2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged look. However, its side profile introduced a swooping character line that added unnecessary visual weight, making it appear somewhat bloated. The rear design echoed the front grille but felt disjointed compared to more cohesive competitors like the Kia Telluride. Inside, the Highlander had an unconventional yet less jarring interior with an asymmetrical dash and a high-mounted infotainment touchscreen. The Bronze Edition's light grey fabric upholstery was a questionable choice, prone to dirt and stains, surrounded by Softex synthetic leather that felt more like vinyl.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid maintained a similar appearance to its non-hybrid counterpart, with subtle differences like the badge on the liftgate. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with a blacked-out grille and aggressive styling. The RX's design was not considered gorgeous, with a blunt nose and a wheelbase stretch that made it look smaller. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic approach with fewer controls and a new infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury featured luxurious Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a sportier interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 243 horsepower, paired with a CVT and standard FWD. AWD was available via an electric motor for the rear axle. It reached 60 mph in just over 8 seconds, slightly slower than gasoline-only SUVs. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid initial response, with the gasoline engine supplying adequate power. The CVT's drone was noticeable, especially on hills. The Highlander offered a soft ride, with a suspension that smoothed bumps and a quiet cabin, making it a comfortable family vehicle.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered different powertrains. The RX 350h had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine with 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 36 mpg combined and 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid system with 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but only 27 mpg combined. The RX 500h had an adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering, providing athletic handling. However, accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system, and fuel economy fell short of estimates.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's armrest was awkwardly placed. Storage was plentiful, with trays and bins for personal items. The second row was spacious, with sliding and reclining captain's chairs or an optional bench for eight-passenger capacity. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided comfort with ten-way power-adjustable front seats in the RX 350h Luxury, featuring premium leather and climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way adjustable seats with larger bolsters. Rear leg support was excellent, but headroom was tight due to the battery placement. Cargo space improved to 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with seats folded, surpassing the previous model but still trailing some rivals.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option on higher trims. The system was responsive, with physical shortcut buttons and climate controls. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa were standard, with navigation and JBL audio available on upper trims.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system requiring subscription services for full functionality. It included cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. The system had some quirks, like single-menu viewing and screen reflections. The head-up display with touch-sensing control pads was available but problematic with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid earned a five-star NHTSA rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick+. It included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and more. Some systems needed refinement, like abrupt adaptive cruise control stops and sensitive lane-departure warnings.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring motorcycle detection, evasive steering, and more. Proactive Driving Assist was appreciated, but some features like curve-speed reduction were less favored. The Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park systems were available but untested.