2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX offered a range of trim levels including the base 350, F Sport, and L for the gas powertrain. It even had a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport accommodated five passengers, while the L denoted a three-row, seven-passenger variant. After a design overhaul for the 2020 facelift, the 2022 model retained its modern and sporty essence, standing out with aggressive styling among its competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Razor-sharp character lines and angular features reminiscent of a boomerang adorned the front and rear of the RX, achieving a balance between excess and elegance. The vehicle's paint offerings expanded to seven colors, with F Sport models welcoming a unique Grecian Water option. The F Sport, being performance-oriented, featured enhancements like 20-inch wheels, a distinctive front fascia, and black exterior accents that heightened its athletic appeal.

Inside, the RX’s cabin echoed luxury across all trims, with the F Sport adding an extra sporty touch. Nearly a dozen interior color combinations were available, and the F Sport distinguished itself with Scored Aluminum trim and specific badging, paired with NuLuxe synthetic leather. Despite its luxurious trimmings, the center stack felt a bit dated, carrying an accumulation of buttons. While the refreshed infotainment touchscreens sat atop this stack, it hadn't undergone a redesign in seven years. Seats in the F Sport were notably less cushioned, and lumbar support lacked height adjustment, affecting overall driving comfort. The limited-edition Black Line trim emphasized aesthetics with exclusive black-colored elements and contrast gray stitching.

Comparatively, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 was presented in six diverse trim levels. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, known for their rugged two-part face design, stood out. The Adventure trim flaunted an aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, and aesthetic orange interior accents. However, it lacked genuine off-road prowess compared to the TRD Off-Road trim, which boasted real skid plates and more substantial black cladding.

The 2023 RAV4’s interior, while practical, leaned toward basic, except for the upgraded Adventure trim, which added orange stripe seats and accents to the center console. The cabin featured a frameless rearview mirror that provided a hint of premiumness. The RAV4 offered different upholstery levels, from fabric on the LE and XLE trims to SofTex synthetic leather on higher trims. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and dual-zone climate control was standard on all but the base trim.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 ran on a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h combined a V6 with two high-torque electric motors, producing a total of 308 horsepower. All RX models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the F Sport model, despite its performance tag, lacked the sporty drive its name implied. The engine’s drone resembled that of a turbocharged four-cylinder, and acceleration was underwhelming.

The F Sport Handling package in our test vehicle included an adaptive variable suspension and sport steering but failed to transform the RX’s driving dynamics significantly. The drive modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+—altered throttle response and gearing, but the differences between Normal and Sport/Sport+ modes were negligible. The RX excelled in ride comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing road imperfections smoothly and maintaining a tranquil interior.

Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was rated at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. AWD and three-row L models lowered these figures slightly. The RX 450h hybrid performed better with 30 mpg combined, and the RX 450hL hybrid maintained similar numbers despite its larger size.

For the 2023 Toyota RAV4, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque powered the vehicle. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Although it lacked the excitement in acceleration, it performed adequately. The engine noise was noticeable but not overly loud. The Adventure trim, despite its rugged looks, was not genuinely equipped for off-roading compared to the TRD Off-Road trim with its specially tuned suspension and all-terrain tires.

The 2022 Lexus RX standard two-row model offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably seating four adults, with a snug fit for five. Front seat headroom was 39.4 inches, with 39.1 inches in the rear. Legroom was generous at 44.1 inches in the front and 38.0 inches in the back. The three-row L model shared the same wheelbase, resulting in limited space. Cargo space was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expandable to 32.6 cubic feet with seats folded. The three-row model provided 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, going up to 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down, and 58.48 cubic feet with both rows folded. However, rear seats did not fold flat, and a high load-in height made cargo handling slightly cumbersome. Thoughtful features like an adjustable-height cup holder and dedicated smartphone slot enhanced practicality.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 seated five and offered 37.7 inches of front headroom (with moonroof) and 39.5 inches in the rear, accommodating taller rear passengers more comfortably. Front row legroom was 41 inches, while the rear offered 37.8 inches, somewhat confined compared to rivals. The RAV4’s back seat was narrower than competitors’. However, it had generous front-row storage, including an elongated shelf and large door pockets. The cargo capacity was 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, extending to 69.8 cubic feet with seats folded, positioning it favorably in its class but behind leaders like the Honda CR-V.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen, with an available 12.3-inch upgrade. Both screens, repositioned for better driver access during a 2020 refresh, still posed ergonomic challenges due to a lip obstructing the bottom icons. The touchscreen was responsive but coupled with frustrating voice commands and an aggravating touchpad controller. Misplacement of controls often led to incorrect selections, but the RX offered a wealth of tech amenities such as multiple USB ports, smartphone integration, wireless charging, premium audio systems, and personalized connectivity through the Lexus App.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced an updated infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen standard, and a 10.5-inch screen for higher trims. The new software supported OTA updates, and the inclusion of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was standard. Voice command functionality improved user interaction. Our RAV4 Adventure tester had the upgraded system with an 11-speaker JBL audio and an associated cost of $3,490. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, and a 12.3-inch version was exclusive to the Limited trim, optionally added to the TRD Off-Road.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping and lane-tracing assist, a pre-collision system, and automatic high beams. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display were standard. The RX earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS if equipped with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received four stars overall from the NHTSA, with top marks in side crash tests and slightly lower scores in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 incorporated Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, with lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, high-beam LED headlights, a pre-collision system, and adaptive cruise control across all trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard starting at the XLE trim. The updated Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control was beneficial for adaptive cruise control in low-speed scenarios. The RAV4 achieved a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS for 2023, demonstrating high levels of crash safety performance.