design, based on a rear-drive platform, allowed for a long and tall hood, short front overhang, rakish roofline, and tapering greenhouse, giving it a taut, athletic appearance. The blacked-out roof pillars created a "floating roof" visual effect, adding to its appeal.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with two high-torque electric motors for a total output of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. The hybrid RX came exclusively with AWD. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's real-world performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration.

The F Sport trim included front and rear performance dampers, an adaptive variable suspension, a sound generator, sport steering, and a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. Drive modes included Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with hybrid models adding an EV mode. However, the differences between Normal and Sport/Sport+ modes were minimal. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and providing a serene ride. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 combined, while the RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims came with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine generating 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic and RWD, with 4WD available. The hybrid drivetrain, available for the Limited and Platinum trims, combined a 3.3-liter V6 engine with an electric motor for a total output of 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, achieving up to 27 mpg combined. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, standard on the ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, produced 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,600 lbs and 21 mpg combined.

Our King Ranch 4WD test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg. The twin-turbo V6 provided ample power and satisfying acceleration, making it a good choice for those needing extra towing capacity. The Explorer's ride was robust, handling bumps and off-road terrain well. The King Ranch trim felt athletic and engaging to drive, with the sport-tuned Explorer ST offering even more performance with its High-Performance option package.

The standard two-row Lexus RX had 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably seating four adults, with a snug fit for five. Front headroom measured 39.4 inches, with 39.1 inches in the rear. Front legroom was 44.1 inches, and rear legroom was 38.0 inches. The three-row L models, with the same wheelbase as the two-row version, offered limited space for anything but groceries. The RX 350L had a 2/3/2 seating configuration, with second-row captain’s chairs available.

Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. The three-row models had only 7.45 cubic feet of space with all seats upright, increasing to 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down and 58.48 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the high load-in height made loading cargo challenging. However, the RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a dedicated smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided ample comfort for families of four, with the option to carry five with the second-row bench seat. The third-row seat was best suited for children due to the rear-drive platform, low rear roofline, and tapered tail. The King Ranch trim included triple-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. Massaging front seats were standard, with 14-way power adjustment for the driver and eight-way for the front passenger.

The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, suitable for long-distance driving, while the second-row seats were nearly as accommodating. The third-row seat was difficult for adults to access and lacked legroom. Practical storage space within the cabin was limited, with missed opportunities for additional storage. The King Ranch had a hands-free power liftgate, revealing 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Folding the third-row seats down created 47.9 cubic feet of space, and with both rear rows folded, the maximum cargo volume was 87.8 cubic feet.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available as an option. Despite being moved 5.5 inches closer to the driver in the 2020 refresh, the touchscreens were still ergonomically unfriendly. The design created a lip in front of the screen, partially blocking icons and making it difficult to tap accurately. The touchpad was hypersensitive and unintuitive, adding to the frustration.

However, the RX offered a long list of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, dual- and tri-zone climate control, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The 2022 Ford Explorer featured two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system: an 8-inch touchscreen and a 10.1-inch portrait-style touchscreen. The smaller screen was well integrated, while the larger screen looked like an afterthought. Our test vehicle had the full suite of Sync 3 technology, including FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa functionality, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and navigation.

The King Ranch trim included wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen premium sound system. However, the Sync 3 system's voice recognition was less effective than the newer Sync 4 technology. The King Ranch also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0, which could autonomously park the Explorer.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional standard safety 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 when equipped with optional triple-beam LED headlights but missed the top-tier "plus" designation due to its headlights rating. 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.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for all trims. The NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for the 2022 model, but the 2021 Explorer received five-star ratings except for rollover resistance, which was four stars. The Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The Explorer also featured post-collision braking and MyKey programmable vehicle functions.