2022 Lexus RX vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

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 the modern and sporty design introduced in its 2020 facelift, featuring a revised grille and other exterior enhancements. Competing with 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 that balanced eye-catching design with careful restraint.

The F Sport trim was the most 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. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with nearly a dozen color combinations, while the F Sport added sporty elements like model-specific badging, Scored Aluminum trim, and NuLuxe synthetic leather. Despite its high-quality materials, the center stack felt dated, and the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim were less comfortable than expected.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner maintained its rugged, adventure-ready design, a nod to its roots in the 1980s SUV craze. Unlike many modern SUVs that evolved to car-based platforms, the 4Runner stayed true to its pickup truck underpinnings, sharing a relationship with the Toyota Tacoma. This design choice allowed the 4Runner to cater to off-road enthusiasts, while the Toyota Highlander handled family-hauling duties. The 4Runner's high ride height, boxy proportions, and sharply angled front bumper emphasized its off-road capabilities.

Inside, the 4Runner's functional design was evident, though it showed its age with a dash layout reminiscent of the late 2000s. The 2022 model offered several trims, including SR5, Trail Special Edition, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Limited. Standard features on the SR5 included push-button start, remote keyless entry, a power-sliding rear window, satellite radio, multiple USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Trail Special Edition added unique features like 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels, a Yakima LoadWarrior cargo basket, and a 40-quart premium accessory cooler. The TRD Sport and Limited trims focused on road-oriented features, while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro catered to off-road enthusiasts with enhancements like a locking rear differential, beefed-up skid plates, and crawl control.

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 front-wheel drive standard on the RX 350 and all-wheel drive available. The hybrid RX came exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's 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, and a Sport+ drive mode, but these features did not significantly enhance the driving experience.

The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and isolating road noise effectively. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was estimated at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 combined, with slight reductions for all-wheel drive and the three-row L model. The RX 450h hybrid achieved better fuel efficiency, with 31 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 30 combined.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with a single engine option, a 4.0-liter V6 producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, powered either the rear wheels or an available 4WD system with low range. While the V6 provided a decent jump off the line, it felt underwhelming in most driving situations. The 4Runner's ride was harsh and cumbersome, with significant body roll and a rough ride over bumps. However, these critiques faded when the 4Runner ventured off-road, where its suspension absorbed rocks, bumps, and root beds effortlessly. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models included features like Crawl Control and a locking differential, enhancing their off-road capabilities. The 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds, more than most car-based crossovers but less than a typical compact pickup.

The standard two-row Lexus RX offered 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 ample at 44.1 inches, while rear legroom was 38.0 inches. The three-row L models, despite sharing the same wheelbase, had limited space for anything but groceries. The RX 350L featured a 2/3/2 seating configuration, with optional second-row captain's chairs. Cargo space in the two-row RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The three-row models offered just 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, increasing to 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down and 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows folded. The rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the high load-in height made loading cargo challenging. However, the RX included thoughtful interior features like a dedicated smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, quick-access head-up display button, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner provided a maximum of 89.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the two-row version, with 47.2 cubic feet behind the second row. The three-row model offered slightly less space, with 88.8 cubic feet maximum, 46.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and just 9 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The third row was optional on the SR5, SR5 Premium, and Limited models, increasing seating capacity from five to seven. The 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate but featured a power-open/close rear window, making it easy to stow items in the back. Despite its age, the 4Runner's cabin was functional, though not as spacious or efficient as more modern SUVs. There were plenty of storage spaces for gear, but the overall interior packaging could have been better.

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 screens sat within a cove on top of the center stack, creating a lip that partially blocked icons and made tapping the screen difficult. The alternatives, voice commands and a touchpad, were also frustrating to use. The touchpad was hypersensitive and unintuitive, while the drive mode selector next to it was often mistaken for an infotainment control knob. Despite these issues, 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, premium audio systems, navigation, heated and ventilated seats, and more. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with hard buttons and dials surrounding the screen. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth connectivity, Satellite Radio, and multiple USB ports. While the screen size could not be upgraded, navigation, HD radio, and a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system were available. The 4Runner's infotainment system was straightforward and relied on tactile controls, making it easy to use even with gloves on. However, it lacked advanced features like a head-up display, which would have been helpful for off-road driving.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, a pre-collision system with cyclist and pedestrian detection, 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 headlight rating. The NHTSA awarded the RX four stars overall, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner included the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance features, such as forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree parking camera system were available as options. The TRD Pro also featured an off-road camera system. The 4Runner earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA for frontal and side-impact testing and three stars for rollover testing. It had not yet been evaluated by the IIHS. The 4Runner was backed by a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.