2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar 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 accommodated five passengers, while the L trim offered a three-row, seven-passenger configuration. The RX's design, refreshed in 2020, maintained a modern and sporty appearance, standing out with its aggressive styling among competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X5. The exterior featured sharp character lines and angular elements, creating a striking yet balanced design. The RX offered a variety of paint options, with the F Sport trim adding unique features like 20-inch wheels and a distinctive front fascia. Inside, the RX's cabin exuded luxury, with the F Sport trim adding sporty elements. Despite its high-quality materials, the center stack felt dated, and the seats, particularly in the F Sport, lacked comfort. The limited-edition Black Line trim added exclusive design touches for those prioritizing aesthetics.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that announced wealth and taste. Its exterior was a scaled-down version of the larger Range Rover, featuring a sporty yet refined look with a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and signature Land Rover elements. The Velar's design included subtle adjustments, such as a sloping roof and wide shoulder crease, creating a streamlined appearance. Special details like taillight lenses and air ducts added to its allure. The R-Dynamic trim introduced bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sleek, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The interior featured three screens with sharp graphics, and upper trims offered additional luxury touches. Despite its base trim, the Velar maintained a high level of fit and finish, showcasing its premium nature.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined a V6 with two electric motors for a total of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the RX 350 and all-wheel drive available. The hybrid RX 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 included performance dampers and an optional F Sport Handling package, but the driving experience remained largely unchanged between drive modes. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, offering a smooth ride. Fuel efficiency varied, with the RX 350 achieving 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, while the RX 450h hybrid offered 30 mpg combined.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in improved handling and steering compared to previous Land Rover models. The Velar's lower center of gravity and lighter weight contributed to its cornering and braking capabilities. The optional air suspension provided a plush ride and adjustable clearance. 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's performance was average, with the turbo-four providing decent acceleration. The Terrain Response system offered various driving modes, but the Velar's street-oriented design limited its off-road capabilities. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid system delivered higher performance, with up to 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain enhanced the Velar's appeal, offering luxury buyers the performance they expected.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered a standard two-row configuration with 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably accommodating four adults. The three-row L models shared the same wheelbase, resulting in limited space for the third row. Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row models offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, increasing to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holder, but the rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the cargo area's load-in height was high.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar offered a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design sacrifices practicality for aesthetics, with a lack of discrete control for the parking brake being a notable issue. The new Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, but the Velar's design choices, such as the multifunction transmission button, raised concerns about safety and functionality. Despite these drawbacks, the Velar's interior maintained a high level of quality and style.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were positioned atop the center stack, creating access issues due to the design's lip. The infotainment system was responsive, but the touchpad controller was frustrating to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. Additional amenities included premium audio systems, navigation, and heated and ventilated seats. The Lexus App provided remote engine start and vehicle settings customization.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system simplified the layout with logical arrangements and customizable options. The system included a voice assistant, air filter, and navigation with traffic detours. The Velar offered a range of features, such as a heated windshield, 360-degree cameras, and an off-road mode. The instrument panel could display full-width maps and reconfigure gauges. Standard features included LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo. The Velar's technology package enhanced its appeal, offering a modern and user-friendly experience.

The 2022 Lexus RX came equipped with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, and a pre-collision system. Additional 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. It received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked U.S. crash-test ratings but scored well in the European NCAP. 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 Velar's safety package provided a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, enhancing its safety credentials.