2023 Ford Bronco 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 in the midsize luxury crossover segment, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling, characterized by sharp character lines and angular features, particularly in the front and rear. The F Sport trim, in particular, added a performance-oriented look with 20-inch wheels, black-housing mirrors, and unique front fascia.

Inside, the RX maintained a luxurious appeal across all trims, with the F Sport adding sporty elements like model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. The cabin offered nearly a dozen color combinations, with the F Sport featuring NuLuxe synthetic leather in black or dark red. Despite the high-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces, the center stack felt dated due to an abundance of buttons. Comfort was a mixed bag, with the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport being less cushioned and lacking adjustable lumbar support. The limited-edition Black Line trim added exclusive black-colored features and contrast gray stitching for a premium look.

The 2023 Ford Bronco was offered in nine distinct trim levels, all sharing a blend of retro-cool styling and modern engineering. Its blocky shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights were unmistakable. The Base trim had a primitive look with steel wheels, while the Raptor trim showcased a wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The new Heritage trim added nostalgic elements like a white grille, roof, and wheels, along with unique plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's styling was not just for show; functional features like cleats above the headlights and raised "fins" helped with cargo securing and obstacle navigation.

Inside, the Bronco continued its rugged theme with a broad dash and sealed switches for easy cleaning. The interior materials prioritized durability over luxury, with features like drain plugs and marine-grade vinyl upholstery. Sturdy handholds and a grid-like mesh on the seat backs added to the practical design. While the materials were not as refined as typical SUVs, the Bronco was quieter than a Jeep Wrangler, making it more comfortable for daily driving.

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 added two electric motors for a combined 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 AWD. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX lacked sporty performance, with a V6 engine that hummed rather than growled and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive suspension and other tuning bits, but the driving experience remained lackluster.

The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and isolating road noise effectively. EPA estimates for the RX 350 were 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 combined, with slight drops for AWD and three-row models. The RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined, with 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices: a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 in the Raptor with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. The base four-cylinder engine was adequate for most driving needs, while the 2.7-liter V6 was better suited for the heavier four-door model. The Raptor's engine provided excessive but enjoyable power.

The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical SUV but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler. It tracked straight on highways and had a quieter cabin. The high-riding dimensions and big tires required careful handling on curving roads, but the Bronco felt more confident than expected. Maneuvering the four-door model was aided by several cameras, making it less stressful.

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 was 39.4 inches, and rear headroom was 39.1 inches. Front legroom measured 44.1 inches, with 38.0 inches in the rear. The three-row L models had limited space for anything but groceries. 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. The three-row models offered only 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 flat, and the high load-in height made cargo access challenging. Thoughtful interior features included a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space. The two-door model had 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door model offered 35.6 cubic feet and 77.6 cubic feet, respectively. The rear seats did not fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo and sleeping. The Bronco's fenders and doors were easily removable, with the fenders requiring no tools and the doors detaching with a single bolt. The interior featured netted door pockets, a rubberized tray for phones, and accessory rails atop the dash. The four-door model provided easier access to the rear seats compared to the two-door.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available as an option. The touchscreens were moved closer to the driver in the 2020 refresh but still had ergonomic issues. The screen's position within a cove on the center stack created access problems, partially blocking icons and requiring awkward tapping. The touchpad controller was frustrating to use, and the drive mode selector's placement next to it caused confusion. Despite these issues, the RX offered a range 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, and heated and ventilated seats. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The 2023 Ford Bronco used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. drive modes optimized engine and suspension settings for various terrains, making off-roading easier for novices. Experienced off-roaders could manually select features like transfer case gearing and sway-bar disconnects. Numerous camera views helped navigate tight spaces, and the Trail Turn Assist feature allowed for sharp turns. The Bronco also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford's SYNC 4, and an optional wireless charging pad. Most Broncos came with an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12-inch display available for easier use.

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 features were 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 headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave the RX four stars overall, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the four-door Bronco a "Good" rating in most crashworthiness tests, with an "Acceptable" rating for head restraints and seats. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway assist, and Trail Turn Assist. The Mid package added blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package included front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system, while the Luxe package added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.