2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling transformation, shedding some of its previous quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip, and the black molding strips on the roof were removed. The test model, finished in a dusky gray-green called Nordic Forest Pearl, showcased one of the two new color options. The HR-V's interior followed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, featuring a metal honeycomb grille that concealed the vents, touch-sensitive reading and map lights, and a sculptural center console. The EX-L trim, in particular, offered perforated leather seats with additional shoulder support, dual-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and an eight-way power driver's seat, creating a comfortable and premium cabin experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid maintained its familiar design language, with the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models sharing a similar appearance to the standard RX 350. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its performance-tuned features, including a blacked-out grille, matte-black 21-inch wheels, and aggressive bumper designs. Inside, the RX adopted a cleaner and more minimalistic look, with fewer controls and a new Lexus Interface infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury model featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, exuding luxury, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a sportier interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. Despite its visual weight over the front wheels, the RX's new design made it appear smaller than its predecessor.

The 2023 Honda HR-V was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. This marked an improvement of 17 hp and 11 lb-ft over the previous model. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) featured a Step-Shift function to mimic the sound of a traditional automatic transmission during acceleration. The HR-V offered various drive modes, including Normal, Snow, ECON, and Sport, each tailored to different driving conditions. While the HR-V was fun to drive on mountain roads, it was not overpowered, and competitors like the Kia Seltos and Ford Bronco Sport offered more powertrain options.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, on the other hand, offered a range of hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to achieve 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance boasted a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but had a lower fuel economy rating of 27 mpg. The RX 500h featured an adaptive damping suspension, upgraded brakes, and rear-wheel steering, enhancing its athleticism. However, accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system, and the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations during testing.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a center console featuring a shelf for drive mode controls and USB ports. The HR-V's fastback design slightly reduced rear-seat headroom, but it still provided ample space with 39.4 inches in the front and 38.0 inches in the rear. Cargo space measured 24.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded. The HR-V's interior volume varied by trim, with the EX-L offering 97.3 cubic feet of passenger space. The rear seats featured a 60/40 split and a nearly flat floor when folded.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid prioritized comfort and space. The RX 350h Luxury trim featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger side bolsters. The RX's battery packs were located under the rear seat, providing excellent leg support and legroom for rear passengers, though headroom was slightly compromised. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, a significant improvement over the previous model.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured an updated infotainment system with a tablet-style touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wireless versions available on the EX-L. The EX-L also offered a 9-inch infotainment display, a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad, and an eight-speaker audio system. The HR-V's technology package included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch color touchscreen display.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, the Lexus Interface, which required subscription plans for full functionality. The system included cloud-based navigation, an Intelligent Assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system had some limitations, such as the inability to view multiple screen menus simultaneously and issues with reflections. The RX also offered a head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, though these could be challenging to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. The HR-V also featured traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beams. While the 2023 model had not been crash-tested, the 2022 HR-V received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included new features like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The RX also offered Proactive Driving Assist, which maintained a safe following distance and recharged the battery through regenerative braking. However, some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations. The RX also featured Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, though these were not tested during the review.