2023 Volkswagen ID.4 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 the modern and sporty design introduced in its 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 and athletic appearance with 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside 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. Non-F Sport models could be optioned with a mix of NuLuxe or semi-aniline leather seats and various metal and wood trim pairings. Despite the high-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces, the center stack felt dated due to an abundance of buttons. The RX provided a comfortable ride, though the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport were less than pleasant, with disappointing lumbar support and challenging driving position adjustments.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received subtle styling updates, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design to improve aerodynamics. All wheel designs and colors were new for 2023, and the rear VW logo now lit up. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable as an EV compared to VW's gasoline models, it lacked the upright profile and added ground clearance of traditional SUVs, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. However, this was a common trait among many current electric vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Bolt EUV.

The ID.4 was based on VW's MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs with built-in modularity to support various models. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, including a minimalist design and an overall feeling of quality. The base ID.4 Standard model, aside from a manual driver's seat, didn't feel like much of a downgrade from the higher-level ID.4 Pro S. Leatherette upholstery with seat and door-panel inserts made partly from recycled fibers was standard for 2023.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h added two high-torque electric motors to the V6 for a combined output of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive (FWD) standard on the RX 350 and all-wheel drive (AWD) available. The hybrid RX came exclusively with AWD.

Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's real-world performance was underwhelming. The engine note resembled a turbocharged four-cylinder rather than a V6, and acceleration was unimpressive. The F Sport trim, with its front and rear performance dampers and adaptive variable suspension, failed to deliver significant changes in driving dynamics. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and providing a serene ride. EPA estimates for the RX 350 were 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 combined, with slight variations for AWD and three-row models. The RX 450h hybrid achieved a combined 30 mpg, with 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, available only with RWD. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus retained the 82-kWh pack, available with RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models delivered 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling.

The ID.4's AWD models offered acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks like the VW Golf GTI and Golf R but lacked the handling prowess. The ID.4 allowed too much body roll to be entertaining on twisty roads, though it provided a comfortable and refined ride for long drives. The regenerative braking system didn't support one-pedal driving, offering a more familiar experience for EV newcomers.

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, on the same wheelbase, offered limited space for anything but groceries. The RX 350L had a 2/3/2 seating configuration, with optional second-row captain's chairs.

Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. Three-row models offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down, and 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The rear seats didn't fold completely flat, and the high load-in height made loading cargo challenging. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, quick-access head-up display button, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 provided more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front and rear legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. Cargo space was 30.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, surpassing most entry-level EVs. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in interior space, the ID.4 was the most practical SUV among affordable EVs.

The ID.4 also offered some towing capability, with a quoted capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. VW made small interior changes for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console, a better phone spot, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

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 design created a lip in front of the screen, partially blocking icons and forcing awkward tapping motions. The touchpad controller was hypersensitive and unintuitive, often mistaken for the drive mode selector.

However, the RX offered a long list of quality tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, dual- and tri-zone climate control, premium audio systems, navigation with cloud-based updates, and heated and ventilated seats. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 made the formerly optional 12.0-inch touchscreen standard on all models, replacing the 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remaining standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard.

Despite the updates, the user experience remained similar, with sharp graphics and a choice of smartphone-like icons or a traditional split-screen view. The natural-language voice recognition was intuitive, but the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting and lacked physical feedback. The ID.Light feature, part ambient lighting system and part AI assistant, changed colors based on drive mode and provided navigation cues, though it was easily overlooked during normal driving.

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 with cyclist and pedestrian 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 with GPS vehicle tracking.

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 headlights rating. The NHTSA gave the RX a four-star overall rating, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS' highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for front crash prevention. The only blemish was an "Average" score for the standard headlights.

The ID.4 came with a good complement of standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0 with adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering. Emergency Assist 3.0, Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system were also standard for 2023.