2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as the factory options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out were limited to a Firenze Red paint color and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim added to the sophisticated ambiance. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with the SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle priced at $98,420, including destination charges. Notable design features included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, all contributing to its aerodynamic profile with a drag coefficient of 0.29. The interior boasted a luxurious, high-tech appearance with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid presented a more subtle exterior design, with the RX 350h Luxury test vehicle in Iridium (silver) appearing nearly identical to the standard RX 350, save for the badge on the liftgate. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, distinguished itself with a Copper paint job, blacked-out grille, matte-black 21-inch wheels, and aggressive styling. The RX models maintained their blunt-nosed appearance, with a wheelbase stretch that reduced rear overhang, making the 2023 RX look smaller despite its similar size to the outgoing model. Inside, the RX adopted a cleaner, minimalistic design with fewer controls and an improved 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. Pricing for the new RX models was not announced, but estimates suggested the RX 350h Luxury would be just over $60,000, and the RX 500h F Sport Performance around $70,000.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and comfort with driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. The SUV was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, offering 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque in the SE P360, and 395 hp and 406 lb-ft in the SE Dynamic P400. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was standard in the Autobiography P440e, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft with an estimated 51 miles of electric range. A 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 was available for early-build models but was temporarily unavailable. The Range Rover Sport's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds, and it could tow up to 7,716 pounds. Fuel efficiency was better than expected, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, and real-world testing showed 22.3 mpg on an evaluation route. The SUV featured a new vehicle architecture with a 35-percent increase in torsional stiffness, adaptive damping air suspension, and various driving modes. However, it struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz on twisty roads. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, with impressive ground clearance, approach, breakover, and departure angles, and advanced off-road technology.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a more efficient powertrain with the RX 350h, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and hybrid system producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to average 36 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed 32 mpg. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder and hybrid system, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. However, its fuel economy was lower, with an estimated 27 mpg combined, and real-world testing showed 20.9 mpg. The RX 500h featured an adaptive damping suspension, Dynamic Rear Steering, and Active Sound Control, enhancing its driving dynamics. The RX 350h felt more secure in curves and less busy on uneven pavement, thanks to its lower center of gravity and electric assist motor. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a more engaging driving experience, with greater confidence in corners and a responsive powertrain.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel with a low dashboard, upright windshield, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with 20-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, however, was less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage within the cabin was decent, though some compartments were shallow or narrow.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable interior with ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and effective climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard-grade leather. The rear seat offered good leg support and legroom, though headroom was tight due to the battery pack placement and lower roofline. The RX's cargo space was 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, an improvement over the previous model but still less than some competitors.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use, with difficulties in accessing features and unreliable voice commands. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system with connected services plans, including a cloud-based navigation system and Intelligent Assistant. The system worked reasonably well, though it had some limitations, such as only displaying one screen menu at a time and suffering from reflections. The RX also offered a head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, though these could be distracting and difficult to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were not as smooth or reliable as expected.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid included Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with features like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. It also offered Proactive Driving Assist, which maintained a safe following distance and recharged the battery through regenerative braking. The RX's safety systems generally operated with refinement and accuracy, though some features, like the curve-speed reduction tech, were less effective.