2023 Genesis GV80 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, 7-passenger configuration. The design, which had been refreshed in 2020, maintained a modern and sporty appearance, standing out with its aggressive styling among competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X5, and Genesis GV80. The RX's exterior featured sharp character lines and angular elements, creating a striking yet balanced design. The F Sport trim, in particular, emphasized performance with 20-inch wheels, unique front fascia, and sportier exterior details. Inside, the RX continued its luxury appeal, with the F Sport adding sporty touches like Scored Aluminum trim and NuLuxe synthetic leather. However, the interior design felt somewhat dated, and the comfort of the seats, especially in the F Sport, was less than ideal.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication with its elegant exterior, featuring quad-lamp headlights and a bold grille. The SUV's stately presence was enhanced by its 16-foot length and 22-inch alloy wheels on the Prestige trim. The rear design echoed the quad-lamp look with four-part taillamps, and the hands-free liftgate added practicality. Inside, the GV80 impressed with its luxurious touches, including quilted leather seats, metal and matte wood trim, and a unique two-spoke steering wheel. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with features like a 14.5-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the infotainment system had a learning curve, the overall experience was enhanced by features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a head-up display. The GV80's interior was a pleasant place to spend time, offering a blend of luxury and practicality.

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 the V6 with 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 the F Sport designation, the RX's performance was underwhelming, lacking the sporty feel its name suggested. The engine note was more akin to a turbocharged four-cylinder, and acceleration was unimpressive. The F Sport Handling package added features like an adaptive variable suspension and a Sport+ drive mode, but the changes in driving dynamics were minimal. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, offering a smooth ride and isolated road noise. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was estimated at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, with the hybrid RX 450h achieving 30 mpg combined.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a turbo 3.5-liter V6 producing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. While the GV80 wasn't particularly quick, taking around five and a half seconds to reach 60 mph, it excelled in highway driving. The power delivery was smooth, and the electronically controlled suspension adjusted to road conditions for a comfortable ride. Active noise cancellation further enhanced the quietness of the cabin, making the GV80 a pleasant companion for long drives.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in its standard two-row configuration, comfortably seating 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 down. The three-row version offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats up, increasing to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with a host of luxury features. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front and rear seats available. The Ergo Motion driver's seat offered a unique fatigue-reducing function. The GV80's interior was adorned with Nappa leather, a suede headliner, and a panoramic glass roof. The SUV provided ample cargo space, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 84 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Towing capacity was rated at 6,000 pounds, adding to its practicality.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were positioned atop the center stack, creating ergonomic challenges. The infotainment system offered voice commands and a touchpad, though the latter was frustrating to use. The RX included features like six USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start and vehicle settings customization.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the dial offered a tactile experience. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly. The GV80 boasted remote smart parking assist, allowing the vehicle to park itself without the driver inside. Additional tech features included wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and a 110-volt outlet.

The 2022 Lexus RX was 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 were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it missed the top-tier designation due to its headlights. The NHTSA awarded it four stars overall.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. A standout feature was the blind-spot video feed displayed in the digital gauge cluster. The GV80 also had Highway Drive Assist, which provided hands-on/eyes-up driving aid on approved highways. The NHTSA gave the GV80 a full five-star safety rating, while the IIHS rated it Good for crashworthiness and Superior for front crash prevention.