2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

Toyota introduced the RAV4 to North America in 1996 as a compact alternative to the large SUVs dominating the market. Young buyers quickly embraced the RAV4, which stood for "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-Wheel Drive." Over five generations, the RAV4 evolved in size and sophistication, shedding its "cute-ute" label to become a leading crossover SUV. The 2022 RAV4, a continuation of the 2019 redesign, often topped the SUV sales charts in the United States.

The 2022 RAV4's exterior design blended with the current crossover aesthetic, but closer inspection revealed unique details. Angular wheel arches and crisp lines contrasted with the body-side bends, while expressive headlights and a distinctive grille gave it a playful yet aggressive look. Inside, the RAV4 featured a layered dash with contrasting textures and colors, anchored by a straightforward center stack. The interior design included a geometric pattern that tied various cabin elements together, enhancing the overall quality feel.

Lexus invited us to Santa Barbara, California, to test the redesigned 2023 RX models, focusing on the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance hybrids. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle, with its Iridium (silver) finish and 21-inch wheels, looked identical to the standard RX 350, lacking any hybrid-specific badges. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling.

The 2023 RX models maintained the RX's traditional blunt-nosed look, with a wheelbase stretch that reduced the rear overhang, making the SUV appear smaller despite its similar size to the outgoing model. Inside, the RX adopted a cleaner, more minimalistic design with fewer controls and a new Lexus Interface infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had an all-black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered three powertrain options. The gasoline-only model featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy for FWD models ranged from 27-28 mpg city/35 mpg highway/30 mpg combined, while AWD models achieved 25-27 mpg city/32-34 mpg highway/28-30 mpg combined.

The RAV4 Hybrid used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor to produce 217 combined net horsepower, with an EPA rating of 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway/40 mpg combined. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, with a 2.5-liter engine and an 18.1-kilowatt-hour battery pack, delivered 302 horsepower and could run up to 42 miles on electricity alone, achieving 94 MPGe combined.

Our test vehicle, a gasoline Adventure AWD model, provided smooth and immediate power delivery, thanks to its naturally aspirated engine and eight-speed transmission. The RAV4's car-like handling, aided by MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link suspension in the rear, made it popular among a wide range of drivers. AWD models featured Multi-Terrain Select tuning and dynamic torque vectoring for improved handling.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350h, with a hybrid powertrain based on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving an estimated 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system, delivered 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 27 mpg combined.

The RX 500h F Sport Performance featured an adaptive damping suspension, upgraded brakes, and rear-wheel steering, providing a more engaging driving experience. However, accessing the various drive modes required navigating through the infotainment system, which could be distracting. During testing, the RX 500h averaged 20.9 mpg, while the RX 350h achieved 32 mpg, short of the estimated 36 mpg but still impressive.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, classified as a small SUV, offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. It had a payload capacity of 1,050-1,230 pounds, depending on the configuration. Towing capacity varied by model, with the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds. Inside, the RAV4 provided ample space for four adults, with plenty of storage options throughout the cabin.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350h Luxury trim featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone automatic climate control, ensuring a comfortable ride. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable front seats with larger side bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrids' battery packs were located under the back seat, resulting in excellent leg support but tight rear headroom.

The new RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, a significant improvement over the previous model. However, it still fell short compared to some rivals.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, six-speaker audio, and compatibility with Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims featured a 9-inch touchscreen, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, and navigation. The RAV4 Prime included additional USB ports, auxiliary power outlets, and a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Lexus RX introduced a new infotainment system, Lexus Interface, which required activation of connected services plans for full functionality. The system included a cloud-based navigation system, Intelligent Assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the touchscreen could only display one menu at a time, and the lack of a tuning knob was a drawback. The available head-up display and dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel added to the tech experience but had usability issues with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 featured Toyota’s Star Safety System, including enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. It also had eight airbags and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and more. The RAV4 received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included new features like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available. While the safety systems generally worked well, some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had usability issues.