2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander presented a bold and distinctive front styling, characterized by the automaker’s “Dynamic Shield” grille and lighting concept. Despite its striking front, the design from the front wheels to the rear bumper was balanced and appealing. The Outlander was available in several trims, all featuring handsome 20-inch wheels. The SEL trim, in particular, offered a luxurious interior with premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof, creating an upscale ambiance. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with black and aluminum accents, though some plastics reminded occupants of its compact crossover status.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models, maintained a more understated exterior, with the RX 350h Luxury test vehicle lacking any hybrid-specific badges. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its performance-tuned design, featuring a blacked-out grille and aggressive styling. The interior of the RX models adopted a cleaner, minimalistic appearance, with the RX 350h Luxury offering Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance featured a sportier all-black interior with artificial suede and aluminum trim. The RX models were not considered gorgeous, with a blunt-nosed design and a visually shortened rear end, but they offered a contemporary approach to textures and detailing.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system was available, though it used a brake-induced torque-vectoring system. The Outlander offered various driving modes, but its performance was underwhelming, especially at higher speeds or during acceleration on ramps. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, leading to a brittle ride on uneven surfaces. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 26 mpg for AWD models.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two hybrid models: the RX 350h and the RX 500h F Sport Performance. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, with an expected fuel efficiency of 36 mpg. It accelerated to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. It featured an adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering, providing a dynamic driving experience. However, the RX 500h averaged 20.9 mpg, below its estimated 27 mpg. The RX 350h, on the other hand, averaged 32 mpg, making it the more fuel-efficient option.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, intuitive controls, and impressive digital displays. However, the center console had wasted space, and the third-row seat was cramped, suitable only for children. The Outlander offered 11.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in use, expanding to 33.5 cubic feet with it folded, and a maximum of 79.7 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior, with the RX 350h Luxury offering ten-way power-adjustable front seats and premium leather. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters. The rear seat offered excellent leg support but limited headroom due to the battery placement and lower roofline. The RX models had 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the seat folded, an improvement over the previous model but still less than some competitors.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. The system included a two-year subscription to Mitsubishi Connect services and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. The system included cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. While the system worked well, it had limitations, such as only displaying one menu at a time and suffering from reflections. The available HUD had dual-function control pads, which were challenging to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured Mi-Pilot Assist, a Level 2 driver-assist system similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist. It included forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. However, the steering assistance was intrusive, and crash-test results were unavailable.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. It also had Proactive Driving Assist and a new Traffic Jam Assist system. While the safety features operated with refinement, some, like the curve-speed reduction tech, were less effective. The front cross-traffic alert system and driver monitoring system had limitations, especially with polarized sunglasses.