2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in base 350, F Sport, and L trim levels with an additional hybrid model distinguished as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport were configured for five passengers, while the L variant offered a three-row, seven-passenger seating arrangement. The design of the 2022 Lexus RX, a continuation of its 2020 facelift, was modern and sporty with aggressive styling that stood out in a competitive segment against models like the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

The car featured distinctively sharp character lines and angular elements, especially around the front and rear, which gave it an eye-catching yet balanced appearance. The F Sport model, for example, showcased a more athletic look with elements such as 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, and a unique front fascia featuring larger air intakes. Even with basic paint like Nebula Gray Pearl, the RX held its own in terms of visual appeal. Key updates in paint options included colors like Cloudburst Gray and Iridium, with Grecian Water exclusive to F Sport models.

Inside, the RX cabin carried the same luxury appeal across all trims. F Sport trims added exclusive sporty elements such as sports-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim, pedals, and footrest. Non-F Sport models provided various color combinations and materials, including semi-aniline leather and different metal and wood trims. However, despite its luxe aesthetics, the interior design seemed dated, particularly due to an overload of buttons on the center stack. Comfort-wise, the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim fell short with insufficient cushioning and lumbar support, often making it difficult to find an ideal driving position.

In terms of limited editions, the 2022 RX offered a Black Line trim with limited units that included black-colored exclusivities to the exterior and interior.

For the 2023 Jeep Wrangler, the design was all about rugged, off-road readiness with a no-nonsense approach. Available in both two-door and four-door Unlimited versions, drivers had the flexibility to remove the doors, lower the windshield, and choose from various top options for an open-air feel.

Standout features on the Wrangler included wide fenders with the American flag, Jeep’s iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and vintage-style exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out with ease, and the rear glass uplifted for simpler cargo access. The overall design remained functional yet simple, highlighted by unique paint options like the limited-edition Reign purple and the Earl color with a hint of aquamarine.

Interior practicality was high, featuring easy-to-clean mats and seats, chunky HVAC controls, and the traditional manual transfer case shifter. However, the layout was as straightforward as the exterior, lacking ambient lighting or luxurious touches like massaging seats.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX 450h hybrid variant boosted the output to 308 hp with the addition of two electric motors. Front-wheel drive was standard for the RX 350, while all-wheel drive was optional. The RX 450h came exclusively with all-wheel drive.

Despite its promising specs, the RX 350 F Sport model fell short of delivering a sporty driving experience. The engine note resembled a turbocharged four-cylinder rather than a V6, and acceleration was lackluster. Various drive modes like Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ offered minimal differentiation in driving dynamics, and paddle shifters added little excitement. Nonetheless, the RX excelled in ride comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches effortlessly. The fuel economy for the RX 350 was an estimated 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, with the RX 450h hybrid offering an impressive 30 mpg combined.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler was built for off-road supremacy, with multiple powertrain options to suit varying needs. It offered a standard V6 engine with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque or a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft. A 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 provided 260 hp and a massive 442 lb-ft of torque for torque lovers. For adrenaline seekers, the Rubicon 392 packed a 6.4-liter V8 engine with 470 hp and torque, capable of 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid came with 21 miles of all-electric range.

Our test vehicle, the Rubicon 392, demonstrated exhilarating performance capable of burnouts and tackling rough terrains alike. Features like the Off-Road Plus button and the Selec-Trac and Rock-Trac transfer cases, along with the Xtreme Recon package which enhanced crawl ratio to 58:1, made it a formidable off-roader. However, the on-road performance of the 392 version had its challenges; the brakes struggled to cope with the V8's power, and the steering was notably vague.

The standard two-row Lexus RX boasted 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably accommodating four adults, with the middle rear seat suitable for short trips. Front row headroom stood at 39.4 inches, and rear headroom at 39.1 inches, paired with 44.1 inches of front legroom and 38.0 inches in the rear.

The three-row L models shared the same wheelbase as the two-row versions, leading to a compromised third-row space, suitable mainly for groceries. The standard cargo space was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats down. The three-row configuration reduced cargo space to 7.45 cubic feet with all seats up, increasing to 23.03 cubic feet with the third row folded and up to 58.48 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered less generous cargo space, measuring 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, but practical features like a hard top that could be removed in one piece. Various top options and charging points enhanced the Wrangler's overall usability.

While the Wrangler’s front seats were comfortable, the rear seats, especially in four-door models, were tight. Storage options for small items were limited, with tiny glove boxes and center consoles. For ease of access to the rear cargo, the soft top's plastic rear window could be cumbersome, particularly in cold weather.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen with a larger 12.3-inch option. Despite updated positioning, the screen's placement in a cove on the center stack presented ergonomic challenges and visual obstructions. Additionally, the touchpad controller was difficult to use. However, infotainment features included six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and various premium audio systems.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running Uconnect, with an 8.4-inch screen available in higher trims. While appearing complex initially, the system was straightforward, particularly Jeep’s off-road pages which provided in-depth driving data. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with practical features like a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches for aftermarket additions.

The 2022 Lexus RX included the Lexus Safety System 2.0+ as standard, offering adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision detection, and intelligent high beams. Additional standard features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The vehicle received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights but scored only four stars from the NHTSA overall.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler, while delivering mandatory rear-view cameras, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control as standard, lacked in other departments. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert were only standard on the Rubicon 392, otherwise optional. Lane-keeping assist was not available. The IIHS gave mixed safety ratings, with headlights on some trims rated poorly, and the Wrangler earned four stars in the NHTSA frontal crash test, though only three stars for rollover resistance.