2022 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had some subtle styling changes that made it a bit sportier. Volvo redesigned the front fascia to include "air blades" flanking either side of the grille, which breathed a breath of fresh, sporty air into the vehicle’s appearance. The rear bumper was revamped to hide the tailpipes, contributing to a more streamlined look. All models benefited from new wheel designs. A reworked front grille housed sensors for driver-assist systems, now secreted behind a heated Volvo logo, ensuring optimal functionality in cold weather.

The XC60 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with several other models in the Volvo lineup, including the XC90, S90, S60, V90 Cross Country, and V60 Cross Country. Inside, little was changed except for a new digital instrument cluster. The interior maintained its clean layout, characterized by a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal clutter. Our B6 R-Design test car added a hint of flair with aluminum mesh speaker grilles and elaborately textured seats, but the interior generally felt more subdued compared to other Volvo models. The Inscription trim level did offer a more luxurious experience with Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Conversely, the 2022 Lexus RX touted a modern and aggressively styled design language. Lexus offered the RX in several trims including the base 350, F Sport, and L, with a RX 450h hybrid also available. The RX 350 and F Sport models seated five, whereas the RX L provided seating for seven. A grille revision and other exterior embellishments retained the RX's sporty appearance since its 2020 facelift. Distinctive razor-sharp character lines and angular features across the front and rear gave the RX a boomerang-like look that stopped just short of excessive, achieving a satisfying visual balance.

The F Sport model elevated the sportiness with design elements like 20-inch wheels, black-housed mirrors, dark window trims, and unique fascias with larger air intakes. Both front and rear bumpers also deviated in design from the base and L variants, making the F Sport trims stand out just that much more. Inside, the RX offered a slew of nearly a dozen color combinations barring the F Sport trim, which retained its sporty theme with model-specific badging, scored aluminum trim, sporty pedals, and NuLuxe synthetic leather available in black or dark red.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the former T5 and T6 variations. Both powertrains paired a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system and integrated starter generator, capable of temporarily adding 13 horses. The B6 even added an electric supercharger to the mix.

The B5 offered a total-system output of 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 provided 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The B5 was available with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the B6 came exclusively with AWD. Performance figures saw the XC60 B5 doing zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds (6.6 seconds with FWD) and the XC60 B6 achieving the sprint in 5.9 seconds.

For those who preferred more power, the XC60 Recharge (plug-in hybrid) delivered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, doing zero to 60 mph in 5 seconds. The Polestar Engineered trim intensified the output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, cutting the sprint time down to 4.9 seconds. With Öhlins adjustable dampers, Akebono brakes, and increased overall performance, the Polestar variant aimed to please those seeking a higher level of engineering.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350, powered by a standard 3.5-liter V6, churned out 295 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. The RX 450h hybrid model added high-torque electric motors for a combined output of 308 hp. AWD came standard in the hybrids, while FWD was standard in the gas-powered models with AWD as an optional upgrade. Despite its sporty looks, the Lexus RX lagged in delivering genuine performance. A subdued engine note and average acceleration times made the RX F Sport feel more like an exercise in style rather than speed.

The F Sport model did have front and rear performance dampers, as well as an additional F Sport Handling package, adding an adaptive variable suspension, a sound generator, sport steering, and a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. Yet, switching between its various drive modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+—yielded negligible differences in driving dynamics. Instead, the RX excelled in comfort and silence. The suspension soaked up road imperfections, and the cabin remained quiet even on long drives.

Fuel economy ratings further reinforced the RX's comfort-centric design. The RX 350 offered a combined 23 mpg, dropping by 1 mpg each for the AWD and three-row L variants. The RX 450h hybrid delivered more impressive stats with a combined 30 mpg, and the RX 450h L offered nearly the same despite the extra row.

Interior measurements for the 2022 Volvo XC60 remained competitive. Front-seat headroom was above average, though rear-seat headroom notably matched the lowest in its segment with the Audi Q5. Legroom in both rows was average. Cargo space was another story. Mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up, expanding to 49.8 cubic feet when folded. Plug-in hybrid models lagged slightly with 21.1 cubic feet up and 49.3 cubic feet down, tailing behind most other luxury crossovers.

The Volvo XC60 did, however, offer exceptional forward visibility and a commanding driving position. Pinched roofline notwithstanding, rear visibility was surprisingly good, and large exterior mirrors helped navigate without over-relying on driver aids.

The Lexus RX, with its two rows, provided 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume. It comfortably accommodated four adults, with five being a tight fit, especially on the middle rear seat for long journeys. Headroom measured 39.4 inches in the front and 39.1 inches in the rear. Front-seat legroom, at 44.1 inches, was generous, while rear-seat legroom, at 38.0 inches, held its own.

Three-row L models, despite sharing the same wheelbase, crunched down on usability—the third row was best reserved for groceries. The two-row RX offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet when those seats were folded. The third-row L models provided a paltry 7.45 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. However, rear seats did not fold completely flat, and loading height remained high due to the bumper design.

Inside, thoughtful features abounded, such as a dedicated smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holders, quick-access head-up display button, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 underwent a significant tech overhaul. The 9-inch touchscreen, now running on the Android Automotive operating system, brought with it a litany of new features. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and built-in WiFi hotspot came standard. Google Assistant provided voice control, while Google Maps facilitated navigation. Android users enjoyed seamless sync, and the Google Play Store opened doors to third-party apps like Spotify. Over-the-air (OTA) updates kept the system current. No slight to Apple users, the system promised compatibility, though lacking the added benefit of syncing Google profiles.

Graphics were clear, and the sideways swiping accessed individual menus effectively. The digital instrument cluster's "Calm" setting minimized distractions by removing the map.

For the 2022 Lexus RX, standard infotainment came via an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch version optional across all trims. Despite a repositioning in earlier models, accessing the screen remained awkward. Both screens sat atop a somewhat obstructive center stack. Icons at the bottom suffered from partial blockage, and fingernail length or hand size further interfered with easy tapping.

Once engaged, the screen responded quickly. Voice commands and a touchpad offered alternatives, but the latter's hypersensitivity made it frustrating. Positively, the Lexus RX did not lack for tech features—six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, WiFi hotspot, nine- to 15-speaker audio systems, navigation, climate control, and heated/ventilated seats were among the highlights.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 carried a strong reputation for safety. Although crash-test scores for the 2022 model were not available, the similar 2021 version earned top marks. The IIHS awarded it Top Safety Pick+, while the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic post-collision braking, driver-attention monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist debuted in 2022, enhancing safety further. The optional Pilot Assist package fused adaptive cruise control and automated lane-centering, aligning with similar systems from competitors.

The Lexus Safety System 2.0+ came standard in the 2022 Lexus RX. The suite featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist and lane-tracing assist, pre-collision with cyclist and pedestrian detection, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety inclusions were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The Lexus app contributed Collision Assistance benefits.

Earning Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, the RX fell just short of their top tier due to its headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded it four stars overall, missing out on the highest rating.